History teacher Helen Robinson on why the memories from their jam-packed trip to America will last a long time.
Hymers College, an independent day school in Hull for pupils aged three to 18, has a thriving history and politics department. It had been a long-standing wish to enrich the teaching of AQA Unit 1 A Level History (The Making of a Superpower) and the Politics course by visiting Washington. The great sites did not disappoint, and the city was beautiful in cherry blossom season, plus it felt really safe for the students to explore.
The students enjoyed a wide range of experiences and activities, from seeing the major buildings associated with the American System of Government to visiting the popular National Museum of African American History and Culture, which Year 12 student Henrietta Skipworth described as “breath-taking, with outrage-inducing displays and worthwhile”. We benefitted from close planning with our trip company, but we also added our own excursions, which the students found thrilling and interesting.
“What made the trip even better was the fact that we walked or used public transport whenever we went anywhere. I loved getting to see more of the city and getting an insight into Washington culture.”
William North, Year 12
The standout experience was going to a basketball game (Washington Wizards v Brooklyn Nets), which was a perfect evening outing and a very reasonable price for a lot of entertainment. We also had a brief sojourn to Kramers Independent Bookstore at Dupont Circle and explored Georgetown for lunch on the last day. Both were really worthwhile trips for our group.
The memories of seeing the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington obelisk in bright spring sunshine and understanding that huge public space (from the March on Washington, 1963), as well as our first glimpse of the White House, will live on for a long time. Even torrential rain did not dampen spirits on the second day and we made the most of the tour by walking miles.
One note of caution: Washington is always billed as a city that is easy to navigate around the National Mall, which is true to a point, but the distances to move between sites are pretty vast and a constant review of the itinerary and the weather was vital. It was not possible to see all the major memorials associated with our courses, and so the next trip - a twin-centre to NYC and Washington - is already being discussed.
Overall, it was a hugely fun and successful trip and it is important not to underestimate the memories that can be made and the experiences that are meaningful to individual students.
“The show they put on for us left many of us wondering, if that’s an ordinary midweek game, what do the big games look like?!”
George Mitchell, Year 12
The last word goes to Year 12 history and politics student, Adam McGinley: “Washington is something completely different to anything I’ve ever experienced. It was a trip of great contrasts - the fun, vibrant walks and restaurant meals breaking suddenly into the respectful silence of Arlington National Cemetery. I would encourage you to visit if you ever get the chance, as it is something that will remain with me for the rest of my life.”
Back in the classroom
Our students developed a great deal of knowledge on all three branches of the US government for future history and politics discussions, as well as informing their revision for internal and external examinations. They shared their favourite activities to inform future trip planning and had the opportunity to share their experiences with the whole school and the Old Hymerian (alumni) network via an assembly, presentations and articles in the school magazine.
We brought back new resources from the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) which have been disseminated amongst trip-goers and sixth form history students, and have fired up our Year 7s with tales of seeing the Magna Carta in the USA!
