Due to the size of this year's cohort, the trip took place across two identical days on 15 and 16 June, with around 35–40 students attending each day. All students taking part study GCSE History and are currently following the Edexcel Medicine Through Time course.

Led by Dr Taylor, Teacher-in-Charge for History, the visit began with a trip to the Old Operating Theatre Museum, one of the most atmospheric and significant medical history sites in Europe. Located in the attic of the former St Thomas' Hospital church, the museum gave students a fascinating insight into medicine and surgery before the development of anaesthetics and antiseptics. Students explored the original eighteenth-century Herb Garret, where herbs were once dried and stored for patients' medicines, before learning about the operating theatre added in 1822. As the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe, the site provided a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by both patients and surgeons in the past.

In the afternoon, students visited the Science Museum's renowned Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries. Home to one of the world's most significant medical collections, the galleries feature over 3,000 objects spanning more than 500 years of medical history. Students encountered remarkable artefacts including the world's first MRI scanner, Alexander Fleming's penicillin mould, a professional pianist's prosthetic arm and examples of modern robotic surgery equipment. The galleries enabled students to trace the development of medicine from the medieval period through to the present day, directly supporting many of the themes explored in their GCSE course.

Supporting the trip were Mrs Kelleway, Head of Humanities and Head of Year 12; Mrs English, History Teacher, Head of Careers and Head of Year 13; Mr Tkaczuk, History Teacher; Mr Rider, History Teacher; and Mr Broster, a former Hellesdon teacher who volunteered his time to support the visit. Additional Learning Support Assistants also accompanied the trip to provide support for students with medical needs.

This educational visit has been a valued part of the History curriculum at Hellesdon for around 15 years, with the exception of the years affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Taylor said:

"Trips like this are incredibly important because they allow students to engage with history in a much more interactive way. Many students thrive when they can learn through hands-on experiences and independent exploration. Visiting these sites enables them to apply their academic knowledge to real historical artefacts and locations, making the people, events and developments they study far more memorable. These experiences play a significant role in supporting knowledge retrieval and helping students develop a deeper understanding of the course content."

The visit provided an invaluable opportunity for students to enrich their understanding of the history of medicine and gain a deeper appreciation of how medical knowledge and treatment have evolved over time.