Conquering Warwick Castle

Earlier this term, all year 7 and 8 Leckford Place students launched an attack on Warwick Castle. We stormed the barbican, overcame the garrison and occupied the castle. Some of us ended up in the dungeons but most of us had a really good time! Here's what some of the students had to say:

“When we got there, the castle looked huge. We went in and went up each tower and walked along the wall walk” (Michael)

“We learned about the amazing scale and architecture of the castle and walls. We learned about why they made circular and octagonal turrets” (Truman)

“Firstly we visited the prison which has an ‘oubliette’, French for ‘forgotten’. This is a very small stone prison with no windows that they chuck you in and forget about you until you starve to death” (Tim)

“Next was the scary dungeon tour round dark rooms with the possibility that someone could jump out and frighten you” (Laura)

“It was the scariest, most frightening and thrilling thing I have ever done, but I won’t tell you what’s there because it will spoil the surprise when you go” (Charlie C)

“The dungeon was really fun and scary at the same time. It showed us that the doctors ripped out the guts and other things of a person who died from plague” (Will)

“We encountered …an executioner who cut off a fellow classmate’s ear (although … it had grown back by the end of the tour)” (Olaf)

“After lunch we headed for the trebuchet which fired a stone ball which we then chased after; we picked it up….and it felt quite heavy which surprised us because it flew so far and looked lighter” (Charlie)

… and that’s just a small flavour of what we were up to. Eagles, baby ducklings, tree clambering and archery all featured in an action packed, fun filled day.

Another successful round of work experience placements

All of year 10 went on work experience placements for a week in May – seemingly with great success. Feedback from employers was most positive with fifteen students achieving 'excellent' grading in every one of the categories assessed.

Several students have been offered holiday jobs and all have certainly benefited from being in an adult environment for a week. Each student was visited by a member of staff, and several employers mentioned that they were impressed with the school contact, as this is not something that they normally experience.

This is the third year that we have operated this scheme and we shall certainly continue with this in the future, as it seems to have a great positive impact on the students.