Exploring Medicine Over Time at the Old Operating Theatre

Our Year 11 History students recently enjoyed an immersive visit to the Old Operating Theatre - the oldest surviving operating theatre in Europe. The trip tied directly into their GCSE module Medicine Over Time, giving them a vivid look at how medical care and surgery have developed across the centuries.

Students explored the theatre’s fascinating links to the modern St Thomas’ Hospital and gained a real sense of how it once operated day to day. With expert guidance, they delved into Victorian and Industrial‑era surgery, including the stark realities of operating without anaesthetic or any understanding of Germ Theory.

A standout moment came when Divine volunteered as our “patient,” bravely taking to the historic operating table to see how a 19th‑century procedure might have unfolded. The group then took part in a 90‑minute workshop, creating smelling bags inspired by medieval apothecaries and examining an incredible collection of surgical tools and historical artefacts.

To finish the day on a high, Divine treated both the group - and a few surprised commuters - to a performance on the public piano at London Bridge. A brilliant end to a day full of curiosity, history, and hands‑on learning.