Treat your class to a 90 minute journey through 1000 years of London’s murky history, as our full cast of entertaining theatrical actors bring to life gripping stories of the capital’s most infamous characters and events.
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
Dobroyd Castle is a 19th century mansion set high up on the Todmorden moors enjoying some fantastic views of the surrounding area and accommodated up to 285 children. The castle has both architectural and historical significance in the area.
A quirky little museum, with 3 floor that are jam packed with items from popular British Culture from Victorian times to present day. Fascinating for the kids, and possibly nostalgic for the adults!
The museum is run by a friendly husband and wife team, who have dedicated their lives to building and maintaining this incredible collection.
Oriel y Parc Visitor Centre and Gallery is located in St David's, Britain's smallest city, and is in the UK's only truly coastal National Park.
Our gallery, home to Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales in Pembrokeshire, displays works of art from the national collection, with exhibitions drawing inspiration from Pembrokeshire’s incredible landscapes.
Southwark Cathedral Education Centre aims to bring learning to life. Using the Cathedral as an inspirational resource, we provide curriculum-linked trails and workshops for children and young people that are exciting, engaging and experiential. We want to ensure that schools enjoy their time here and are eager to return.
Chichester Cathedral is a busy place with visitors, worshippers and pilgrims coming from all over the world. Join us here for unique learning opportunities where pupils, students and families can immerse themselves in nine centuries of Cathedral stories - explore, debate and share. Most of all it is your Cathedral - a place of inspiration and reflection for 900 years.
See a bus so old it was pulled along the street by horses. Get behind the driver's seat of our tube train simulator, experience journeys of a bygone era. Your only problem will be trying to fit it all in!
School Trips
Opened in 1865 the Watercress Line connected rural Hampshire to the heart fo London by rail. It got its name from the fresh produce it carried to the city making the movement of fresh produce in bulk a realistic possibility allowing urbanisation and fuelling the Industrial Revolution.
Larne Museum and Arts Centre is situated in the heart of Larne and is the operational centre for all Larne Borough Council Arts, Heritage and Civic events.
Explore the greatest collection of artillery in the UK and discover their fascinating history, and learn about the roles of Gunners. Free entry for kids under 4 years old.
There is plenty to see and find out in a variety of different displays and exhibits, some of which are audiovisual. There are also clearly written information panels.
So much more than just tanks!
The tank was a British invention that changed warfare for ever when it was introduced in the First World War and Bovington has been the home of the tank ever since.
At The Tank Museum we bring the history of tanks and tank crew to life… Supported by the world’s best collection of tanks & action packed live displays.
Brings together an award winning archaeology museum and one of the region's premier art galleries, the Usher Gallery, in the heart of historic Lincoln. Play at The Collection is an exciting free activity centre for younger visitors which encourages learning through play!
Our collections have outstanding collections in the fields of archives, art, science and technology, ethnography, archaeology, military and social history, maritime history and natural sciences. Our art, natural science, archives and science and industry collections have been awarded Designated status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in recognition of their national importance.
The Learning Department at Wakefield Cathedral covers a wide area of work. We often run workshops and visits for schools, uniformed organisations and community groups. We run family activities during holidays and weekends both in our own buildings and out in the community. We facilitate quiet days and groups for women and asylum seekers.
Littledean Jail is not just a prison. It is by far Europe's largest true crime, politically incorrect, bizarre, diverse museum and visitor attraction.
Welcome to Littledean Jail, a former house of correction, police station and courthouse is the county’s most talked about, most unorthodox, not to be missed historical visitor attraction set in the Royal Forest of Dean.
The technology behind communication has changed the world. Mobiles, fibre optics, the World Wide Web, radio and television would not have been possible without the development of the telegraph and early wireless technology.
Headquarters of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), this historic Grade II listed building was constructed between 1910 and 1913.
The conference, event and wedding venue is located in the centre of Westminster and has 21 function rooms including the stunning Great Hall which can host events for up to 400 people.
Ballaghaderreen Cathedral (also known as The Cathedral Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Nathy) is a cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Achonry in the Irish town of Ballaghaderreen.
Cromford Mill, the world’s first successful water powered cotton spinning mill, was built in 1771 by Sir Richard Arkwright. From then until around 1790, he continued to develop the mills, warehouses and workshops, which now form the Cromford Mills site.
Considered as a whole it presents a remarkable picture of an early textile factory complex.
Piercebridge Roman Fort (possibly originally known as Morbium or Vinovium) is a scheduled ancient monument situated in the village of Piercebridge on the banks of the rover Tees.
Discover Basingstoke and Deane's rich archaeological heritage including the unusual Iron Age burial found at Viables, the Roman burial from Winklebury and reconstructions of nationally important Saxon buildings at Cowderys Down.
A charming town museum
Diss Museum is housed in the historic Shambles building on Diss Market place. A small but perfectly-formed museum, it hosts changing exhibitions about Diss and nearby villages, packed with local interest.
Originally a tribal centre of the Iron Age Atrebates, Silchester became the large and important Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum. Unlike most Roman towns, it was never re-occupied or built over after its abandonment in the 5th century, so archaeological investigations give an unusually complete picture of its development.
The Harrington Aviation Museums comprise the Carpetbagger Aviation and Secret War Museum and the Northamptonshire Aviation Society Museum.
These museums offer a rare look at life on this Top Secret base of the 801st/492nd American Eighth Air Force Bombardment Group during World War 2.
Pages
Featured Provider
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.
Login/Sign Up
Latest News
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.