Lower Sixth History trip to Oxford

On Friday 6 March as part of Field Day, 11 Lower Sixth History students went to Oxford accompanied by Dr St. John, Mr Simm and Mr Clark.

The morning was spent on a walking tour of Central Oxford on a sunny day with Mr Clark pointing out buildings of historic and contemporary interest such as the Examination Schools, the Sheldonian Theatre and Balliol College (where the Prime Minister studied). Armed with his trusty Bodliean Library card and his abundance of charm, Dr St. John was able to show the group the Divinity School, the oldest surviving University building in the world with its famous elaborate vaulting dating back to 1485.

Dr St. John guided the group around a number of sites connected with his own current research about Pusey, Newman and the Oxford Movement. The morning concluded with the group spending 45 minutes in the Ashmolean Museum looking at its superb collection of antiquities, artefacts and European Art.

After lunch in the Cornmarket, the group walked down the High Street to Magdalen College School for the Second Blackwell’s A-Level History Conference. We heard superb lectures from Professor William Doyle of Bristol University on “The French Revolution: the pivot of modern history” and from Professor Michael Broers of Oxford University on “The rise and fall of Napoleonic Empire.” After a quick dash along St Clements and a journey back to Elstree by coach, we were able to make it back to Habs for the traditional 17:30 departure.

We would like to express our thanks to the University of Oxford and MCS for hosting us on a memorable and inspiring Field Day excursion.

Lower Sixth History trip to Oxford

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