Five Days in Berlin – a teacher’s perspective

Five Days in Berlin – a teacher’s perspective

Our GCSE and A Level history students have just returned from a thought-provoking five-day trip to Berlin. We chose Berlin as it features so often in the courses we teach – Superpower relations and The Cold War and Germany 1918-1945. Our school trip organisers Glo-Ed did a fantastic job at linking our trip to the specification so that our students were able to immerse themselves in the places we’ve discussed many times before in class.

One moment that stuck with me was our debrief after a day visiting the Berlin Wall Memorial and Stasi Museum. Students were sharing their photographs of murals and discussing how imagery can reflect the political tensions during the Cold War and beyond. They had always been interested in stories of East Berliners risking their lives to attempt to cross the wall. It was clear that seeing the wall in person and hearing stories that go beyond the textbook in the Berlin Wall Visitor Centre really brought this alive for them. Some of our students also take psychology, and it was inspiring to see them make cross-curricular links and explain some of the methods of psychological control they encountered at the museum.

Another poignant moment was when our excellent tour guide stopped us at the Memorial to the 1933 Book Burning Site. Our students had spent the morning at the Topography of Terror, feeling a mixture of disbelief and curiosity as they learnt more about the evils of the SS and Gestapo. Being shown the site of one of the earliest public acts that, in comparison to the later horrors, seems less serious, really encouraged them to think about and discuss the unfolding of the Nazi state and its use of terror.

From a practical point of view, the trip ran smoothly from start to finish. Glo-Ed, our school trip organisers, helped us put together a bespoke plan that combined academic focus with cultural experiences. The Glo-Ed team were always there with helpful suggestions when I needed them and to answer my, at times, endless questions!

Once we arrived in Berlin, everything was ready for us – our tickets were ready for all transportation, engaging and knowledgable tour guides and accommodation in the right area. Unlike other school trip organisers I’ve worked with before, I never felt that I was juggling everything on my own. Glo-Ed’s support was consistent throughout our trip, which meant far less stress for teachers.

The impact of this trip on our students is even more obvious now we are back in class. I can already tell their visit to Berlin has boosted not just their understanding of their courses, but also their appreciation and love of history. We are looking forward to returning to Berlin again with Glo-Ed as our school trip organisers!