In a number of GCSE subjects, students have the opportunity to visit various exhibitions and attractions to help with their studies. Fine Art and textiles are a perfect example of this with a recent trip to the Botanic Garden at Cambridge University.
Mrs Mottley, Head of Design commented, Our Year 10 Fine Artists and Textiles pupils explored the grounds at the Botanical Gardens. The photographs and studies produced will contribute to a strong portfolio submission by all pupils when they are in Year 11. Their behaviour and work throughout the day was exceptional and I look forward to seeing how projects develop into final pieces.
Beth and Kat, Year 10, tell us more about the visit which took place at the end of September:
‘We left school by coach at 8:45 am. After a short drive to Cambridge, our first visit was to the glasshouses where we saw tropical plants and flowers of which we took many photographs so we could study them and draw selected ones later on. After we had been through the main greenhouse it started to rain but it did not stop us going to look around more of the garden. Someone in our group had mentioned that they had wanted to go to the grass maze; unfortunately, the grass was still in the process of growing and was only about one foot high. Even though this was a bit disappointing, it did not stop us from completing it! 
Kat had also mentioned about going to the autumn and winter part of the garden , which she then navigated us to. Even though we had only been a few days into autumn and the leaves had not changed colour much it was still good to see all the plants and trees that will change in the future. We carried on walking and ended up at the rising path where we had the option to create some images using the technique of rubbing. Our group also looked at some facts and information about the garden as the garden as a whole covers an area of 40 acres. We then continued exploring and walked to Gilbert Carter woodland that was not too far from the rising path. It had then started raining a lot harder so we went back to the education room and refined our studies. By 2pm we were back on the bus to go back to Northgate.
Even though it rained it was a still a good day and highly recommended!’
