ON February 19, twenty John Kyrle sixth form students and three staff set off on the inaugural history and languages trip to Berlin. This was designed to give German students an opportunity to practise their language skills, as well as deepening history students' understanding of life in Communist East Germany, which forms part of their A-Level studies.

In a jam-packed tour, students were able to experience many different aspects of life in Berlin.

Day one began with a three hour walking tour, which explained the development of the city of Berlin, as well as the impact both the Nazis and the Communists had on the city and its inhabitants. Students were shown the location of Hitler's bunker (which surprisingly is now a children's playground) and also the Holocaust memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe. Of course, no tour of Berlin would be complete without the obligatory photo stop at Checkpoint Charlie, the former crossing between East and West Berlin. This was followed up with a visit to the DDR Museum, where students were able to get hands-on experience of the life of a typical East German citizen.

Day two was a sombre and thought-provoking day, with a visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, where approximately 30,000 people were murdered by the Nazis. Student Tabitha Fycun described the visit as "opening her eyes to the suffering the camp prisoners experienced". Staff were extremely impressed with the respectful behaviour of students during this visit. The evening was filled with a very competitive ten pin bowling match, with Mr Jordan Salway (head of languages) ultimately being triumphant.

Day three began with a visit to the Stasi Museum (the headquarters of the East German secret police), which still had all of its original features. Students were able to see how people's homes were bugged, citizens were spied upon and informers denounced their neighbours and even their wives, giving a real insight into how the Stasi worked. It was then time for a bit more souvenir shopping and last minute photo stops before the trip home.

It is hoped that this is the first of many such trips. Mrs Sarah Gooch, head of history, said "This trip has given our students a valuable insight into life in East Germany, really bringing their studies to life and giving them valuable knowledge they can use for their exams." Head of modern foreign languages, Jordan Salway added, "This trip has given our A level students a real opportunity to see and hear German outside of the classroom and give the language a purpose and presence in real life. All students, not just the German A level students gained a real grasp of the German language and I was impressed by the efforts of all students to speak the language. My A level students grew in confidence over the three days and began to realise how much German they had access to".

Year 12 Student Lucy Drew-White summed up the trip saying "The whole group was amazing and the teachers were exceptional. If the trip was to be run next year I would be the first to sign up as I would love to go back!"