On 13th June 2023, Mrs Barkway, Mrs García, Mr Chesher, Mr Shah and Mr Jackson accompanied forty Year 9 students on a four day residential trip to Seville, Spain. During the trip, the students had many opportunities to show off and practise their Spanish language skills.

Despite the very early wake-up call and arriving in the extreme heat, the students were excited to be in Spain and to get out and about with their first stop being el Museo de la Bellas Artes (art museum). After the museum visit, the students had some free time in the hostel to relax before heading to a restaurant ‘las Lapas’ for dinner where they were able to sample paella and other traditional Spanish dishes.

The second day included a walking tour of the city which took them past some of the main sights of Seville. Students were given some free time to explore the centre of Seville they had the opportunity to order their own lunch in Spanish and cool down with some ‘helados’ (ice creams). In the afternoon, they took part in a river cruise along the river ‘Guadalquivir’ where they saw a different perspective of the sights from water and gave them a chance to relax. In the evening, they saw a traditional flamenco show with classic Sevillanas (dances) being performed, accompanied by the Spanish guitar whilst enjoying some tapas for dinner.

Day three took them to Seville’s famous cathedral where they climbed ‘La Giralda’ bell tower; (a thirty-two floor tower boasting an amazing panoramic view of the city). Some students also got to visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón) who is laid to rest there. After some down-time and shopping, students headed out for dinner again and later, enjoyed some cooler free time in María Luisa park which is home to many monuments and fountains representing each of Spain’s provinces.

The final day (and the hottest, 40 degrees!) included a visit to Seville’s bull ring ‘la Maestranza’, where their guide showed them around the museum and the bull ring itself. They could see where the bulls are kept and looked after before ‘una corrida’ and given some information about the customs and traditions that bullfighting is based upon which allowed them to make up their own mind about it. It still remains quite controversial amongst the students, but was good to get the Spanish perspective on this historical custom.

In the afternoon, the students visited Sevilla FC stadium where they could spend the last of their spending money on football merchandise before their flight back home!

We hope all the students enjoyed the trip and were able to develop their confidence in the Spanish language.

Mrs Barkway, Teacher of Spanish