b'Students doing timeat Shrewsbury PrisonEarlier this term, our Year 9 students took part in an unforgettable educational trip to Shrewsbury Prison, one of the most historic prisons in the UK. The visit gave students the chance to step into the shoes of prisoners from the past and explore what life was really like behind bars.The day began with a guided tour led by former prison officers, who took students through the prisons original wings, old cells, and even the execution area. This gave everyone a real sense of what prisoners experienced living there. Students also took part in a fascinating session called The Punishment Should Fit the Crime, where they discussed how punishment and justice have changed over time.some new friends whilst trying the best burgersAfter the workshop, there was time for self-guided discovery, with students exploring and waffles in Ypres; others trekked around thethe prison using activity booklets that helped them think more deeply about crime, city to take in the spectacle of its breathtakingfairness, and life in the justice system. Each student received a certificate and architecture. This was fun and helped useducation pack to take home.eliminate the sombre mood in the air. We then returned to the hotel and had dinner before making our way to the Menin Gate Ceremony in Ypres which has been conducted each night for the past 96 years without fail (apart fromHGS trip to the UOB during WW2). Every night, the Last Post is played at 8pm for fallen soldiers who have not ever received a proper burial. We then visited theEconomics Departmentbowling alley once again before returning to the hotel for some vital rest.The fourth and final day arrived and we were allOn Wednesday November 13th, the Year 13 Economics cohort attended a series of heartbroken knowing that this would be our lasteconomics taster lectures at the University of Birmingham. The lecture focused on day, but we shook the sadness off and enteredkey economic concepts like unemployment, consumption and income. It explored the day with some optimism. We made ourhow voluntary unemployment, where people choose not to work, contrasts with way to the larger city of Bruges and enjoyed ainvoluntary unemployment, where lack of skills leads to joblessness. We also canal ride during which we were enlighteneddiscussed consumption as a measure of prosperityhigher disposable income on the history of the city by a very enthusiasticmeans greater spending on goods and services, indicating well-being. The lecture guide. After this, we had a couple of hours ofhighlighted GDP as a common income-based measure of economic performance free time; we just had to try the world-famousbut noted its limitations, such as ignoring environmental costs and income inequality. Belgian chocolate and, let me tell you, it didThe Easterlin Paradox was discussed, which suggests that beyond a certain not disappoint! Our free time flew by and it wasincome threshold, increased GDP doesnt correlate with higher happiness. We also soon time to return to the coach. We caught finalconsidered how welfare should be a key policy focus, emphasising happiness and life glimpses of the captivating landscape of Belgiumsatisfaction over mere economic growth, a concept supported by studies like those as we headed back home. We made our wayof Blanchflower and Oswald. Overall it was a very informative and positive day and it to Calais and boarded the ferry where thewas very supportive in our education.realisation that the trip was coming to an end hitEshaan Prabhakar, 13HFIus all. Regardless, we stayed happy and madeOver the day we had to attend three lectures, each focusing on a particular topic sure not to waste our final moments. Soon, werelated to economics. The first lecture focused on the happiness of economics, were off the ferry and back on British soil. Weimplying how economic factors such as income and wealth influence overall life had accepted that the trip was over, and wesatisfaction and quality of life. Moreover, students engaged in discussions about the were trying to make the most of it. happiness of economics, which broadened our understanding as to why losses often We had a quick stop at Warwick Services and,feel more significant than gains. The second lectures focus was on the Productivity after getting back on the coach, we were toldPuzzle, which looked at how productivity growth has been unusually slow despite our ETA and alerted our parents as to when weadvancements in technology and other factors boosting productivity. Lastly, the third would be arriving. As we entered Birmingham,lecture centred at the university in general, explaining the application process, grade the mood went from bittersweet to pure joy asrequirements and facilities provided at UOB.we were blessed with some great music by theOverall, the trip highlighted the diverse career paths in economics and motivated us absolute legend controlling the speaker. Thisto pursue our academic interests with greater enthusiasm. Meeting with professors time even the teachers couldnt help but join inprovided valuable insights into university life and the study of economics at a higher and, as we finally arrived at school, we all hadlevel. We are grateful to the university staff for their hospitality and look forward huge grins on our faces and couldnt be happier.to more such educational visits in the future. It was an inspiring and educational It was a great way to end what was a trip filledexperience for us all. with a lot of emotions.A huge thank you and shout-out to our brilliantRavjot Singh, 13HFIteachers who spent countless hours preparing this trip for us. We all had a wonderful time spent together, taking a substantial number of photographs to capture the memories. However, we were all gutted that it had to come to an end but, as the great Dr Seuss once (may have) said, Dont cry that its over, smile because it happened.Adnan Wais, Year 11 & Daniel Alloh, Year 1147'