Year 7 pupils recently enjoyed an inspiring educational visit to the London Eye and Tate Britain as part of their English curriculum studying Ekphrastic Poetry. The trip formed a key element of a cross-curricular project between the English and Art departments, designed to deepen pupils’ understanding of how different art forms can influence and enrich one another.
In English lessons, pupils have been exploring ekphrastic poetry, a form of writing in which one medium of art—poetry—responds to and interprets another, such as painting or sculpture. The visit to Tate Britain gave students the opportunity to engage directly with a wide range of artworks, allowing them to observe details of colour, texture, form and scale first-hand. These observations will later be transformed into creative and descriptive poetry back in the classroom.
The visit to the London Eye provided pupils with a contrasting experience of scale and perspective. From the panoramic views across the capital, students were encouraged to reflect on how setting, atmosphere and visual impact can be captured through language. The experience supported both creative writing and artistic understanding, helping pupils make meaningful connections between what they see and how they express it.
Overall, the trip successfully brought learning beyond the classroom and encouraged pupils to engage with art and literature in a dynamic and memorable way. The experience will continue to inform their work in both English and Art lessons, supporting creativity, critical thinking and appreciation of the arts.