It has been a busy few weeks for our students this half term, with the calendar packed full of immersive trips designed to take learning far beyond the four walls of the classroom. At Sidcot, we offer a range of inspiring trips across all year groups and educational subjects, offering experiences beyond the curriculum and adding outside knowledge and real-world experience to the students' learning journey.
Whether it was the hushed intensity of a London orchestra hall or the high-energy environment of a regional bouldering competition, our students have been gathering inspiration, practising their technical skills, and exploring potential career paths. Read on for a closer look at each of these unique experiences and the impact they had on our students.
Our first Music Department trip of 2026 took us to the Southbank Centre in London to watch a spectacular concert of the Philharmonia Orchestra performing the music of 'Star Wars', the guitar concerto ‘Concerto de Aranjuez’ (made famous in the film ‘Brassed Off’) and - if that's not enough - a full showing of Holst's epic "The Planets" suite. Before the concert, we enjoyed browsing in some of London's largest and most legendary music shops, where students tested out cutting-edge synthesisers with motion control, new electronic ‘silent’ drum kits (much to the excitement, I’m sure, of sleep-deprived parents!), and explored some quirky and unique custom guitars. For many students, this trip was their first time seeing an orchestra live.
They were blown away by the virtuoso musicianship and, of course, the incredible wall of sound that The Philharmonia produced under superstar conductor Marin Alsop. We were captivated by a whole range of wonderful - and some unconventional - instrumentation. Students were encouraged to consider colour and texture throughout the programme, link what they saw from the performers to the sound they heard, and how they might replicate it in their own work. It was also very interesting to find similarities between ‘Star Wars’ and ’The Planets’ and to debate the balance of inspiration versus copying. I’m pleased to report that John Williams passed the trial… I’m sure he will be relieved!
We are so proud of this brilliant group for opening their ears and minds up to a wide variety of music, and for engaging with this new musical world so passionately.
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Our Sixth Form Art and Photography students enjoyed an action-packed three days in London, exploring some of the country’s most iconic galleries and museums, as well as discovering hidden creative gems off the beaten track.
Day One:
- Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel
- South Bank riverside walk with lunch by the river
- Nigerian Modern Art Exhibition
- Walk over Blackfriars Bridge to Trafalgar Square and the National Portrait Gallery
- Evening dinner in Chinatown
Day Two:
- Tate Britain and the Lee Miller Exhibition
- Travel to Sloane Square with lunch on King’s Road
- Saatchi Gallery: 40 Year Retrospective
- Victoria & Albert Museum: ceramics focus & Natural History Museum: natural world focus
- Free time for selfies and shopping at Selfridges and on Oxford Street, followed by dinner
Day Three:
- London Bridge and Shard viewing platform visit
- Borough Market: free time and lunch
- Tube to Aldgate East, East London
- Joy Gregory show at the Whitechapel Gallery
A-Level students drew inspiration for their upcoming exam and personal projects, while IB students explored ideas around audience, gallery, and site-specific work in preparation for curating their own shows.
Three full days of creative exploration provided an invaluable opportunity to immerse themselves in Art, and will no doubt make a significant impact on the work to be exhibited in the forthcoming IB and Summer exhibitions.
A huge congratulations to this fantastic group of students who engaged fully and made the most of this inspiring experience.
GCSE Art and Photography students enjoyed an inspiring research trip to London, gathering first-hand material for their exam unit while experiencing some of England’s finest galleries and creative spaces.
Art students found rich sources of inspiration at the Tate Modern, exploring contemporary artworks and innovative use of materials, while a visit to Theatre Picasso encouraged students to develop their observational drawing skills through focused sketching. At the Victoria and Albert Museum, students studied ceramics and sculpture, closely analysing form, texture and craftsmanship to inform their own practical work.
Photography students soaked up the vibrant atmosphere of London’s Southbank, capturing the energy of the city through architecture, street scenes and movement along the Thames. A particular highlight was discovering the work of Ben Wilson, who creates miniature artworks from pieces of found chewing gum, inspiring students to think creatively about unexpected materials and overlooked spaces.
