Sixth form students at St John Bosco Arts College recently visited the USA to explore the country’s history and global influence.

20 students from St John Bosco Arts College Sixth Form travelled to New York and followed an action-packed itinerary designed to broaden their cultural awareness and understanding of the city as a global centre of culture, politics and economics.

During their visit to the ‘Big Apple’, students participated in a range of activities and visited world-famous sites and landmarks that shape the city’s iconic identity.

Arriving late afternoon on day one, students headed out to Times Square and visited Summit One to take in the bright lights and atmosphere of the city.

The following day, sixth formers explored the Federal Reserve Bank before taking a guided tour of the United Nations Headquarters, gaining insight into one of the world’s most important international institutions. Following this, they had the opportunity to visit the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge.

On day three, students clocked up 30,000 steps whilst taking part in a walking tour of Downtown Manhattan which included visiting one of the most pivotal sites in modern American history, the World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial.

Year 13 student, Rachel, said: “Visiting Ground Zero was a really powerful moment for all of us. It was quiet and reflective, and you could feel the weight of history there. It made us stop and think, and was one of the most meaningful parts of the whole trip.”

The following morning, students had a final chance to visit the ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ display and the Louis Vuitton building, to take inspiration for their fashion course.
Miss Charlotte Lyon, head of sixth form, said: “This trip was an incredible experience for our sixth formers, and it was fantastic to see them fully embrace everything New York has to offer. Throughout the various visits and tours, students engaged thoughtfully and enthusiastically which only helped to broaden their cultural capital and understanding of the world.”

Headteacher, Mr Darren Gidman, added: “Experiences like this are so important as they reflect our school’s Salesian ethos of developing students morally and socially, as well as academically. By taking learning beyond the classroom, our students have been able to broaden their horizons and gain first-hand experiences of global culture.”

Applications to St John Bosco Arts College Sixth Form are currently open for September 2026. More information: www.stjohnboscoartscollege.com/sixth-form