History tells stories about people, places and things to help explain to young people of any age why the world is as it is as they grow up and begin to question it.
Schools will choose different periods and settings and topics to cove during different Key Stages, but all of them are pretty well guaranteed to be rooted in actual places that can be visited, explored and enjoyed.
It has been a curious fact that for many years primary classes have studied the Roman, Anglo-Saxon and medieval periods, while secondary school syllabuses have been more engaged in post-medieval periods. For a while secondary courses involved a great deal of ‘topic work’. While this discipline still exists, the recent examination syllabuses have returned to an emphasis on historical periods and links.
But all periods and topics provide fantastic opportunities for school visits. We are so lucky that so many general and specialist museums and visitor centres exist in the UK. The problem is not a shortage of possibilities but how one sifts through the available opportunities to make choices.
The Historical Association website carries information about course, conferences, study tours, and the Association has published ‘The Historian’ magazine for many years. Handsam is also happy to help, please contact us on 03332 070737 or email info@schooltripsadvisor.org.uk.
Most venues will have teaching materials and activities geared to students’ different ages and aptitudes whether at primary or secondary level. All of them will set out to develop students’ ability to understand, analyse and evaluate key features and characteristics of historical periods and events studied.
Some venues will be easy to identify because they fit neatly with the period and topic being studied but others may offer new possibilities, not least to the teachers themselves. Teachers need and deserve their own stimulation.
Over the next four years there will be an upsurge in visits to the First World War battlefields. Because of this there will be an increase in companies offering visits and requirement for battlefield guides, especially in northern France and Belgium. There are bound to be discrepancies in guides’ knowledge and experience. Close research into the credentials of the company you are contracting with, and the company’s guarantees about guides, will ensure that your group will not be disappointed.
Main organisations:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Inclusion: NASEN
Thought of visiting?
Roman Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum at Hadrian’s Wall
Viriconium, Wroxeter, Shropshire
The Jorvik Viking Centre, York
Offa’s Dyke Trail and Chirk Castle
The National Trust for Scotland
Clan Donald Visitor Centre, Isle of Skye
Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre
Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin
Exeter Cathedral Education Centre
The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
The Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth
East Anglia Railway Museum, Colchester
The National Tramway Museum, Matlock
Still home to the St Aubyn family as well as a small community, this iconic rocky island is crowned by a medieval church and castle - with the oldest buildings dating from the 12th century.
Immerse yourself in history, wonder at the architecture and discover the legend of Jack the Giant Killer.
The Museum is located in the heart of the old St Ives fishing community of Downlong.
Formerly the building housed a Pilchard Curing Cellar, Bible Christian Chapel then a laundry and cinema.
The Centre occupies the recently restored Old School building and documents the rich history of its area and of St Hilary Church. This sits in a stunning location which time forgot and has a unique collection of Newlyn-school paintings from the 1920's, formed by the then vicar, Bernard Walke.
An award-winning volunteer-run Museum comprising information, artefacts and curios relating to the Parish of St. Agnes.
Saltash Heritage was formed in 1986 by the late Cornelius 'Corny' Hearl and a group of like minded local people who wanted to see the formation of a permanent museum for Saltash, and aims to collect, promote and research local history in Saltash and surrounding parishes and to maintain a museum in Saltash.
'The Royal Cornwall Museum is an essential place to come to if you are fascinated by Cornwall' Kurt Jackson, artist
If you want to see an unwrapped Egyptian mummy, explorers medicine chest and a wide range of Cornish and British art then head to the Royal Cornwall Museum.
Redruth Old Cornwall Society Museum is part of Cornwall Gold and is located on New Portreath Rd, between Redruth and Portreath.
The Mining Section
The mining section contains a number of mine lamps including some carbide lamps which produce and burn acetylene (C2H2). These were used in the tin mining industry from about 1900.
The Mineral Collection
Porthmeor Studios is a complex of artists' studios, built on top of eighteenth century pilchard cellars below. It is the oldest, possibly the only such complex in Britain and is unique in its combined heritage of fishing and art.
