Out and about with the English Department

Year 8 Scholars’ trip to Stratford-upon-Avon

As a reward for all of their hard work and efforts, the English and Drama Scholars from Year 8 were treated to a specially organised, overnight trip to Stratford-upon-Avon – the home of The Bard. Twenty one children spent two days soaking up the literary and theatrical atmosphere of Shakespeare’s birthplace.

They visited his family home in Arden Street, the houses of his wife, Ann Hathaway, and his daughter, Susannah, and his tomb in Holy Trinity Church. They enjoyed an educational tour of Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust and Museum, a boat trip along the River Avon, a slap-up Italian meal, and the obligatory shopping expedition. The highlight of the weekend was watching a stunning performance of Romeo and Juliet by the Royal Shakespeare Company at their newly refurbished theatre.

This was a truly wonderful trip and all who went really valued the experience. I hope that it will become an annual event.

Year 7 trip to Warhorse

Year 7 pupils went to the New London Theatre to see the National’s much celebrated production of Warhorse, based on the classic children’s book by Michael Morpurgo. The trip has become an annual event in recent years and once more staff and pupils were treated to an absorbing and thrilling performance. The cast of actors engaged our interest and emotion while the wonderful staging and evocative music further helped transport pupils to the scarred battlefields of WW1. The greatest marvel, however, were the horses, controlled seamlessly by a remarkably adept team of puppeteers. These lifelike creatures whinnied and galloped their way into our hearts ensuring a vivid and moving spectacle. Pupils enthused about the play, describing their highlights and impressions in the reviews they have drafted since returning to school.

Year 6 trip to Jungle Book

St Bede’s Year 6 recently visited The Theatre Royal in Brighton to see the Birmingham Rep’s production of TJungle Book.

The children left school decked out in a uniform of red, white and blue due to the trip taking place the day before ‘The Wedding’!!

The performance, which was loosely based on the classic children’s book by Rudyard Kipling, was an interesting production. The cast was relatively small, with the various members playing a variety of characters most effectively.

Although some of the more familiar songs from the film version of the book were not in evidence, there were some alternatives which proved to be especially popular with our pupils.

A most successful and enjoyable trip was rounded off with a piece of ‘wedding cake’ on our return to school.