GMA/ML
June 2016
Dear Parent/Carer
History Trip to Berlin:
Friday 31st March – Sunday 2nd April 2017
As a department we are pleased to be able to offer History students in the coming Years 12 and
13 (academic year 2016-17), the exciting opportunity to visit Berlin. I must emphasise that
students will only be able to come on the trip if they return to Edgbarrow School in September
2016. If a student does not attend Edgbarrow at the time of the trip, any monies paid would
not be refundable.
This is an exciting trip to support the learning of the Germany 1918-45 course that we teach
throughout Years 12 and 13, although it must be stressed that it is not essential.
The cost of this 3 day / 2 night trip is £500. This does include air travel, hotel accommodation,
breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal on each day. It also includes all entry costs,
permanent guide to help us explore Berlin, tips and public transport, as well as coach transfers
to and from Heathrow airport. Students will also need their own personal spending money.
We are very keen to support all pupil participation in school visits and do not wish for any
pupil to be disadvantaged due to financial hardship. Should you have any concerns or queries
regarding the voluntary payment for this trip, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Pyke,
Business Manager, who will be happy to help you. All information will be treated in the
strictest confidence. As you will understand without the appropriate financial contributions
the visit may not be able to take place.
In order to keep the cost as low as possible we must get a minimum of 40 students on the trip.
If we are unable to reach this number then unfortunately the trip may not be able to run. I want
to emphasise this, to avoid any unnecessary disappointment.
In addition, flight prices can change and so to secure our flight and the price that the tour
company have been quoted by the airline, the deposit that you will be asked to pay immediately
is £150. This means that if you decide to go on this trip then a non-refundable deposit of £150
will be required by Wednesday 29th June 2016. A payment schedule will then be sent out
to you for the balance of the amount.
Proposed itinerary:
DAY 1
Arrive Berlin and transfer to accommodation.
Transfer to city centre to start walking tour – may include:
The Rise of the Nazi Party
Reichstag
The Unification of Germany; The path from democracy to dictatorship; Who votes for Hitler?
The Reichstag Fire 1933; The Battle for Berlin; from Cold War division to Reunification.
Memorial to the Murdered Members of the Reichstag
A memorial honouring the 96 members of parliament who fell victim to National Socialist
persecution.
Memorial to the Sinti and Roma of Europe Murdered under the NS Regime
Dedicated to the memory of those murdered in the Porajmos - the Nazi genocide of the
European Sinti and Roma peoples.
Brandenburg Gate
The symbol of Berlin; The backdrop to political changes in Germany; from Spartacist revolt, to
Nazi Parades and the building of the Berlin Wall.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
What is the purpose of the Eisenman’s memorial? How does modern Germany remember the
Holocaust?
Fuhrer Bunker
Description of the former buildings which were on this site; What was the Fuhrer Bunker? ‘Der
Untergang’ – the end of the Thousand Year Reich.
Topography of Terror - Option
Prinz Albrecht Strasse, headquarters of the NSDAP regime of terror; The Gestapo.
Bebelplatz
Art and Literature in Weimar Germany; The book burning May 1933; Censorship and repression
in Nazi Germany.
Dinner in accommodation.
Evening - River cruise
Day 2
Depart accommodation with packed lunches on coach
Resistance and Terror in Nazi Germany – options include:
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
An introduction to the Nazi camp system; to include visits to:
 Tower ‘A’ and camp gate;
 Appellplatz; The roll call square; punishments and the use of slave labour
 Jewish barracks
 Zellenbau; the Prison within a prison. Its purpose, conditions, individual stories
 Kitchen block; now site of an excellent museum with prisoners' artwork on display


Station Z; the execution site with remains of the shooting facilities, gas chambers and
crematoria
Pathology lab; a discussion on medical ethics.
Olympic Stadium – Subject to availability
The 1936 Berlin Olympics; Nazi propaganda; The Olympic Bell; flame and the cauldron; The
Langemarkhalle, Maifeld, Lists of Winners. ‘Jesse’ Owens and other competitors' stories as
time permits.
Wannsee Conference House – Subject to availability
The final solution to the Jewish Question; Why was the meeting called in January 1942? Who
attended and what was agreed? The Wannsee Protocol and development of the Final Solution;
Unguided visit of the permanent exhibition.
Dinner in accommodation.
Evening options - Visit the Reichstag
Day 3
Depart accommodation with packed lunches for tour by public transport.
The Cold War
The Berlin Wall Documentation Centre Bernauer Strasse
Preserved section of the Berlin wall with aerial view of the whole area; The division of Germany;
the Airlift; establishment of GDR and FRG; the exodus of East Germans to the West; Origins,
purpose and nature of the Wall; Individual stories.
The Stasi Prison – Hohenschoenhausen – Subject to availability
Guided Tour: The role of the Ministry for State Security (Stasi) in East Germany; Their methods
and purpose of interrogation.
East Side Gallery
Longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall; Murals; An excellent photo opportunity and
chance to buy souvenirs.
Free time to buy food / shopping before departure from Berlin.
Flight departs for UK.
Although attendance is not essential this educational visit will be a valuable experience for all
who attend. It will provide a real insight into the history of Weimar, Nazi and Cold War
Germany that is studied in depth at A Level.
If you have any questions regarding the trip then please do not hesitate to contact me at
school.
Yours faithfully
Mr G May
Head of History Department
………………………………………………………………………………………………
REPLY SLIP – History Trip to Berlin - Friday 31st March – Sunday 2nd April 2017
Please return to Mr May, History Department by Wednesday 29th June 2016
Name of student ………………………………………… Tutor group ……………..
I do wish my son/daughter to attend this trip and enclose a non-returnable deposit of £150.
Cash

Cheque

Signed ………………………………………………….. Date ……………………………
(Parent/Carer)
Cheques should be made payable to Edgbarrow School with “Berlin History Trip” and your
child’s name written on the reverse
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer online payment for this deposit