During the first week of the half-term holidays, a group of enthusiastic Year 9 and 10 pupils set off on an unforgettable immersive trip to Benalmádena, Andalucía. The week beautifully combined Spanish language learning with cultural exploration, leaving everyone with improved confidence, lasting memories, and new friendships.

Each morning, pupils attended lessons at Colegio Maravillas Language School, working hard to enhance their speaking, listening, and writing skills. Their dedication was rewarded with language certificates at the end of the week, and teachers at the school were full of praise for their motivation and curiosity.

Afternoons and evenings were packed with a variety of exciting activities. Highlights included a trip to the whitewashed mountain village of Mijas, offering magical views stretching all the way to Africa, and a tour around Benalmádena, which quickly began to feel like home. Pupils also enjoyed a day in Málaga, where they explored the magnificent Alcazaba fortress and visited the Picasso Museum, followed by an emotional flamenco show in Torremolinos — a true celebration of Spanish culture and passion.

Despite an early outbound and late inbound flight, the group made the absolute most of their time abroad, easily connecting with the area, its warm-hearted, open-minded people, and of course, enjoying 30°C sunshine every day.

One of the most memorable aspects of the trip was staying with Spanish host families, which offered pupils a unique opportunity to experience local life first-hand while practising their Spanish beyond the classroom. Both teachers and host families were impressed by the pupils’ politeness, maturity, and enthusiasm. Many have already exchanged contact details with their hosts and plan to stay in touch.

This unforgettable experience not only strengthened pupils’ Spanish language skills but also fostered their personal growth, independence, and confidence. It opened many doors for future pathways, both personal and professional, and will no doubt remain one of their standout school memories.

We invite you to browse through our photo gallery below, capturing some of the wonderful moments from this inspiring week in the sun.

Ms Donau-Green