Over the Easter break, 40 students from Years 9-12 took part in a memorable four-day Classics trip to Rome, following a rich and demanding itinerary that brought the ancient world vividly to life.
From the moment we arrived, students immersed themselves in a wide range of classical and later historical sites, including the Ara Pacis, Pantheon, Roman Forum, Colosseum and Baths of Caracalla. A highlight of the trip was our excursion to Tivoli, where students explored the extraordinary villas of Hadrian and d’Este, alongside the dramatic landscapes of Villa Gregoriana. Our final afternoon at Ostia Antica provided a fitting conclusion, offering a remarkably well-preserved glimpse into everyday life in a Roman town.
The programme was, by design, full and varied – and at times unapologetically demanding. Students regularly clocked up to 35,000 steps a day, navigated both glorious sunshine and torrential downpours, and embraced a schedule that left little room for rest. Despite this, their energy, curiosity and resilience were exceptional throughout. They were a genuine credit to the School: excellent company, highly engaged, and consistently praised by members of the public and staff at the sites we visited.
There were, of course, lighter moments too – particularly around the food, which was universally enjoyed and, it must be said, heavily weighted towards carbohydrates in true Italian fashion. Evenings offered opportunities to experience Rome at its most atmospheric, from the Trevi Fountain to shared meals in local trattorias to fantastic gelato to the last night’s quiz evening.
Trips of this nature rely on the generosity and commitment of staff, and I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Mr O’Connell, Mrs Cadogan, Mrs Jakeways and Mr Frost, who gave up part of their Easter holiday to support and lead the visit with such care and good humour.
It was, in every sense, a wonderful trip which combined intellectual depth with real stamina, and proved immensely enjoyable for everyone involved.