A small Museum located right on the harbourside of the beautiful fishing village of Polperro. The Museum contains a fascinating insight into the history of fishing and smuggling from the late 18th Century to date. It houses a remarkable photographic record dating from around 1860.
Newquay Heritage Archive & Museum provides a number of themed exhibitions relating to Newquay and Districts historical past. We have a archive of historical information for researchers.
There is also an annual exhibition at DairyLand Farm World.
Perranzabuloue, meaning 'Perran in the sands', is one of the largest parishes in Cornwall. The biggest centre of population is Perranporth where the Museum is located. Come and see how the area has developed, from its earliest beginnings; the arrival of St Piran; the growth of fishing, farming and mining; the development and closure of the railway; to the tourist resort it has become today.
This museum of curiosities is housed in Penryn's old Market House. Penryn has been a thriving port even before its neighbour Falmouth had sprung up. The town was mentioned in the Doomsday book in 1086 and has a rich and varied history.
The museum houses a wealth of heritage and showcases the characters and objects that make up Penryn's past.
The museum is an independently run charity, we receive no government subsidies and are completely dependent on any donations at the door, and from our supporters.
We have accreditation status under Arts Council England
The multi-award winning National Maritime Museum Cornwall has 15 galleries, over five floors beautifully illustrating the past, present and future of this island nation. Silver winner of UK Heritage Attraction of the Year at the 2013 British Travel Awards, the Museum features a number of stunning exhibitions dedicated to the sea, boats and Cornwall.
The Caradon mining area is a magnet for industrial heritage enthusiasts. The remains of engine houses on the south eastern edge of Bodmin Moor tell of 19th century mines producing copper, tin and other minerals. The mines circle the dramatic Cheesewring quarry which eats into the dark grey granite of Stowes Hill.
This Grade 11 listed cottage is managed by the Tamar Protection Society and is the oldest building in Saltash, dating from around 1480. The cottage is furnished with period furniture which is on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum and private collections which, along with utensils on display give the interior a truly atmospheric feel.
Located on the left-hand side of Mevagissey's fabulous inner fishing harbour the Mevagissey Museum is the area's top attraction and is free for all.
The Museum houses a number of collections of local interest and is its self housed in a old building dating back to 1745 when it was used for the construction and repair of smuggling vessels.
Lostwithiel was founded in the twelfth century by the Norman lords who lived in Restormel Castle. The town prospered as the centre for the administration, testing and export of tin.
Lostwithiel grew in importance becoming the county town of Cornwall and home to the county's most significant port.
Founded in 1920 by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, the Leach Pottery is probably the most famous and certainly the most influential studio pottery in the world. Today the Leach Pottery is a living tribute to Bernard Leach and his legacy. Visitors to the Pottery can see the original workshops and kiln shed, including the three-chambered Japanese climbing kiln, built in 1923.
The purpose of the Grampound with Creed Heritage Project is to tell the story of the countless individuals who have made their mark on this place since ancient times and to ensure that this knowledge is recorded and passed on to future generations.
The history of the parish is illustrated with displays depicting Farming through the Ages, the Fishing Industry, Education, Domesday Book entries, the Manors, World Wars, Coastguards, Churches, Chapels and much more. Illustrated by photographs, tithe maps, documents, parish records and other artefacts.
Fowey museum may be a small one room affair, housed in one of the oldest buildings in the town dating back to the 15th century, but it is packed to the ceiling with interesting artifacts illustrating some of the rich and varied history of this harbour town and its inhabitants.
Some of the displays are changed every year so that we can commemorate local events.
This is not your usual type of museum and it certainly isn’t a large grey building with all the exhibits neatly arranged on shelf after shelf in glass cabinets - ask any of our visitors!
History of the County Regiment from 1702 to present date including a fine display of medals, uniforms and weapons plus a superb research facility manned by willing volunteers.
Housed in one of only two existing Keeps, a landmark, Grade II building in the Town of Bodmin, constructed at the time of the Napoleonic threats.
Constantine is one of the largest villages in Cornwall and has had its own local history museum since June 2005.
The Constantine Heritage Collection is dedicated to the agricultural, mining, quarrying and social history of the area.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.