By visit leader and deputy head of English, Mr Millar:

On Tuesday 12th September, 75 of our media students took advantage of the opportunity to discover the real magic behind the hugely popular Harry Potter franchise in an extensive tour of Warner Brothers Studios in Leavesden. Inside this sprawling complex, the true scope and scale of the individual components that form the building blocks of motion pictures were brought to their attention with stunning accuracy. Beginning with full-scale recreations of iconic Hogwarts’ settings, our pupils boarded the Hogwarts’ Express on Platform 9 3/4, trod the marbled floor of The Great Hall, strolled through the streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, and took cautious, tentative steps through the Forbidden Forest – a notable challenge for those who suffer from arachnophobia! Whilst these examples gave an insight into the impressive magnitude of the story world created by JK Rowling, students were also given privileged access to the smaller details: the exotic fabrics and delicate weaving of character costumes, the expert crafting of masks and prosthetics; the intricate details of props that were only given several frames of screentime, each and all showcased the talented output of the creative minds, artists and technicians that worked tirelessly to bring the pages of Rowling’s books to life. Whilst this no doubt piqued our students’ interest in film, provided a consolidation of their understanding of media studies, and perhaps allowed them to reflect on their own treasured memories of their much younger selves – demonstrated in the palpable joy that persisted in their expressions throughout the day – it also enlightened our bright young stars to the multi-disciplinary nature of the cinematic medium, and in turn highlighted the career opportunities that await them should they wish to choose this exciting pathway. Furthermore, it is safe to say that the knowledge and skills required for a career in this industry begin in our very own halls, classrooms and workshops at RSA, with clear connections to cinema emerging from the narratives of our English curriculum; the coding in our computer science classes; the creativity in our art, textiles and design technology workshops – the opportunities to utilise their existing and growing talents to attain a rich and rewarding career are many and various. With more and more content being written and created for the ever-expanding output of film studios, TV channels and streaming services, there has never been a better time to turn ambition into reality!

Overall, I believe this spectacular, immersive experience of Warner Brothers Studios will linger long in their memories and is just one of the many opportunities we deliver in our commitment to enrich their lives beyond the classroom.