We had an amazing first week back learning all about the life of Isambard Kingdon Brunel and his love of engineering. This really showed during our trip to the SS Great Britain on Friday when they wowed the crew with their amazingly detailed knowledge of his life and death! Even sharing in great detail how he didn’t initally win the competition to design the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The day was full to the brim with amazing experiences – many of the firsts for the children. We started the day exploring underneath the water (whilst holding our noses) in the dry dock. The children were completely amazed by the propellor and rudder as well as the sheer size of the ship that stays beneath the water. We then explored the museum. There were so many gasps when they saw the gigantic statue and they loved exploring the train and the map. Next it was the second most important part of the day lunch a well needed stop and rest. After lunch it was our workshop. This took part in two sections. First we travelled back in time to a month before the launch and had to help finish the boat. The children took their responsibility seriously holding the ‘hot’ screws carefully and passing them to each other before banging them in. Once this hard work was done we returned to the surface and dressed up in traditional clothing. Some children were engineers, some were sailors and some were visitors. We then reinacted the launch including the failed bottle throwing and the second successful one. Finally, it was the time they had all been waiting for – to go on the ship! It didn’t dissapoint – there was so much to see and do that the children were amazed at every turn. Luckily we had a fantastic tour guide Alan who took us all around the ship from first class, to steerage, to the kitchen and the engine room. We even saw the pat monkey and the talking toilet. It was a tiring but fantastic day!