History and Politics Trip to Washington D.C.
Over the half-term, 40 A-level History and Politics students had the incredible opportunity to visit Washington D.C. to explore the heart of Western democracy and learn about the history of the USA. Given that half of the Politics course focuses on the U.S., and the Civil War forms much of the Year 13 study in History, the anticipation couldn’t have been higher. To top it off, the trip was led by Mr Ball - a feature of the visit in and of itself!
A walking tour of the city's landmarks kicked off our first full day in Washington. Unfortunately, the Capitol Building and Supreme Court were closed due to the government shutdown, but thankfully, there were still plenty of items on the itinerary. We visited Ford’s Theatre, where President Lincoln was assassinated, and admired the Washington Monument, which provided an excellent spot for photos and a break from the intense day so far. Later on, we explored an interactive exhibition at the White House’s Visitor Centre that offered a fascinating look into presidential life.
In the evening, the students gathered at the grand World War II memorial for a quiet and reflective moment before proceeding to the Lincoln Memorial. A personal highlight was witnessing the Vietnam War memorial – especially powerful given its modesty compared to the WW2 one and its off-to-the-side location. A war the U.S. would rather forget, perhaps, yet it still brought so much suffering. The black granite bore the names of all the servicemen and women who had died, dimly lit away from the shine of Lincoln and the nearby Washington Monument.
Monday brought a similarly reflective tone with a visit to the Arlington National Cemetery. Watching the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a moving experience – the silent precision left a lasting impression on everyone.
A field trip to Gettysburg grounded the students in the harsh realities of the Civil War. An eloquent reading of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address by Mr Colquhoun with a short refresher on the events of the 1863 battle from Mr Ball reiterated to us how pivotal this place and everything that happened here was in American history.
On Wednesday, we explored George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, gaining a glimpse into the personal life of America’s first president and the early years of the Republic. Before heading home, there was time for a stop at Arundel Mills Mall to buy a few mementoes and something to eat before the overnight flight.
The Year 13s relished the opportunity to apply all their learning in both subjects, while for the Year 12s, the visit provided ample reason to congratulate themselves for picking the best subject – History. Mr Ball’s words, not mine!
The students would like to thank Mr Ball, Mrs Orr and Mr McLean (though he sadly missed out on coming with us) for organising the trip so excellently, and especially for navigating the shutdown. We extend our gratitude to Mr Colquhoun, Mrs Akerman and Mr Robertson for joining us on the trip and mirroring our enthusiasm. While five days in Washington sounds like a holiday, we appreciate the time and effort it takes to ensure the trip runs smoothly for everyone. Washington 2025 was a wonderful trip that all will remember fondly, even during a History or Politics A-level exam!
Writing: Alex (Year 13)
Editor: Anna-Maria (Year 12)
Photos: Alex (Year 13)
