Year 10 Explore Shakespeare’s London: A Memorable Day in the Capital

On Monday 15th July, 30 Year 10 students from Penwortham Girls’ High School embarked on an unforgettable trip to London, organised by the English, Drama and History departments. The trip was designed to bring classroom learning to life, with a focus on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and the world of Elizabethan theatre.

Travelling by train, the students arrived in the capital full of excitement and curiosity. Their first stop was a guided tour of the iconic Globe Theatre, where they had the chance to step into the world of Shakespeare—quite literally walking in the footsteps of the actors and audiences of the Elizabethan era. The tour offered fascinating insights into the construction, history and performance traditions of the original Globe, enriching the students’ understanding of theatre in Shakespeare’s time which is an important element of their English Literature and History GCSEs.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the live performance of Romeo and Juliet in the open-air Globe Theatre. Watching the tragedy unfold on stage, complete with dramatic sword fights, emotional soliloquies and the buzzing atmosphere of a standing audience, brought the text to life in a way no classroom ever could. Students were able to see how directors interpret Shakespeare’s work and how performance choices can transform meaning, deepening their appreciation for this core GCSE text.

After the performance, students enjoyed free time on London’s vibrant South Bank, taking in the sights, street performers, riverside views and a taste of the city’s rich cultural scene. For many, this was their first visit to London and the experience of exploring the capital added an extra layer of excitement to an already memorable day.

The trip offered a perfect blend of education and cultural enrichment, reinforcing key areas of the GCSE curriculum while inspiring a deeper love for literature, performance and history.

A huge thank you to the staff from the English, Drama and History departments for organising such a valuable experience, and well done to our Year 10 students for being such enthusiastic and engaged ambassadors for PGHS.

Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage,” and on this day, our students truly embraced it.

Mrs Snowdon

Curriculum Leader for English

Share!