Remains of medieval castle on top of a hill
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
Located on the edge of Pinxton the site comprises a section of the Pinxton Canal and wharf pond.
Come face to face with dinosaurs, meet an Egyptian Mummy and see modern masterpieces with a visit to the Ulster Museum!
Enjoy our regular workshops, special exhibitions and guided tours.
Well preserved 17th century chapel with wonderful wood carvings and painted galleries. A feast for the eyes.
The Bovey Tracey Heritage Centre is situated in the Old Bovey Station building, which was in use for rail passenger traffic for nearly 100 years.
The Oldest Water Balance Lift Still In Operation
Saltburn's famous Cliff Lift has two cars, each of which is fitted with a water tank beneath, run on parallel tracks. The car at the top of the 71% incline has its tank filled with water until it overbalances the weight of the car 120ft below and proceeds down the incline under its own specific gravity.
A truly children-friendly museum with loads of drop in artsy and fun sessions plus interactive elements in all their exhibits. Trails, toddler sessions and plenty more to keep kids happy and interested. Free, too!
With plenty for the kids and a new archaeology gallery, the North Lincs Museum has a lot to offer!
The Bristol Life gallery explores people’s shared experiences in the city, from the momentous to the everyday – see, hear and share stories.
The Bristol People gallery explores activities past and present that make Bristol what it is – creating, trading, challenging and celebrating.
Narberth Museum has just opened in the historic Bonded Stores. Discover more about the people and places that made this ancient market town. Lots of hands-on fun and interactive exhibits for families whatever the weather.
Experience RE out of the classroom
Chelmsford Cathedral is a beautiful house of prayer and a unique educational resource. The light, joyous and colourful atmosphere together with the varied, contemporary works-of-art, enable it to be explored in many ways.
What do we offer schools?
Portsmouth Cathedral welcomes visitors for services, tours or simply a wander around.
The Cathedral is normally open to the public from 10am on weekdays and from after morning prayer on Saturday and between services on Sundays. The Cathedral closes after Evensong or Evening Prayer each day.
The Manchester City Museum and stadium tour was opened in 2004 at the club's new home ground, the City of Manchester Stadium.
There is a collection of club memorabilia showing items from City's past.
Stadium Tour
Here we pride ourselves in providing a fun, family friendly environment. Whether you fancy a ride on the miniature train, spending the day playing on our toddler park or adventure playground, even if it’s just feeding the ducks whilst enjoying an ice cream!
Saltburn Pier was opened to the public in May 1869, and to ease the access to the pier and promenade from the town, work was begun on a 120 foot high wooden vertical hoist, also designed by John Anderson. The hoist was in operation fourteen months after the opening of the pier.
Veiled underneath the drape of woody shades, the miniature forest offers an enthralling combination of history humor and entertainment.
The World of Mechanical Music is a living museum of the extraordinary variety of self-playing musical instruments and automata which were the pride and joy of our Great Grandparents, and the only kind of "canned" musical entertainment available in the home before regular broadcasting started up in 1924.
Visitors to Liverpool's famous Anfield stadium can combine a trip to the club's museum with a guided tour of the ground.
As well as showing off artefacts from the club's rich history it allows people to see behind the scenes.
Step into royal domesticity where the royal family lived as the 'simplest country gentlefolks'.
Take advantage of free entry for under-16s and free preliminary tickets to prepare for your visit.
Kew Palace, the Royal Kitchens and Queen Charlotte's Cottage... some of the must see sites at Kew.
This splendid 17th century baroque building housed a courtroom for assizes, raised on arches over a market space. It now houses the Abingdon Museum. On sunny days take in the lovely rooftop views overlooking the market square.
Boscobel House and its Royal Oak tree became famous as hiding places of King Charles II after defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Visitors can also see the dairy, farmyard, smithy and gardens.
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Schoolboy Falls From 60ft Cliff on School Trip
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.