On the 5th of November, the Year 10 GCSE History students had the unique opportunity to take a step back in time, and visit two historical sites in London: the Old Operating Theatre Museum and the Florence Nightingale Museum. This fascinating trip brought history to life and deepened our understanding of medical practices in the past, as well as learning all about Florence Nightingale, one of the most important women in medical history.

The day began at the Old Operating Theatre Museum, located in the attic of St. Thomas’ Church in Southwark. The museum is housed in a restored 19th-century operating theatre. Year 10  were taken on an immersive journey into the  gruesome, yet fascinating world of pre-anesthetic surgery, where the lack of modern medical tools and hygiene practices are unseen now.

The museum curator gave an engaging and detailed tour, which we all enjoyed. We got to see replicas of surgical instruments from the time, as well as a reenactment of a leg amputation!

After the visit to the medieval operating theatre, we continued our exploration of medical history with a trip to the Florence Nightingale Museum on the grounds of St Thomas’ Hospital. The museum dedicated to the life and work of Florence Nightingale, offered an inspiring look at how one woman’s dedication transformed healthcare.

We learned about Nightingale’s groundbreaking contributions, and the museum housed fascinating exhibits that traced her life from her early years to her work in the Crimean War, where she became known as “The Lady with the Lamp.” The visit was amazing, and all of the year 10 history students loved learning about how healthcare has evolved over time, and the challenges of early medicine.

Lucy, Year 10