During the October half-term, 40 Year 11 GCSE Geography students embarked on an unforgettable six-day adventure to Iceland – a destination that truly earned its title as the land of fire and ice.  This trip offered a unique opportunity for students to experience geography in action, far beyond the classroom walls.

From the moment we landed, Iceland’s dramatic landscapes captivated the group.  One of the most memorable experiences was our visit to Jökulsárlón, a huge glacial lagoon where enormous icebergs drift silently across the water.  Another highlight was our glacier walk on Sólheimajökull.  Equipped with crampons and guided by experts, students stepped onto ancient ice, learning firsthand about the impact of climate change on these fragile environments.

Our journey also took us to some of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. At Seljalandsfoss, we ventured behind the thunderous flow of water, feeling the raw power of nature up close.  At Skógafoss, the sheer force of the waterfall sent a mist so powerful that it drenched everyone who dared to venture near!  The geothermal wonders of Iceland were equally impressive.  We witnessed erupting geysers, bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and geothermal pools – a reminder of the country’s volcanic origins.  For many students, seeing real molten lava for the first time was a jaw-dropping moment.

We continued to experience Iceland’s volcanic landscape with a visit to the island of Heimaey.  Here, students undertook a challenging trek up Eldfell, the volcano that famously erupted in 1973.  The climb was made more demanding by the exceptionally strong winds sweeping across the island that day, but this only added to the sense of adventure.  From the summit, students were rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and gained a deeper understanding of volcanic processes and their impact on communities.

Evenings in the countryside were just as special.  Away from city lights, the unpolluted night sky of a sparsely populated country revealed a visible array of stars.  And then came the Northern Lights – a spectacle that words can barely capture.  As Jack, one of our students, put it:

“For me, the most magical thing was probably seeing the Northern Lights in person and how in just a few seconds they went from barely visible and only on camera to completely exploding in the sky and dancing around (even though my feet were freezing in flip flops without socks as I rushed to go out and see them).  Experiencing Iceland with friends and great people made the trip unforgettable and we had some very funny moments we'll never forget.  There was the perfect mix of exploring the landscape (the waterfalls were HUGE), learning about the country/geography, and relaxation especially on Heimaey and at the Secret Lagoon.”

Mr Burgess would like to thank students and staff for making this trip such a memorable one.  We are excited to announce that 2026’s Iceland trip will be launching soon!  Stay tuned for further details.