In May, Year 6 pupils and their teachers spent five days in Madrid, enjoying a jam-packed itinerary that combined cultural enrichment with plenty of opportunities for fun and exploration.
Monday: A Taste of Spain
After an early departure and a smooth flight from Heathrow, we arrived in sunny Madrid and checked into our city-centre hotel. That afternoon, we headed out on foot, pausing for a group photo in the bustling Puerta del Sol before exploring the local shops. In the evening, dinner at FrescCo, a Spanish buffet restaurant, gave everyone the chance to try new dishes and practise their Spanish.
Tuesday: History, Churros and the Zoo
On Tuesday we enjoyed a four-hour guided walking tour of Madrid’s historic centre. Our guide brought the past to life with stories, legends and facts. We bought biscuits from a cloistered nun through a tiny hatch inside the Monasterio de Corpus Christi and sampled some of the city’s finest churros (delicious!). In the afternoon, we swapped the city streets for the attractions of Zoo Aquarium De Madrid. The pupils loved seeing animals from around the world and were able to link some of them to their science and geography learning. Dinner at Ribs Abada, an American-style restaurant, rounded off a brilliant day.
Wednesday: Royals, Art, Squid and a Birthday to Remember!
We started the day by wishing Emily a very happy 11th birthday – and what better way to celebrate than exploring the magnificent Royal Palace of Madrid! We toured the opulent rooms and learned some Spanish history. Next, we visited the Museo del Prado, where we viewed masterpieces by Goya and Velázquez. The pupils showed real engagement with the artwork, asking lots of questions. Before lunch, a few brave souls sampled the traditional Bocadillos de Calamares (fried squid sandwiches), which were a surprising hit! That evening, we had fun learning how to flamenco dance, led by a professional dancer.
Thursday: Football Dreams and Theme Park Thrills
Thursday began with a tour of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid. Our football fans were thrilled to walk through the trophy room and even sit pitch-side! In the afternoon, we headed to Parque Warner, a theme park filled with exciting rides and attractions. The water rapids proved especially popular; several pupils got completely soaked but cleverly saved it until the end of the day to avoid soggy sightseeing!
Friday: A Final Cultural Stop
Before heading to the airport, we visited Museo Reina Sofía, home to Picasso’s famous anti-war masterpiece, Guernica. The powerful artwork rounded off the trip in a thoughtful and memorable way.
Throughout the week, the pupils showed great resilience and independence as they stepped out of their comfort zones, embraced new experiences and adapted to life in a different country. Their behaviour was exemplary – they were polite, curious, supportive of one another and an absolute credit to Kingsley. The trip was a real celebration of everything our pupils have achieved and the wonderful young people they’re becoming.
What the Pupils Said…
“The staff were very supportive and helpful. They looked after us and made us feel safe.” — Kitty
“I loved visiting the Prado Museum. I never thought I’d enjoy an art gallery so much, but the paintings were amazing and we learned loads!” — Emily
“The flamenco dancing workshop was so much fun! It was totally different to anything I’ve done before and I was really proud of myself for giving it a go.” — Lily
“Going to the zoo was brilliant, especially seeing animals I’d only read about. It was such a great way to learn outside the classroom.” — Hattie
“I felt really grown-up looking after my own things and making choices with my friends. It made me feel ready for secondary school.” — Emerson
“Speaking Spanish in real life was really cool – it made all the lessons in class feel worth it. I even managed to order my own food in a café!” — Sofia
“I made so many memories with my friends that I’ll never forget. We laughed loads, but we also learned a lot too. It was the best week of school ever.” — Olivia
“Before the trip I was a bit nervous, but I’m so glad I went. I came back feeling more confident and independent – I even packed my own suitcase!” — Kate
Article written by the Prep team.
