Just ahead of the October half-term, students and staff set off on an educational trip to southern Spain. Departing early in the morning from Leeds Bradford Airport to Málaga, the group transferred by coach to Seville for five days centred on Spanish language, history, culture, and architecture.
The journey began on Tuesday, 20 October, with an early morning departure. Upon landing in Málaga, a coach transfer brought the group to Seville to check into their hostel. Students immediately began exploring the city, taking an orientation walk through the landmark Plaza de España and Parque María Luisa. This offered an initial introduction to regional architecture through the tiled alcoves representing Spain's provinces. The afternoon concluded with a walk down Calle Sierpes to observe local commerce before an evening meal at a local restaurant.
Wednesday, 21 October, focused directly on Seville’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and traditional arts. The morning started at the Real Alcázar, where a guided tour provided practical insights into Mudéjar architecture and Islamic structural design. Later in the morning, the group visited Seville Cathedral and climbed the Giralda tower to study Gothic engineering alongside original Almohad minaret architecture. The afternoon brought a practical Flamenco dance class and a visit to the National Flamenco Museum, examining the musical theory and social history behind the regional art form. The day ended with an interactive paella cooking class, giving students hands-on instruction in Spanish culinary traditions.
On Thursday, 22 October, a morning coach journey took the group to Granada to study the region's Islamic heritage. The visit began with a guided walking tour of the Albaicín, the historic medieval Moorish quarter, focusing on urban planning and historic water management systems. After lunch, students spent the afternoon on a comprehensive guided tour of the Alhambra complex and the Palacios Nazaries. Here, they examined famous Islamic geometric tilework, calligraphic plasterwork, and courtyard design before returning to Seville following an evening meal.
Friday, 23 October, shifted focus to modern sports history and regional recreation. Following a morning visit to a local shopping centre, students toured the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium, home of Seville Football Club, to learn about modern Spanish sports management. From the afternoon into the late evening, the group visited the Isla Mágica theme park, which features interactive exhibits themed around 16th-century Spanish trade routes and maritime exploration.
The final day, Saturday, 24 October, covered civic traditions and practical language practice. In the morning, the group toured the Real Maestranza de Caballería bullring and museum, examining the historical and sociological role of the tradition in Spanish culture. Students then had time for lunch and conversational Spanish practice along Calle Sierpes.
The group departed by coach in the afternoon for Málaga Airport to catch their flight back to Leeds Bradford Airport, completing a well-rounded educational overview of Andalusian history and culture ahead of the mid-term break.