Rome trip 2023: Chalk Hills Academy

During October half-term 2023, three teachers and twenty-one students from Chalk Hills Academy (in Luton) travelled to Italy for four days, to visit the sites and remains of ancient Rome.

Chalk Hills Academy Latin students at the Vatican

For many students, it was their first time abroad, and despite BA losing one bag, and some rather aggressive coach-drivers, it was a wonderful experience!

On arrival in Italy, we visited the beautifully preserved ruins of the port of Ostia Antica – wandering through the streets and buildings; it really brought the everyday Roman experience to life.  

Our Saturday was spent in the Vatican City and the Pantheon, and students were able to browse the astonishing sculptures and artwork inside St Peter’s Basilica.  

On Sunday, we focussed on Roman ruins, and for many of our students, the highlight of the trip was exploring the iconic Colosseum. We then proceeded to the Foro Romano and the remains of the Circus Maximus.

The GCSE Culture exam focusses on both the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus, so just by wandering through the remains, it made those lessons more tangible and an invaluable experience. We also regularly stopped to look at the Latin inscriptions and try to figure out the meaning, one student was very pleased that she spotted an ablative case!

Pupils at the Colosseum

Students from Chalk Hills in Rome

Students were inspired by their trip to Rome

One of the joys of Rome is unexpectedly walking past a road or building steeped in Roman history; my personal highlight was realising we were walking up the steps of the vicus scelerata, the site of a story I had recently studied with my Year 10 class, where Tullia trampled to death her father, the penultimate king of Rome, in her chariot – starting the reign of Tarquinius Superbus.

Overall, our students were inspired by their visit to Rome – thank you to the LEP for making it possible.

• Mr Thompson, Chalk Hills Academy, Luton