By Cathy Jaquiss

The Junior Sixth English students left for Stratford on a wet, Manchester Monday morning, but the promise of a two hour minibus journey with Mr Warburton as out chauffeur, and the promise of a good joke or two, certainly raised spirits.

After checking in at the hotel, we visited John Hall's house to learn more about his career as a pioneering doctor. He was one of the first doctors in England to use leeches and married Shakespeare's daughter, Susanna.

Outside The Swan Theatre

Our evening play was Macbeth. Even though many of us had studied, read or seen the play before, we were unprepared for the highly original, thought-provoking way in which the director has chosen to present his ideas. There was certainly a lot to reflect on, as the conversation at next morning's breakfast proved.

The planned rowing trip on the Avon was unfortunately cancelled due to high water levels but the afternoon's drama workshop, with a member of the cast of Macbeth, certainly compensated. We left with new perspectives on how the play may be interpreted.

The next day allowed time for a trip to Mary Arden's house and a group lunch before we returned north, tired but inspired from this trip.

Junior Sixth Former Heather Oakes surprised her friends by presenting personalised pillow cases.