Academic Enrichment Trip to Tate Britain

Saturday 12th November launched the first of the Academic Scholars Enrichment Trips with 33 students from across the school visiting Tate Britain for the Hew Locke exhibition, ‘The Procession’. This striking art installation invites visitors to ‘reflect on the cycles of history, and the ebb and flow of cultures, people and finance and power.’ Our pupils saw figures who appeared to have travelled through space and time, many carrying historical and cultural baggage, from evidence of global financial and violent colonial control embellished on their clothes and banners, alongside powerful images of some of the disappearing colonial architecture of Locke’s childhood in Guyana.

“At the Tate the Hew Locke exhibition called ‘The Procession’ really stood out from the rest. It had a wonderful use of colour and encompassed a wide range of mediums such as cloth and cardboard to convey and teach people about the important topic of colonisation and the exploitation of people and countries.” reflected Fred (Year 9)

“I was deeply fascinated by the amazing detail on Hew Locke’s work with cardboard and all the symbolism and hidden messages he managed to convey. I am really grateful to have been able to go on the trip I really enjoyed my time there.” said Charlie (Year 7)

“It was lovely to have team of artists, scholars and boarders, all from Year 7 up to Sixth Form together to experience such an for inspiring exhibition, Hew Locke and ‘The Procession’, dealt with the themes of post-colonialism, climate change and conflict but in such a vibrant and memorable way that it’s something that everyone will take a lot from and be inspired in their own work and bring key ideas and themes into their own work from that visit. It’s always a pleasure to visit London and as we were driving home in the setting sun we reflected on how happy we are to be able to go on trips and spend time together once again. The students commented particularly on the use of cardboard and they said they had never seen such a common material used in such a creative way.” commented Jenny Powlesland, Assistant Head, Teaching and Learning.

Jenny, who is responsible for the development of the academic scholarship programme alongside Deputy Head (Academic) Alex Wallace, added “A special thank you to four of our Sixth Form scholars, Esther, Natalia, Laurel and Cem, who produced fantastic activities and resources, from drawing guides, music playlists, historical artefact treasure hunts and information brochures, to help our students get the most from their visit.”