11.20pm at Leisure Centre for Year 11 German students.

We are finally out of baggage! About to board coach.

We are still in baggage reclaim…..so good to be back in England!

We have landed safely at Heathrow. Waiting for luggage. Once the students have eaten, we will be heading home. Watch this space for ETA.

We have a 40 minute delay at Munich, but boys are happy as they can now watch first half of rugby! ETA will be posted when we are on the coach.

Ciao München! 113,000 steps through this diverse and multi-cultural melting pot!

Munich is super busy today! Everyone wants in on our trip, even Kier Starmer 🤣

One of the most important stops on our travels around Munich, the Sophie Scholl memorial. A tribute to her and her friends who stood up against repression and paid the ultimate price. These should be the role-models for our younger generations.

Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory first up today!

Final day in Munich for Year 11. First up is Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, followed by a visit to the English Gardens and then the University and the Sophie Scholl memorial. Then time to shop before we fly home.

Haus der Natur makes a great end to the day’s activities in Salzburg!

One for the musicians! Mozarts Geburtshaus!

Fans of the Sound of Music may recognise this hidden part of Salzburg!

Breathtaking views from Castle!

Year 11 are now in Salzburg! Sun is shining!

Y11 German students are heading to Austria for the day 🇦🇹 Salzburg is our destination! Castle and its amazing views our first port of call!

Amazing evening at Therme Erding for our Y11 German students!

Parabolic slides at TUM!

Munich University Maths department offers more than most!

An amazing morning at the European Southern Observatory!

Bumper day ahead for Y11. European Southern Observatory with its Supernova Planetarium. A tour of HQ is followed by a visit to the Maths department at University (with parabolic slides). Sophie Scholl memorial next up before we spend the evening at Therme Erding, Europe’s largest indoor water park.

It is in times of difficulty that K.E.S students shine! Today’s partial public transport strike brought out the best in Jacob, whose planning saw us circle Munich to get to and from the Hofbräuhaus! # resilient # adaptive

Boys are enjoying the atmosphere of live music at the Hofbräuhaus!

Centre of Munich is beautiful day and night! Year 11 off to Hofbräuhaus for dinner.

Year 11 German students got to see the entire car production process during our 2 hour insider tour today! An incredible experience that hopefully inspires our students.

The Föhn is a warm, dry, southerly wind that blows from the Alps towards Munich, creating exceptionally clear, dramatic views of the mountains 90 km (56 miles) away. This is our view from the 15th floor of our hotel, looking over the Olympic Stadium!

With a transport strike affecting U-Bahn and buses today, we are enjoying a well-earned restful start to the day. Plenty still ahead with a full plant tour of the working BMW factory today and dinner at the world-famous Hofbräuhaus!

A really wonderful evening in Schnitzelwirt with Year 11 tonight! The very definition of the German word “gemütlich”! We have visited this restaurant for the past 16 years and are welcomed as family, very special!

An emotional afternoon at Dachau. Described by one of our party as “the most important place I have been in my life”. # Nie wieder

Y11 students now en-route to Dachau, the site of the first concentration camp.

A great start to our day with a tour of the Allianz Arena, home to Bayern Munich!

Amazing meal with Y11 tonight!

A visit to the Olympic Park, home to the 1972 Games, brought our afternoon to a close. Mark Spitz won his seven gold medals in this pool!

BMW World proving a hit!

Year 11 German students enjoying the sights of Munich!

There are some places that have to be seen in the flesh! The Residenz in Munich is one of those!

A great start to our first full day in Munich! Theatinerkirche, Frauenkirche and the viewing platform at the Rathaus!

A bumper day ahead for Y11 German students! Starting with Odeonsplatz and the Theatinerkirche. Cathedral, viewing platform at the Town Hall and then a chance to explore on their own! The Residenz palace followed by BMW World and the Olympic Park!

Very enjoyable evening with Year 11 German students at the Augustiner in central Munich tonight! A busy day ahead tomorrow, details will be posted in the morning!

Y11 German students have safely landed and now taking the S1 to our accommodation!

Year 11 German students have safely arrived at Heathrow. Looking forward to a great week in Munich and Salzburg!

Ahead of Y11’s visit to KZ Dachau and Y13’s visit to KZ Buchenwald, an article on the importance of such trips. www.rayburntours.com/blog/2024/03...

Feeling the cold? -15 at 7.30pm in the south of Germany this evening, reports our former Assistant Alexandra Jung!

Congratulations to German Assistant James Cottriall who performed at radio channel Ö3’s Weihnachtswunder in Salzburg over Christmas! 5 million Euros raised for charity through this event!

Year 13 German Study Trip meeting for both students and parents takes place on Tuesday 10th March, 6.30-7.30pm in Room 10. We look forward to seeing you.

Year 11 Munich Trip meeting for both students and parents takes place on Tuesday 13th January, 6.30-7.30pm in the Drama Studio. We look forward to seeing you.

Looking forward to 2026! Year 11 trip to Munich in February and Year 13 rail trip to Berlin/Leipzig/Weimar/Hamburg in March both now seem much closer!

We are delighted to announce that in this weekend’s Sunday Times, K.E.S. will be named State School of the Year for the West Midlands, and as our students topped the rankings for A Level and GCSEs, we can also celebrate being named regional winners of the School of the Year for Academic Excellence.