Expect the unexpected including a space toiler, a seven-toed cat and a pregnant man.
Delve into the archives of scientific geniuses such as James Lovelock or peer into the future of the latest psychological advances.
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
The Yorkshire Air Museum is the largest independent air museum in Britain and is also the location of The Allied Air Forces Memorial. It is a Registered Charity and nationally accredited museum (No.66).
Step back in time to discover a restored mill and working forge in this pretty village
Nestling in a valley that reaches down to the sea on east Devon’s dramatic Jurassic Coast, the village of Branscombe is surrounded by picturesque countryside with miles of tranquil walking through woodland, farmland and beach. Branscombe's charming thatched houses, working forge and restored watermill add to the timeless magic of the place.
A full-size railway service running regular steam-hauled passenger trains between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, largely along the scenic River Severn. We operate along 16 miles of track from Kidderminster via Bewdley to Bridgnorth.
The only surviving windmill on the Isle of Wight
This little gem is a Grade 1 listed building and one of the island's most iconic images. Built around 1700, it last operated in 1913 but still has most of its original machinery intact.
Climb to the top of the mill then find out how it once worked as you descend its four floors.
A unique collection of vehicles from around the world. Over 400 amazing cars and bikes from nostalgic classics of the 50s and 60s, glorious Bentleys and Rolls Royces to exciting super cars of today, like the Jaguar XJ220.
Our Halls include:
The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal is a canal in the south Midlands of England. The canal, which was built between 1793 and 1816, runs for 25.5 miles in total, and consists of two sections.
The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal runs from Birmingham's suburbia to Shakespeare's Stratford in 25.5 picturesque miles.
The canal is usually considered as a northern and a southern section.
In a beautiful valley of the river Frome, on the border between Wiltshire and Somerset and only nine miles from Bath, stands the remains of Farleigh Hungerford Castle.
Started in the 14th century, it still has much for visitors to enjoy and provides a great day out for families to enjoy the beautiful surrounding countryside.
Explore what life was like for Hampshire people in the past by wandering through Milestones’ old cobbled streets. And as you wander round you may also encounter some of our costumed characters…
Enthusiasts will enjoy our collection of beautifully restored vintage vehicles - and so will kids of all ages!
Dramatic fortified manor house and small formal garden
A rare survivor, this medieval fortress with high curtain walls, towers and a portcullis, set in a landscape of rolling hills and orchards, is a bewitching mixture of romance and history.
Home for nearly 600 years to the Gilbert family, including Sir Humphrey Gilbert - half-brother to Sir Walter Raleigh.
School trips have never been this good!
Looking for inspiration to give your pupils a day out they’ll never forget?
Childhood home of Welsh author Dr Kate Roberts, Wales' Queen of Literature. Grade II listed quarryman's cottage. Foundation Phase History, English & senses self-led activity pack. Guided tours by Heritage Officer on request.
Housing the Robert Opie collection, the world's largest collection of packaging and related materials.
Learning
A beautifully crafted museum where the static steam engines that used to power so many aspects of our lives are treasured and brought back to working life through an extraordinary system of steam pipes running throughout the complex of engine sheds.
When in full public service, the railway will operate a circular tour with optional change at picnic station for trains to Far Leys car park.
The Cathedral Church of St Mel is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, located in the town Irish town of Longford. Built between 1840 and 1856, with the belfry and portico as later additions, it has been considered the "flagship cathedral" of the Irish midlands region, Longford's "landmark building" and "one of the finest Roman Catholic churches in Ireland".
The Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford offers a fun, entertaining day out for all the entire family. Situated next to an active airfield, this is the only place in the Midlands where you can get close to so many breathtaking aircraft for free.
The UK's largest volunteer-managed aviation museum with 75 aircraft and cockpit sections from across the history of aviation. 2 large Display Hangars housing more than 50 airframes; engine / artefacts displays; cafe and large shop. Regular special events and education programmes available.
Education Provision - Building for the Future
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