Pupils deepen subject understanding in southern Spain
Nineteen Art and Religious Studies pupils from Fourth Year to Sixth Form enjoyed the chance to explore architectural jewels in southern Spain.
During the jam-packed four-day trip, the group visited the cities of Granada, Seville, Córdoba and Málaga.
In Granada, at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, they visited the Alhambra – a palace and fortress complex that is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world.
The capital and largest city of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia, Seville, was next up for the pupils. Here they visited the UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral and the Flamenco Dance Museum and attended a Flamenco show.
In Córdoba they ventured to the Mezquita, the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, before finishing their trip in Málaga. Here they visited the Cathedral, which was designed in the Renaissance architectural tradition, and the colourful Pompidou Centre.
They also headed to the Picasso Museum, situated in the Buenavista Palace of the city in which the painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and theatre designer Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born.
Reflecting on the trip, student Katie Dignan said: “I enjoyed having the opportunity to learn about the cultural sites in each of the four cities we visited. It was fascinating to see the Christian and Islamic influence on the architecture and history of the region and to have the chance to spend time experiencing the culture of southern Spain.”
Religious Studies Teacher Mrs Anna Neale commented: “The trip was incredibly useful to allow pupils to understand how religion and society interact and to deepen their understanding of Catholicism.”
Art Teacher Mrs Becci Upton concluded: “This is the first time I have visited these cities in Spain and the incredible architecture and galleries blew my mind. The Alhambra and the Mezquita were a highlight for me.
“Pupils and staff enjoyed using photography skills alongside drawing on-site to gather valuable source material for their project back in the classroom. The itinerary included a vast array of architectural styles alongside classic and more contemporary artwork and I know I learnt a huge amount in four days.”
