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History
History
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
Venues for this Curriculum
Westminster Abbey is Britain's foremost religious building and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located next to the Houses of Parliament and a short distance away from Buckingham Palace, the Abbey has been the site of many coronations, royal weddings, state burials and services.
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Why travel with Select School Travel?
A family theme park designed to cater for families with children between the age of two and thirteen. All its rides and attractions are designed to offer the whole family a full day out of fun and excitement.
Adventure Land, Toy Land, Discovery Bay and more! All of which combine to keep even the most active of children occupied for a full day.
Both motorsports and aviation are celebrated at the Brooklands Museum.
20 miles south west of central London, with its famous banked corners Brooklands was at the centre of British motorsport before the Second World War. It was the world's first purpose built motor racing circuit.
Coventry has had three Cathedrals in the past 1,000 years: the 12th century Priory Church of St Mary, the medieval Parish Church Cathedral of St Michael and the modern Coventry Cathedral, also named for St Michael. Coventry’s fortunes and story are closely associated to the story of its Cathedrals - a story of death and rebirth.
Glamorgan Cricket can offer a very flexible package on non match days involving a combination of the following – a tour of the world’s 100th Test Match venue, with visits to the changing rooms, players area and Media Centre; a visit to the award-winning CC4 Museum of Welsh Cricket a chance to play on BATIO, their wii-based cricket simulation; an opportunity to link into curriculum-based learnin
French Brothers offer a variety of cruises on the River Thames from Windsor and Runnymede. The two most popular trips from Windsor are the 2 hour round trip and the 40 minute round trip, both are available daily.
Learn how one girl’s journey transformed the lives of millions: Interactive displays, videos, exhibits and activities bring her fascinating story to life from 1800 to the present day.
When you bring your school to the museum you can take part in one of our lively, informative and hands on sessions. All of our sessions are delivered by a member of our Education Team and allow all students to handle original museum artifacts.
From 2014 we will offer our World War One “Kitchener’s Boys” experience. The project forms part of Fort Amherst`s commemoration of the Great War and recognises the role played by Fort Amherst & the Great Lines in training many thousands of Royal Engineers prior to their dispatch to the Front Line throughout the War.
Elegant public rooms at the heart of fashionable 18th-century Bath life
The Assembly Rooms were at the heart of fashionable Georgian society, the perfect venue for entertainment. When completed in 1771, they were described as 'the most noble and elegant of any in the kingdom'.
The Fashion Museum (Bath & North East Somerset Council) is on the lower ground floor.
Durham Wildlife Trust wants to inspire and excite people of all ages in nature and the great outdoors.
Learn With Dogs
Dogs Trust is the largest dog welfare charity in the UK. As well as rehoming dogs from one of our 20 Rehoming Centres, a large part of our work is to focus on Responsible Dog Ownership and Safety Around Dogs education. Dogs Trust Education Officers are available to deliver FREE interactive and engaging workshops to primary schools throughout the UK.
“Go Wild” at Dinosaur Adventure and treat your pupils to a monster day out!
An award-winning attraction with plenty for everyone to see and do, including our huge indoor adventure play area ‘DINOMITE’, plenty of animal handling sessions, large outdoor play areas, the Secret Animal Garden and Deer Safari, as well as the Dinosaur Trail and Neanderthal Walk.
Glorious house, surrounded by gardens, moorland and deer park
Welcome to Lyme Park. Nestling on the edge of the Peak District, Lyme Park was once home to the Legh family and, in its heyday a great sporting estate.
Somerset House is a major arts and cultural centre in the heart of London. During summer months 55 fountains dance in the courtyard, and in winter you can skate on London's favourite ice rink. Somerset House also programmes contemporary art and design exhibitions, free displays, family workshops and guided tours.
As the largest cruise operator on the River Thames, we offer a range of services dedicated to group organisers and tour operators.
Cruise along the beautiful River Dee with ChesterBoat; specialising in Sightseeing Cruises, Themed Cruises and Private Charters for all occasions.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust is the leading environmental charity in Cheshire offering high quality environmental education field trips and sessions to schools or community groups. We provide fantastic opportunities for outdoor learning at a range of locations across the county all complimenting the National Curriculum.
Bring the new National Curriculum to life with a trip to Celtic Harmony Camp!
The new history curriculum for KS2 calls for the study of prehistory from Stone Age to Iron Age and a focus on local history in KS1.
The magnificent Carew Castle has a history spanning 2,000 years. Set in a stunning location, overlooking a 23-acre millpond, the castle displays the development from a Norman fortification to an Elizabethan country house. There's plenty to see and do with an exciting summer-long activity programme.
Cornwall's Premier Steam Railway
Discover the excitement and nostalgia of steam travel with a journey back in time on the Bodmin Railway, evocative of a 1950's Steam Branch Line.
Enjoy a 13 mile return journey from Bodmin General Station to Bodmin Parkway in the Glynn Valley and Boscarne Junction in the Camel Valley.
Schools and colleges from around the world use Bancroft Cruisers to give their students a new perspective on the history of Will Shakespeare and his home-town, Stratford upon Avon.
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Latest News
British schoolgirl assaulted on school trip to Iceland
A viral video shows a black girl being assaulted by a white woman in a corridor.
Police in Iceland are investigating after a British schoolgirl was slapped and chased by a tour guide in a hotel corridor.
The schoolgirl, 13, who attended Harris Girls’ Academy, was assaulted whilst on a school trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. The incident occurred at Hotel Örk, Hveragerdi on 13th October.