As part of CEW our History students had a fascinating trip to Bletchley Park – home of the Codebreakers. Following in the footsteps of codebreakers like Alan Turing we got to explore the site as it would have been during World War Two and try our hand at some codebreaking ahead of the D-Day landings.

Expertly led by our tour guide and session leader we discovered some of the secret stories about what happened at Bletchley during World War Two. This included the secretive recruitment of people to work there and we all had to sign the Official Secrets Act alongside them! From here we were allowed to look at encoded messages and decipher them using code breaking tactics to check that diversion plans were working ahead of the D-Day landings in Operation Overlord. Indeed, we discovered some hidden talents in operating a morse code interception station and using codebreaking methods among our students. Mrs Webb was even allowed to use a real Enigma machine (incidentally the same one used in The Imitation Games by Benedict Cumberbatch)!

Our tour then took us around the park and ended at the site of the Bletchley memorial where we paid our respects to those who worked there and no-one ever knew their real contribution with some even labelled as cowards for not serving in active duty. The students were absolute models of our Academy values demonstrating excellence, empathy and being outward looking throughout the trip. Many commented on how much they enjoyed the trip and were very excited to see the Bombe in action.  Finally, we also had a chance to meet the (in)famous Bletchley ducks who wanted to join our picnic for a while!