Throughout the trip, students were impressive in their focus, behaviour and enthusiasm. They engaged thoughtfully with the artworks and demonstrated a genuine passion for learning outside the classroom. The experience provided valuable research opportunities and left students feeling motivated and excited to develop their exam projects further. It was a highly successful and memorable day that showcased the benefits of learning through direct engagement with the creative world.
Our GCSE Science students enjoyed an inspiring visit to ‘Science Live!’ in Bristol. They heard from leading scientists, including Dr Jessica Wade, Professor Sophie Scott, Professor Robert Winston, Professor Andrea Sella, and Professor Jim Al‑Khalili, each bringing science to life through engaging talks and real‑world examples. Students also benefited from two invaluable examiner sessions with Stewart Chenery, gaining practical advice on how to tackle GCSE questions with confidence. It was a fantastic day that left students motivated, informed, and excited about where science can take them next.
Textiles exam students had the pleasure of visiting the V&A to see the sold-out Marie Antoinette exhibition. The garments were beautiful and incorporated both historical pieces and modern interpretations by designers such as John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. These creations will help inform both coursework and exam studies across all year groups and enable some wonderful design ideas and garments for this year and next.
We had a fantastic evening, taking a brave group of students to watch '2:22 - A Ghost Story' at the Theatre Royal, Bath. The show was a masterclass in tension, with just one simple, realistic set and a relentless clock ticking toward that fateful time. Students were encouraged to think about how dialogue, lighting and sound can create tension and expectation. However they achieved this, we were all on the edge of our seats, waiting to see if you really could hear something in the house, every night, at 2:22am... No spoilers, but this show is a must-watch if you enjoy suspense, twists and turns, and plenty of humour along the way!
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Our Leiths Level 3 students have been soaking up London’s vibrant food scene and iconic sights, including a mandatory hello to Paddington Bear! Check out these highlights from their week of culinary discovery, captured by our students along the way.
Coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week, Year 12 and 13 Business students recently enjoyed an insightful enrichment trip exploring the real-world operations of global trade and logistics.
The day began at Bristol Port Company, where students learned how the site was transformed from a loss-making public asset into a thriving family-run enterprise. From discovering the WWII-era underground fuel pipeline to Heathrow to observing the massive scale of car exports and the port’s pivot into cruise operations, the tour brought classroom theory to life. The visit also highlighted the port's strong company culture, particularly its focus on safety and its active recruitment of apprentices into technical and business roles.
The afternoon continued at Business West, where students were introduced to the essential, high-detail world of import and export documentation. Young professionals Megan and Faith shared their career journeys, demonstrating how business qualifications can lead to specialised roles in supply chain planning and international compliance. Students explored complex concepts like product "origin" classifications and the logistics of temporary exports for global tours.
Ultimately, the day provided a valuable bridge between academic study and professional practice, showcasing the vast and diverse career opportunities within the international business sector.
During our BTEC Business trip, we visited Thatchers Cider Farm, where we had the opportunity to speak to Sophie Vider, Talent Development Executive, who works in recruitment and has previous experience in sales. This visit gave us valuable insight into how a large, well-established business operates and helped link our classroom learning to real-life business practices.
The latest round of the South West Schools’ Bouldering Competition was held at The Climbing Academy (The Mothership) in Bristol.
Students undertook 25 different routes of varying grades with some students choosing an orange score card, meaning they were to undertake ‘a power round’, where they could attempt the route as many times as they wanted, compared to the others doing a ‘flash round’, where they could only attempt it once from the moment they put their hand on the first hold.
Alongside the routes, they also participate in a mini hanging competition that varies with each round. This round, students had to hold onto two wooden balls and hang off them for as long as possible. It was certainly tough! There was mixed feedback this week, but most students agreed the routes were difficult. A big well done to everyone, and only 6 weeks to go until the final round!
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