Geography field trip to Iceland is an experience of a lifetime

During February half term, our Year 10 and Year 11 GCSE Geography students had the trip of a lifetime with an unforgettable educational visit to Iceland.

This five-day field trip brought classroom learning to life, giving students first-hand experience of volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics, rivers, waterfalls and cold environments – these are all key parts of this popular GCSE Geography course.

The packed itinerary of activities and exploration began early on Monday morning as thirty-nine eager students (and five equally eager staff) departed Bourne Academy to travel to Heathrow before arriving in Iceland at midday. Not wanting to waste any time, the group immediately set about exploring this unique volcanic island.

The first stop was the famous Bridge Between Continents, where students were able to stand between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and see clear evidence of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

They then saw geothermal hot springs, observing steam rising from beneath the Earth’s surface and seeing how Iceland harnesses its geothermal energy.

The first full day was spent in Reykjavík, where students explored life in a cold and tectonically active environment, followed by a journey underground into the impressive Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel.

Later that evening, the students who braved the cold night-time temperatures were fortunate enough to witness the Northern Lights, which was a magical highlight of the trip.

On the next day, they went to Þingvellir National Park to observe the visible rift valley between tectonic plates, explored frozen waterfalls, and examined the volcanic Kerið crater lake. Students also experienced the Secret Lagoon’s geothermal waters, with some bravely attempting the 6-degree plunge pool!

The finale of the trip included the spectacular Skógafoss waterfall, a visit to the interactive Lava Centre, and the thrilling FlyOver Iceland experience, which is an immersive virtual flight ride that allowed students to soar over glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls, reinforcing their understanding of Iceland’s dramatic landscapes.

Throughout the week, students showed enthusiasm, resilience and curiosity, fully embracing every opportunity. It is amazing opportunities such as this that bring learning to life and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Thank you to Mrs Collinson for organising such a fantastic visit, and to Miss Potesta-Elliott, Miss Wild, Mr Roffe and Mr Lewis for supporting our students throughout this incredible experience.