On Thursday 1st February, 50 History students from Years 10-13 travelled to Berlin for a four-day visit. After attending period 1 and 2 as normal, it was off by coach to Heathrow. A trouble-free flight saw us land at the new airport in Berlin in the early evening, and then it was a coach trip to our hotel in a converted factory in old East Berlin (which was a lot better than it sounds!) Takeaway pizzas were the ideal 'comfort food' after a day of travelling, and allowed students to settle in before the visits ahead.
On the Friday we were out for 13 hours. We started at Wannsee, visiting the villa where the Nazis decided, in 1942, on the Final Solution. To stand in the room where such a terrible decision was made brought a chill to many, as did the accompanying information. The peaceful lakeside setting was in stark contrast to the reason why the house is known. After an early lunch it was off to the Olympic Stadium, built for the 1936 games. Expert guides gave us a tour that covered both the history of the site and its current use as a sporting venue. Conflicted opinions abounded as students realised that the building was impressive, but that this was also what the Nazis intended visitors to believe. From there it was off to the Brandenburg Gate and then up into the dome of the Bundestag building, to admire great views of the city at dusk, and amazing architecture. Finally we headed to Mercedes Platz for a chilly visit to the Berlin Wall, and some shopping time, before a hearty meal and a tram journey back to the hotel.
Saturday dawned damp and drizzly, perfect weather in fact for a visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. The weather set the tone perfectly, and fitted the sense of misery that hung over the site. It was a sobering experience to hear about the death rates, and to visit the remains of a gas chamber amongst other things. After lunch, we went back to the hotel for some free time, including the option of exploring the local area. Our evening meal involved another tram journey and a German-themed meal at the foot of the iconic tv tower in Alexanderplatz.
A later start on Sunday eased us into another day of travel, as we returned home, and it was a tired group of young people (and staff!) that returned to School on Sunday evening.
There was obvious academic value in the trip, supporting as it did our studies in GCSE and A Level History. However, beyond this, it was an important visit to help students understand just how important it is that we don't forget the horrors of the past. They saw sites that bring home the fragility of freedom, and will help the realise the importance of the subject for a whole range of reasons.
My thanks must go to the students for exemplary behaviour (often remarked upon by guides), and to the staff (Mr Jackson, Mrs Grove, Ms Lawlor and Mrs Syms-Evans) who accompanied the visit and helped ensure that it was a great success.
Mr J Barnett, Head of Humanities