On 7 October 2024, I had the pleasure of joining our Year 8 Art trip to the Natural History Museum in London. It was a fantastic opportunity to witness first-hand how school trips integrate with the curriculum while seeing our pupils’ creativity come to life. The focus of the day was on producing high-quality work and drawing inspiration from the museum’s incredible range of specimens.
The day began with pupils being divided into groups, each setting off to explore four different zones of the museum. This approach allowed everyone to fully engage with the exhibits without crowding, and their main task was to find six fascinating specimens to sketch in their sketchbooks. The aim was to encourage pupils to pay close attention to shape, proportion, and shading—pushing them to create detailed, thoughtful drawings rather than rushing through quick sketches.
It was wonderful to see how focused they were, carefully sketching everything from dinosaur skeletons to delicate fossils. There was a real buzz of excitement and pride as their drawings began to take form. At one point, several members of the public stopped to admire the artwork, even asking if we were an Art School!
Photography was another key element of the trip. Each pupil was tasked with taking ten high-quality photographs of the exhibits, which would later be used as references for homework. To add some extra excitement, we launched a photography competition, inviting pupils to submit their best shots to the Art Department. I could see just how much care they were putting into capturing the perfect image, and I am really looking forward to seeing the results.
Some pupils chose to spend more time in specific galleries, really honing their drawings, while others took the opportunity to explore a variety of sections. This flexibility allowed them to work at their own pace and focus on producing the best work they could.
By the time we returned to the coaches, the pupils had not only filled their sketchbooks but also collected plenty of photographs and ideas to take back to the classroom. Watching them engage so deeply with the task and seeing their creativity flourish was a real highlight for me. The trip truly reinforced how vital these experiences are in bringing learning to life.
It was a privilege to be a part of the day, and I am excited to see how the pupils build on this experience in their upcoming work.
Miss Rimal – Content and Digital Marketing Officer, Surbiton High School
