Staff and Students from the Academy visited Paris during February half term. Click to read a report and see a gallery of images from their trip!

41 students from the academy visited Paris for a 5-days cultural visit, which included visits to world-famous art galleries, museums and monuments.

The group, ranging from Year 8s to Year 13s, left Macmillan on Friday 13th February to travel to London King's Cross, then on from St Pancras to Paris via the Euro-star. After checking into the hotel Carlton, students stretched their legs in a climb up to the top of Montmartre to visit the Basilique du Sacre Coeur and to experience the spectacular view of Paris by night.

On Saturday, the students visited the Museum of Modern Art and the Pompidou centre to engage with the artwork, as well as the unique architecture of the building itself, travelling up flights of escalators to collect photographs and spot the famous landmarks of Paris they would be visiting throughout the week. After watching street artists they walked through the city to the Notre Dame to see the gothic architecture and beautiful stain glass windows. In the evening, the students walked to the Moulin Rouge to see the famous red windmill lit up at night.

On Sunday,the students braved the steep steps to the top of Montmartre again, to shop at the markets, pose for a portrait by the Parisian artists gathered in the square and visit the Sacre Coeur to enjoy the building and views of Paris with an ice-cream. In the afternoon they went to the Musee d'Orsay and explored a range of paintings and sculptures, inspiring the students to produce drawings and read and find out about the work in order to complete the challenges set by the teaching staff. They finished the day with a walk through the Latin Quarter and had entertainment provided by the street dancers near the Notre Dame lit up at night.

On Monday the students walked along the Seine to the Louvre; here they were able to see first hand the Mona Lisa, works by Van Gogh and Monet as well as other very famous paintings and sculptures. After taking photographs of the iconic glass pyramids the students embarked on a long walk to the Arc de Triomphe. They walked past the Tuillerie gardens, Champs Elysees, the Petite Palais and the Grande Palais to arrive at the Arc de Triomphe, climb the steps to the top and watch the ceremony to remember those who have been taken.

The students headed to the Eiffel tower on the Tuesday; everyone took the two lifts to the top to get the most amazing panoramic view of Paris. After this they were taken on a boat trip down the Seine to the Gallerie Lafayette: a dome shaped shopping centre with stunning stain glass roof and designers clothes such as Louis Vuitton, Chloe and Yves Saint Laurent. For the last evening meal in Paris the students ate at one of the quaint restaurants in the Montmartre square. They were treated to music from the resident pianist whilst they enjoyed typical French cuisine, including snails!!!

On the final day the students went to the Dali Museum to see the largest collection of his surreal paintings, drawings and sculptures. After some crepes and a little spot of shopping the students had come to the end of their Art and Design study visit.

Everyone arrived home safely, with a clearer understanding of a different culture and inspiration to produce their own Parisian inspired artwork. Thanks to all students and staff that were involved in the trip.

(Report received with thanks from Miss L Clapham - Art and Design Department

Images taken by Mr Campbell Wilson