Leighton Park School – The Birth of Venus and The Tate Britain: IB Philosophers Take A Trip To London

27 May 2016

IB Philosophy students travelled to London for a day out at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) and Tate Britain Museums.

Starting at the V&A, students made their way through a “Botticelli Reworked” exhibition where they got to see modern renditions of “The Birth of Venus”, which included pop art, textile and digital art versions. The students had a great time working in their sketchbooks and attempting challenges that Mitch Whitehead, Philosophy Teacher, gave them to do whilst at the museums.

The Tate Britain was a highlight for many of the group as they had the chance to go through the gallery twice – once to discuss the art, and once to absorb the art and attempt to fill the fun sketchbooks that they were all given. All of the students found it exciting to be able to recognise paintings by period due to prior lessons, and even see some of the artwork that they have seen on screen at school in person. One of the group said: “Mitch made a trip of what I would have initially thought to be filled with boredom into something refreshing!”

With academically stimulating exhibitions, students found the trip to be a thought provoking experience which broadened their understanding of philosophy of aesthetics, which is part of the IB philosophy course. Lower Sixth student Shanaya Khan praised the trip, commenting: “It allowed all of us to further link our education to everyday life; a skill we all wish to have developed thoroughly so as to successfully enjoy and make the most out of our unique and special time at Leighton Park.”