Iceland trip helps Yorkshire pupils reach for the stars

Iceland trip is one of a series of events organised by The Mount School – find out how they do things differently

The introduction of The Mount School’s Borealis Academic Society and the Borealis Expeditions heralded a new era in super-curricular enrichment and academic excellence for The Mount School, York's only all-girls school for girls aged 3-18.

Introduced by David Griffiths, Principal and led by Nigel Bidgood FRGS, the Borealis Society is a super-curricular programme, extending academic learning outside of the classroom and into real world, putting pupils in scenarios and situations that will make a great impact on a student's CV.

The first expedition departed for Iceland in July 2022. Sixth Form Pupils and staff spent three weeks in the remotest part of Iceland, Norðurstrandir in the Vestfirðir, the isolated North-west of the country. They explored the secluded fjords and ascended the mountains centred around Iceland’s northernmost ice cap, Drangajökull.

Principal David Griffiths said: "The expedition team learnt a great deal about Iceland’s flora and fauna, the geopolitics of the Arctic and their own resilience and abilities whilst experiencing many highlights including our boat being surrounded by a pod of Humpback whales and seeing only two other human beings during the 12-day expedition phase.

Putting the super into curricular – this Yorkshire school is helping pupils reach for the stars. Don’t miss the open day.

“We also attended a reception at the British Embassy in Reykjavík to meet Dr Bryony Mathew, the British Ambassador to Iceland, who is a former pupil of the Mount School. It was hugely rewarding for me, as Principal, to see the confident and empathic way in which our expedition team interacted with Dr Mathew during the reception.

“It was a wonderful trip described by the pupils as 'life changing!' I was immensely proud that we had managed to design and organise this expedition experience for the girls in a mere four months and that they had so palpably gained so much from their experiences."

All round education

“Academic enrichment, blended with co-curricular activities such as music, performing arts, drama and sport, create a powerful holistic educational entity,” continues Mr Griffiths. “We don’t know what the future society looks like exactly. So as educators we need to provide our children with a comprehensive education and the skills and emotional intelligence to adapt to the needs of our society.

“I believe in the power of super-curricular activities, those that promote academic learning and enquiry beyond the confines of the classroom and the curriculum. I am developing and introducing a whole range of opportunities of this ilk at The Mount.”

“We develop our pupil’s talents by encouraging them to take part in Fine Art exhibitions, drama and dance productions and in our vibrant music programme. Our children also explore the world, through our Model United Nations programme, Peace Jam Curriculum and a wide range of trips and overseas expeditions. They develop cultural interests, participate in academic competitions, and undertake adventurous experiences. They discover their voices and how they can make an impact by being members of active committees and councils.”

“The spin offs in terms of UCAS applications and job interviews are, of course, superb. This applies to the actuality of having taken part and to the more subtle effects on the development of an individual’s personality and character through these activities.”

There are many opportunities to stretch and challenge girls across the entire school, such as Ballet, Creative Writing, Gardening Club or Percussion Group in the Junior School to Court & Law, Engineering, Orienteering, Production to Wind Band in the Senior School.

To find out more visit The Mount School's Open Day on Saturday 8 October. Register at mountschoolyork.co.uk