For the second consecutive year, we were honoured to partner with the Kusuma Trust and Speakers Trust to provide a few year 9 students with a rich, curriculum-enhancing cultural experience. Thanks to their generous sponsorship, students were given the opportunity to broaden their cultural capital and deepen their appreciation of both the curriculum and the wider world.
This year’s visit took place in May, at the Imperial War Museum — an inspiring and thought-provoking setting. The visit served not only as a cultural enrichment opportunity but also as a powerful vehicle for developing key oracy skills, including public speaking, active listening, deliberation, and constructive feedback. These skills are integral to our English curriculum, particularly in exploring the Power and Conflict context and the spoken language components of the course.
Throughout the day, students engaged in a focused inquiry into the role of art in wartime. Under the expert guidance of a museum facilitator, they were introduced to the subject through a stimulating briefing, before embarking on an interactive exploration of the museum’s collection. Working collaboratively, they identified and analysed significant artworks, capturing key insights using group iPads. The visit culminated in team presentations, where students articulated their learning and reflected on the pieces that resonated with them most.It was a day of meaningful engagement, critical thinking, and expressive growth — an unforgettable experience that truly exemplified the transformative power of education beyond the classroom.
