At the end of last half term, a group of Year 11 students from Laurus Ryecroft headed to Berlin on a History trip.
The 2-day trip was organised in support of their GCSE History studies, but it also offered a great chance for students to explore and take in the culture of the beautiful city!
After spending the morning travelling, the group arrived at their hotel on Wednesday afternoon, ready to begin their historical journey!
They dropped off their bags and headed straight for their first destination; the Topography of Terror, a museum built on the former site of the SS central command,
Through a guided tour, students learned about the crimes and persecution carried out by the Nazi regime.
This was followed by an evening meal at an authentic German restaurant and time for everyone to unwind.
The following morning, students were up bright and early for a day jam-packed with activities.
A visit to the Sachsenhausen Memorial & Museum was first on the itinerary.
Here, they explored the grounds and learned about the history of the former concentration camp whilst reflecting on the tragic events of the past.
After stopping for lunch at a local restaurant, they headed to Checkpoint Charlie and set off on a two-hour walking tour of Berlin.
During the tour, they stopped at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and the Memorial to the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism.
The walking tour ended at the iconic Reichstag building. Students explored the building and enjoyed panoramic views of the city from the dome and roof terrace.
Next, students had dinner at an Indian restaurant before spending an evening at the bowling alley!
Friday marked the end of their trip, but before heading to the airport, the group took a final visit to the Resistance Museum.
A guided tour took them around the museum, where they learned about the ways that individuals and groups took action against the National Socialist dictatorship from 1933 to 1945.
The trip to Berlin was a fantastic and memorable experience for both students and staff.
Year 11 thoroughly took advantage of the chance to step beyond the classroom and explore the rich and powerful history centred around this capital city.