Year 11 students studying English as an Additional Language (EAL) swapped the classroom for the gallery floor, visiting Dorset Museum & Art Gallery as part of their AQA Unit Award coursework.
Accompanied by our Director of International Students, Mrs Quick, the group set out to gather ideas, vocabulary and inspiration for a piece of free writing about an art expedition, the final task in a unit that has occupied them for much of the term.
Students have spent recent weeks studying descriptive writing and examining what makes an exhibition engaging. The trip gave them the chance to experience one first-hand.
Leo said he was fascinated by the interactive Iron Age display, while Helena was drawn to the large portraits and landscapes on the upper floor.
The visit also offered practical language experience beyond the exhibits. Students bought tickets, read display descriptions, found their way around a public building and spoke with members of the public, using English independently in real-world situations.
The trip reflects a wider belief that language skills develop best when put into practice outside the classroom.
