On Tuesday 7 October, our year 8 students embarked on an exciting day trip to Whitby. Whitby is a seaside town, port, and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. Located on the Yorkshire coast at the mouth of the River Esk, the town has a rich maritime, mineral, and tourism-based economy.
The trip began with students conquering the famous 199 steps to visit St Mary’s Church and graveyard. There, they spoke with the church warden about the religious history of the building and, with staff, explored the links to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, discussing how the dramatic views inspired the gothic themes of the novel.
Students were then given the opportunity to explore the town via the Whitby heritage sculpture trail, which highlights the area’s historical professions and guides visitors to parts of Whitby not typically seen by tourists. From the crow’s nest, students enjoyed panoramic sea views and the fresh coastal atmosphere, with the weather remaining bright and clear throughout the day.
The group also explored the old town, where they discovered how locally found Whitby Jet has been crafted into jewellery for centuries. Some shopkeepers kindly explained the stone’s historic connection to Queen Victoria and its symbolism of protection and dedication.
At lunchtime, students sampled Whitby’s famous fish and chips before heading to the beach—where a surprise encounter with a porpoise became a definite highlight for both students and staff. It was a joy to see the entire year group bonding: playing football, throwing darts and frisbees, exploring rock pools, and generally having lots of fun.
Despite a long and active day (with a recorded total of around 18,000 steps!), our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and their behaviour was impeccable throughout.
Thank you to all who attended and to those who helped organise the trip. It will certainly be a day our students will always remember.
