Study Cultural trip to Copenhagen

A group of Study students accompanied by Mrs Johnson and Dr Williams enjoyed a long weekend in Copenhagen. The purpose of our visit was multifold: to create a stronger unity between the two Study year groups, to enjoy the culture of Copenhagen and to visit our partner school, the Copenhagen Open Gymnasium and experience education from a Danish perspective.

On the Friday, despite the grim weather forecast (which thankfully failed to materialise) and an unbelievably early start, Wychwood spirits remained high. We started by viewing Copenhagen from above; although blustery, the view from the top of the Rundetårn was spectacular. We were following in the footsteps of Tsar Peter the Great who had ascended the spiral, cobbled ramp on horseback in 1716. Having gained our bearings, we walked along the old harbour of Nyhavn to catch a waterbus. From the water, we were able to appreciate much of the exciting new architecture including the Opera House and the Royal Library Black Diamond. A downpour prevented us from visiting Hans Christian Anderson’s Little Mermaid so instead we took refuge in the Design Museum where we marvelled at the array of stylish chairs.

Saturday started at the Amalienborg Royal Palace. It was easy to see why the Danish Royal family are so popular, the palace felt very open and friendly, not at all austere. We came out to watch the changing of the guards, which was impressive. Another downpour ensured that we had the time to admire the magnificent dome of the Marble church. Hunger took us to the mouth-watering pleasures of the Torvehallerne; the covered market is a food lover’s treat. We walked through the Botanical gardens and into the Danish National Gallery famed not only for its collection but also for the stylish modern extension, which is linked to the gallery by open bridges. Finally, no visit to Copenhagen is complete without a visit to the ‘freetown’ of Christiana, a safe haven for hippies and nonconformists.

Sunday afternoon was time to enjoy what the shops had to offer. Sephora was a firm favourite.

On Monday, we visited the Copenhagen Open Gymnasium. The students enjoyed experiencing the Danish education system, sharing lessons with their counterparts. The classrooms were stylish and open with exquisitely designed furniture. The students worked solely on laptops, no paper or books to be seen. The open-air classroom on the roof and the media studies theatre were impressive facilities. We all felt that we had forged good friendships and look forward to welcoming the Danes back to Wychwood in November.

We made a final museum visit to the Rosenborg Slot to view Denmark’s Crown Jewels before heading back to the airport. It was a busy but thoroughly enjoyable trip to this stunning city, which seamlessly unites the traditional and the new and where the notion of design is ingrained into its culture.