At the end of April, the entire Second Form stepped back in time on the History Department’s much-anticipated annual pilgrimage to the Black Country Living Museum. Immersed in the sights, sounds, and even smells of 19th-century industrial Britain, pupils explored what life was really like for those living and working in the coal mining areas of the Midlands.
The day began with a descent into the tunnels of a mine, offering a glimpse into the harsh realities faced by Victorian miners. Above ground, sparks quite literally flew as blacksmiths fired up the forge, demonstrating how glowing metal was hammered into heavy-duty chains. Pupils also wandered through authentic period houses and shops, stepping into the shoes of those who once called these streets home.
Of course, no visit would be complete without a traditionally cooked lunch of fish and chips – a firm favourite that might just explain why the History Department is always eager to return!
