By Señora Plaza (Spanish Teacher)
The Spanish Department took a group of Years 10 to Lower Sixth students to Madrid for four days during the half-term break. It was an unforgettable experience filled with art, history, and culture, offering everyone the chance to put their Spanish into practice and experience the language in its natural setting.
Over four days, we explored some of Madrid’s most iconic landmarks, from watching the sunset at Templo de Debod to boating across El Retiro Park, wandering through the Jardín Botánico, and taking in masterpieces at the Museo del Prado and Museo Reina Sofía. Each stop offered a new perspective on Spain’s artistic heritage and everyday life.
We immersed ourselves in the city’s rhythm, discovering the colours and sounds of El Rastro market, the beauty of Palacio Real and Teatro Real, and the taste of authentic Spanish life at Mercado de San Miguel. A flamenco workshop brought the culture to life, letting us feel the passion and movement that define this art form.
Señora Gálvez, Señora Stuart and I were delighted with the students’ enthusiasm and exemplary behaviour throughout the trip, representing the BGS community with pride. Madrid was a reminder that inspiration can be found everywhere, in its art and architecture, its music and food, and in the people who bring the city to life.
Bana Shadid (Lower Sixth) reflected: “My trip to Madrid was an incredible experience that I thoroughly enjoyed and learned so much from. I had the chance to use my Spanish with locals at restaurants and in markets completely on my own, which really boosted my confidence in the language. I absolutely loved the culture, the people, and the vibrant atmosphere that filled the city. Our itinerary was packed, but every bit of walking was worth it. We visited so many amazing places, including the Jardín Botánico, the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Museo Reina Sofía, and more. One of my favourite moments was trying authentic churros, they were delicious! I truly fell in love with the city, and this trip was an experience I’ll never forget. The friendships that blossomed and the memories we made were so special, and the teachers made everything even more enjoyable.”
Jasmine Murray (Lower Sixth) added: “The Spanish trip was so fun, we went to some great museums such as El Museo Reina Sofia where we saw some of Picasso's famous paintings and the Jardín Botánico was so pretty. My favourite part was when we went to El Retiro and went on the boats, the views were amazing.”
Narayani Joshi (Lower Sixth) commented: “I enjoyed the trip to Madrid for so many reasons. Even though it was a lot of walking, visiting the museums and gardens of Madrid was amazing. One of my highlights would have to be the flamenco class we took as it was so fun and a wonderful way to learn about the origins of flamenco. The best part, however, was simply being immersed in the Madrid culture and being able to practise Spanish in a real-world situation.”
View photos from the trip here.
