Year 11 Bletchley Park trip

Our Year 11 Computer Science students enjoyed an inspiring and memorable visit to Bletchley Park, the historic home of wartime codebreaking and a key site in the development of modern computing. Throughout the day, students took part in the full range of educational activities offered to school groups, including guided tours of the iconic locations where cryptographers once worked and hands‑on workshops that brought the history of computing to life.

Students explored the exhibits and interactive experiences, bringing the history of codebreaking to life. They visited the codebreaking huts, wartime offices, and learned how the teams worked together to break encrypted enemy messages.

They also learned about the story of Alan Turing and saw the impressive Bombe reconstruction, which demonstrates how early machines revolutionised codebreaking. Within the hands‑on workshop, students tried their own code‑cracking activities, used cipher machines, and engaged with practical challenges that highlighted the foundations of modern computing.

Our students were engaged, enthusiastic, and well‑mannered. They asked thoughtful questions, contributed to discussions, and demonstrated an impressive understanding of the subjects explored. From learning about the achievements of codebreakers to exploring early computing machinery, the trip offered a valuable opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world history.

A big thank you to Ms Ray-Chaudhuri and Ms Khanam for organising such a fantastic day that broadened students’ understanding of the roots of computer science, and gave them a deeper appreciation of the problem‑solving skills and teamwork that shaped the field they study today.