Some of the School’s expeditions have been running for many years now, such as the longstanding Greek trip for Classics enthusiasts, which takes place at Easter. Each year, Year 12 pupils are offered the chance to travel to the States to scout out US university options. Twice a year, the School runs Lower School Expeditions (LSEs), for pupils in Years 9, 10 and 11. Recent LSEs have involved travel the UK and Europe, offering pupils the opportunity to photograph the Northern Lights in Iceland and to develop their climbing skills in Catalunya.

We also make the most of our own nation’s beauty, history and heritage with excursions to a number of locations within the UK. In particular we are very fortunate to have School House in Alston, Cumbria, which serves as a base for a number of outdoor activity trips across the northern Pennines. All Year 9 boys visit Alston for a four-day stay in house groups, together with their housemaster and another member of house staff, as a way of building community. In addition to exploring the fells of the Lake District and visiting historical sites such as Corbridge Roman Museum, Hadrian’s Wall and the old lead mine on Alston Moor, pupils also enjoy the chance to cook and socialise together in a non-school environment.

Whether the expeditions involve crossing a county border or crossing an ocean, we find that Westminster pupils always gain new insights into themselves and the world around them as a result of these trips, as well as a greater understanding of and appreciation for whichever subject or hobby may have taken them there.