In late April, our A-Level Philosophy, Ethics and Religion students, along with A-Level History students, had the opportunity to visit the historic Westminster Abbey in central London.
Students were invited to attend a private tour of the Abbey, guided by the fantastic Lou, who brought the Abbey’s significance and history to life. During the tour, students encountered the tombs of monarchs and some of the most influential figures in intellectual history, including Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking.
The visit deepened students’ understanding of key philosophical and historical ideas, including exploring the relationship between science and religion. Students were able to bring context to some of the deep questions explored in class – Is there a higher power? Is there such a thing as the afterlife? Does science conflict with religion?
See what our philosophers thought of the trip:
Jessica:
“I enjoyed the fact that we were able to access spaces within the Abbey that others wouldn't be able to, and so we were able to see a lot of historical places and learn a lot of facts about them. I particularly liked touching the oldest door in England and learning about sacred geometry. I also thought that being able to see really old rooms and places that monks once were was an amazing experience. our tour guide was also lovely and answered any questions I had, which deepened my understanding of history and the cathedral itself. The cathedral was also very beautiful!
Thurrayia:
“I personally found the trip to Westminster Abbey very fun, it felt like a huge help with understanding more about the study of Christianity, because actually looking at the art in person helped me to understand and learn more about its importance and significance in depicting Christian ideas. Also, the church was pretty, so it was fun to walk around and look at it.”
Jasmine:
"I really enjoyed Westminster Abbey; it was a very interesting trip. I particularly enjoyed seeing what the patterns meant in Christianity. I learnt a lot of new facts, and what was cool was seeing parts of it that other visitors did not have the privilege of. It also gave me a greater understanding of philosophy that I can use to help my studies.”
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