On Tuesday morning, a group of Key Stage 4 students travelled to London to see Jack Thorne’s acclaimed adaptation of A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic, with Paul Hilton in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Thorne’s adaptation of Dickens’s classic novella delivers a hard-hitting message about moral accountability, reinforced by the Old Vic’s long-standing fundraising commitment linked to the production, which has raised over £2 million in the past eight years. At the same time, the performance revels in the joy, warmth, and spectacle of the Christmas season.

On arrival in London, we were greeted by falling snow — a moment many of our students particularly enjoyed. The festive atmosphere continued at the theatre, where we were welcomed with warm mince pies, satsumas, the sound of a string band playing seasonal music, and a canopy of glowing lanterns. Throughout the performance, students delighted in the many theatrical surprises, including snowballs, falling snow, parachuting Brussels sprouts, and even a smoking turkey soaring across the auditorium.

The students had a fantastic day and were, as always, a complete credit to Carisbrooke College. Their behaviour, commitment, and resilience were exemplary throughout what was a very long day. Thank you to the staff who generously gave their time to organise and accompany the trip.