On Friday 21st March the entire Year 7 cohort set off for a fascinating day trip to Bletchley Park, the historic site that played a key role in the code-breaking efforts during World War II. Organised by the Maths Department in collaboration with Fryer House, this trip provided students with a unique opportunity to explore the world of codes, ciphers, and the mathematical ingenuity behind cryptography.
The day kicked off with an interactive workshop on Codes and Ciphers. The students engaged in practical problem-solving activities, where they worked in teams to crack codes and unravel mysteries. This hands-on experience allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the code-breakers at Bletchley Park during the war. The workshop was designed to showcase the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and mathematical skills in solving complex problems.
After the workshop, the students were taken on a guided tour of the Bletchley Park site, which included immersive films, interactive displays, and recreated WWII rooms. They learned about the history of the park and its pivotal role in the war effort. This gave them the chance to see first-hand how the Bletchley Park team, including many unsung heroes—especially women—worked tirelessly to crack the codes that helped keep Britain safe.
As part of the visit, students also explored the mansion and museum at their own pace, taking time to visit the shop and admire various exhibits. Many students were particularly intrigued by one of the more unexpected artefacts—the old black dial-up telephones. Emilia (Year 7 student) said “I enjoyed Bletchley Park a lot. I enjoyed finding out all the secret codes they would use back then and finding out the history of Bletchley Park’. Zoona (Year 7 student) added “I found it interesting learning about the enigma machines in the workshop, though I wish we had more time to crack our own codes. I liked the interesting facts in the tour. The Alan Turing exhibit was very interesting, as I learned lots of different things I didn’t know before about him. Overall, the trip was very informative”.
Maths teacher and Trip Lead, Greta Leighton, shared her thoughts on the trip: “The D-Day film was great, and there was a pop-up exhibition on AI that was enjoyed by all. Having to complete the booklet ensured that students engaged constructively with the exhibitions. The use of maths in code-breaking and the development of computers made it an enriching experience. It was fascinating to get a glimpse into what was happening in the world during WWII and the role Bletchley Park played in keeping the country safe.”
Find out more about our approach to learning in Year 7 here.
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