Early last Friday morning the young people of Y6 made the journey down to London for their annual visit to our UK capital, excited to visit the Houses of Parliament and a number of other fascinating landmarks.
The day began early, as we arrived in Jubilee Gardens next to The London Eye at 9:30am. The children ate their second breakfast in the sunshine before boarding their London Eye pods to enjoy the wonderful panoramic views of the city - picking out different well-known and recognisable buildings and locations during the rotation.
It was a very exciting start to the day, and set a tone of enthusiasm and interest that the children then maintained throughout the whole visit.
After leaving the London Eye we walked along the south bank of the Thames before crossing Westminster Bridge and making their past Parliament Square enroute to the Parliamentary Education Centre where they began what was a fascinating tour of our country's Parliament buildings.
The tour began with a surround-sound LED presentation, which furnished us all with some of the crucial history of parliament, from the time of the Magna Carta (Great Charter) all the way through history to the establishment of voting rights to all women in 1928.
They were then taken through into the Palace of Westminster, the King's Robing Room, The Lords' Common Room, The House of Lords debating chamber, past the thrones where the King sits to read his speech at the Opening of Pariliament, through the famous Central Lobby past the statues of some of our most significanr former Prime Ministers, including Sir Winston Churchill, before making their way to the gallery in the House of Commons to observe an actual debate involving different Members of Parliament, including ministers. This was the first time that one of our visits has coincided with an actual debate!
It was a thrilling experience, made all the more fascinating by the wealth of knowledge shared with us by our wonderful tour guides.
Finally, we entered the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Hall, built between 1097 and 1099. Here, they learnt about its many uses over its almost 1000 year history, including its use as courtroom for the trial of Guy Fawkes, a makeshift tennis court for Henry VIII and, of course, most recently as the primary site at which her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, laid in state.
Following this, we made the short walk past Parliament Square towards the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey, which was built in the year 960, making it even older than Westminster Hall! Here everyone was able to sit down amid the Abbey's ancient cloisters to eat their lunch and prepare for what was to prove a fantastic tour of one of our United Kingdom's most significant buildings.
After dividing up into smaller groups, the children were taken into the Abbey in search of various monarchs, writers and scientists who are entombed or remembered around the Abbey, and in its historic walls. In the months and weeks leading up to our visit, the children had been learning about many historical figures who have the honour of being memorialised in Westminster Abbey, including King Edward 'the Confessor', Sir Isaac Newton and King Henry V. The children brought their impressive knowledge to bear as they made their way around the abbey, demonstrating a genuine enthusiasm for its historical and cultural significance.
After leaving Westminster Abbey we walked down to Westminster Pier on The Embankment, and near New Scotland Yard to board a Thames river taxi, which then zig-zagged the river, collecting and dropping off passengers, all the way up to Tower Bridge.
Here, everyone disembarked and visited the famous Traitors' Gate at the The Tower of London, which was built by King William 'The Conqueror' during the 1070s. Again, the children of Y6 were able to apply their fantastic knowledge of the historical narratives and individuals linked to the site, including those of Lady Jane Grey, Anne Boleyn and even the patron Saint of our School, St John Fisher, who was imprisoned there for over a year, right up to his trial and execution on 22nd June, 1535.
Finally, exhausted, everyone boarded the coach make their way back home to Sheffield, but not before stopping for a delicious McDonalds meal on the way!
Our arrival back at school brought to a close a brilliant, action-packed day, full of valuable learning, culture and many exciting moments, which shall live long in the children's memories.
Our sincere thanks go to Mr MacInnes, who coordinated the day's wonderful adventures, Mrs Steenson, Mr Ramsden and Mr Pursehouse, who is Vice-Chair of our SJF Governors.
