School Trip to London for the 4ème students

Last week students in 4ème had a great time on our annual cultural trip. They saw the sights, ate pub food and got to experience the atmosphere of London. Favorite acitivites included a video game exhibit at the science museum, a speedboat trip on the Thames, the Crystal Maze, the London Dungeon, and seeing Hamilton.

Everyone had an amazing time!

Underneath the photos, you will find Mateo's (a 4ème student) story about this school trip

London Trip, by Mateo Rebsamen, 4ème student

" Since 3 years, Ms. Johnson and Mr. Henshelwood have organized the famed London trip in April for 4eme students. Not simply a sightseeing tour, but a chance to enjoy fun activities with friends and have a great time. Our favorite teachers (previously mentioned) work hard every year to make this unforgettable experience a reality. Students loved this trip, and many appreciate the effort put into avoiding too much boring history sightseeing and really making a point of having fun with friends.

This trip isn’t simply a sight-seeing tour that leads you through the classic circuit of visiting Big Ben, Buckingham palace, the London eye, Tower Bridge, e.t.c. That would be tiring and strenuous on poor teenagers’ souls. Instead, students enjoy a variety of interesting group activities such as a visit into the dark, underground history of London or an exhilarating race around the Thames at lightning speeds.

Although four days may seem short, it's more than enough to enjoy London without rushing. Most days are full, with students heading out early in the morning and returning late in the evening, ready for a good night’s rest. With such active schedules, students need to remain adaptable and flexible to make the most of each experience.

Upon arriving in the afternoon in Heathrow airport, London-goers drop off their bags at the hostel and are given a period of rest to change and relax before setting off in the evening for dinner. A quick visit of Tower Bridge gives students a breath of fresh air and a taste of what London is really like. Dinner in a classic english pub is an enjoyable way to start off the trip and the lively atmosphere provides a stress-free start.

Throughout the week, students get the chance to visit many different landmarks in London, ranging from classic hotspots such as the Tower Bridge, Big Ben or even Buckingham Palace to fun, exciting events such as the Thames Rocket, Crystal Maze or the London Dungeon. However, the trip isn’t devoid of entertainment for curious minds: the famous Science Museum is visited along with students getting the chance to watch Hamilton.

Since the London trip occurs in April, you can expect rain during your trip, so everyone is required to pack a raincoat or umbrella. Although it could have dampened the overall mood, most students found that it didn’t affect the atmosphere at all. Previous London-goers never found themselves too wet, and because a lot of time was spent inside places or the metro, it wasn’t an all day shower for them. Properly dressed, the rain even becomes fun for some! In the 2025 London trip, not a single droplet fell from the sky, leaving the skies clear and sunny. While most people had expected rain and cold weather, here they were left with warm sunshine that is rarely seen in London. At least not at this time of the year!

Crystal maze

The crystal maze is a fun imitation of the famous TV show where guests are presented problems, ranging from physical and exhilarating to witty and mental. Students team up and must work together to overcome the final challenge, the Crystal Ball.

London Dungeon

A fear-filled visit of the underbelly of London, the Dungeon shines light upon the darker history of London in the Victorian era. Ending with a heart-stopping drop down a dark chute, this sure got the adrenaline of some of the most courageous students pumping hard and fast.

Leake Street Graffiti tunnel

Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel is home to some of London’s most skilled spray painters, adorning the walls of this famous tunnel with works of art worthy of the British Museum itself. Students will have the chance to visit this iconic location and leave their mark with their own spray-painted masterpieces.

Thames Rocket

An exhilarating race on the Thames, the Thames Rocket hurtles down the river, spiriting you around at lightning speeds, bobbing and weaving through, around and above waves, sending screams of delight (and fear) into the air. Easily a favorite, students loved this part of the trip.

Science museum

 London science museum offers interesting activities for curious minds. Many students felt that given the freedom, they could’ve stayed all day long entertaining their questioning personalities. It offers hands-on demonstrations of real life jobs, historical models of early planes and even a modern day arcade with video games spanning from

Hamilton

The famous musical played in the Victoria palace brought squeals of delight to theatre enthusiasts when they heard about the chance to watch it in person.          

Out of a poll conducted on London-goers, the most enjoyed event was the Thames Rocket due to the high-speed, exhilarating rush of adrenaline that students didn’t know they could get in a city. In order to keep the attraction a surprise, students weren’t told in advance. Therefore, on the way to the Rocket, neatly situated under the London eye, many students started wondering if we were simply going on a long, boring 30 minute ride on the London eye, seeing a view that many have seen before. However, when the Rocket came into view underneath the London Eye, some started speculating. Hence it is safe to say that when it was announced that we would be rushing down the Thames at breakneck speed, the class could hardly contain their excitement.

Some students were asked what they enjoyed about the London trip and the responses were all positive!

Bella Valeix says:

"I really enjoyed it, I found it super fun to spend time around my friends and travel around London always doing new activities. The food was really good and the teachers were prepared to understand students' different eating habits and constraints. They adapted certain foods to my allergies or offered options"

Lola Legrand adds:

         “ I loved spending time with my friends and trying new things. My favorite activity was the speed boat, the lodging was fine, just a bit small for six people. Overall, it was great and totally worth it.”

William Culpin replied:

         “My favorite activity was the London Dungeon, a gruesome encounter with London's dark history. We also visited Chinatown and tried some specialties in a restaurant. It was definitely worth it if you like spending time with friends from morning to dusk trying out plenty of new experiences.”

The London trip is totally worth it! When you share London with friends and do fun activities together, you make it unforgettable. This trip creates memories that stick, whether you're laughing with your friends, trying new things, or just enjoying the vibe of the city. There's something for everyone. You'll remember all the funny moments, inside jokes, and good times spent together. So if everyone’s loving it, why not join in and make it your own unforgettable experience?"

By Mateo Rebsamen, 4ème student