The remarkable experience saw a 59-strong party, including pupils from Year 5 to Year 11, embark on an educational trip initiated by Senior Head Boy, Louis Brocklehurst, and Deputy Head Boy, Sam Thornton-West. As part of an initiative to raise pupils’ involvement in the school, the boys sourced the travel provider, designed the itinerary and created a detailed information pack for their fellow explorers.
The Beech Hall cohort were led on an intense experience which saw them bathing in the hot springs of the famous Blue Lagoon, and taking advantage of the natural minerals available with silica face masks.
The group were stunned during visits to the many outstanding waterfalls and the most active geyser in the area. They also tried the local delicacy, smoked shark.
For a key highlight, they donned crampons, an ice-axe, a helmet and harness before venturing up onto the well-known Solheimajoull Glacier to learn about the continually changing landscape.
Headteacher James Allen commented: “The visit to Iceland was a wonderful opportunity to bring together pupils of all ages in four days of exploration, wonder and learning. These experiences allow our pupils to contextualise their understanding from the classroom, improve their long-term memory of what they have learned, and enable them to make the bridge to higher-order learning, linking their on-site emotional responses to their pre-existing knowledge.
“Thanks to European Study Tours for their exceptional organisation, support and planning, which made the trip seamless, efficient and truly magical. One pupil described the trip as ‘amazing – the best school trip I have ever been on’.”
To find out more about Beech Hall visit www.beechhallschool.org
