Explore our original and historic site with sandstone caves with our actor led tours or wander through at your own pace with our fantastic audio tour.
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
National Justice Museum Education delivers educational programmes at a variety of courtrooms across Manchester and the North West including the Greater Manchester Police Museum and Manchester Metropolitan University
The only museum of its kind in Europe
Based at Nottingham's old county gaol, the Museum explores the fascinating history of crime and justice through time.
Education
This unique museum houses three courtrooms, a prison and police station plus a collection of over 40,000 legal, police and prison-related historical objects and artefacts, including the HM Prison Service collection.
Ford Castle is a Medieval castle set in the rolling countryside of Northumberland, with exciting activities hidden within the grounds. We provide group activity holidays for children who will adventure and explore their way into outdoor education as they enjoy activity sessions in a supportive environment with stunning scenery, where history comes to life.
Charming displays of over 100 remarkable shell-art creations made by actor Peter Coke (1913 to 2008).
This seaside gallery houses intricate gardens and flower arrangements all made from shells and described by the Daily Telegraph as ‘Wonderful art’.
Birthplace Project - The David Livingstone Centre is currently closed for refurbishment
personal - tailored - ethical - reasonable - educational - travel
Glo-Ed was created in 2017 by senior management from the educational travel industries & senior teachers from school, who shared a passion for education beyond the classroom, personal service and social responsibility.
Watch justice as it happens at the Royal Courts of Justice, commonly called the Law Courts.
A motte and bailey castle was built in about 1068 inside the south-west corner of Leicester, and became the centre of power for the first Norman overlord of the town, Hugh de Grentmaisnil. In 1107 Robert de Beaumont, first Earl of Leicester, established a college of canons (community of priests) at St Mary de Castro and probably rebuilt the castle defences in stone.
The Supreme Court, as well as being the final court of appeal, plays an important role in the development of United Kingdom law.
As an appeal court, The Supreme Court cannot consider a case unless a relevant order has been made in a lower court.
The Supreme Court:
The splendid Great Hall of Oakham Castle is one of the finest examples of late 12th century domestic architecture in England. Set in a tranquil green open space at the centre of Oakham, step back in time and enjoy this remarkable monument from Norman England.
The Castle has recently been awarded a substantial grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund for restorations and improvements.
Experience, Educate, Evolve
Specialists in school skiing, educational & sports tours & training - 60 years experience delivering excellent customer service and superb value tours.
The Discovery Barn
As one of the best family attractions in Essex there’s so much to do here at Barleylands Farm Park, Billericay whatever the weather. We’ve farmyard friends with daily animal activities including lamb bottle feeding, a huge Reptile House and awesome birds of prey. Race around the indoor play, and go wild in the outdoor play areas bouncing on our vast jumping pillow… boiiing!
A medieval townhouse, located on the doorstep of York Minster
Once home to the Lord Mayor of York, the building was long-forgotten and was scheduled for demolition until York Archaeological Trust restored it to its former glory, giving you the chance to experience what it would be like to live over five hundred years ago.
Schools
The world famous JORVIK Viking Centre is a ‘must-see’ for visitors to the city of York and is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK.
Bonbon voyage!
The "Musée du Bonbon“ with its hundreds of old exhibits and documents is a unique place that offers a wonderful insight into the history of the production of liquorice, fruit gums and bonbons. Fans and friends of old advertising materials from the time around the turn of the first millennium will rejoice in a wide range of historical posters and packaging of all kinds.
The 25 rooms of this unusual museum evoke the evolution of the washing techniques from Antiquity to present times. Old washing machines that still function, the reconstitution of a laundry, the ironing method, the history of soap and entertainment for children.
Birthplace of the Founder of the Salvation Army
A museum dedicated to telling the story of William Booth, his wife Catherine, their family and role they played in the formation of The Salvation Army.
The William Booth Birthplace Museum is open by appointment only, generally Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-4pm. Please telephone or email for appointments.
Two Kings, One Day
Visit the location of the Battle of Bosworth. Re-live this famous turning point in British history - the death of a King and the birth of the all powerful Tudor dynasty!
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre tells the dramatic story of the Battle of Bosworth on 22nd August 1485, which marked a major turning point in English history.
The Dylan Thomas Centre is a beautiful building in the Maritime Quarter near to Swansea's museums.
The interactive displays tell the story of the work, life and cultural context of one of the twentieth century’s most significant writers and poets, and the exhibition includes a learning space, activities for children, and a temporary exhibition area.
Stratford-upon-Avon's newest heritage site
Visit the great Bard of Stratford-upon-Avon's own classroom where William Shakespeare was taught and garnered inspiration for his plays and sonnets. Find out about Shakespeare's own childhood and education, including how he may have played female characters in class plays!
The Guildhall in Stratford was the administrative centre of the town and became the centre of its economic success.
Brunel's SS Great Britain is one of the most important historic ships in the world. When she was launched in 1843 she was called the 'Greatest Experiment since the Creation'. It was the first modern ship, with an iron hull - a revolution in design. People could barely understand how she could float.
Be the King or Queen of the Castle
With its 3,000 year history, stunning location and panoramic views over the dramatic Yorkshire coastline, Scarborough Castle fully deserves its place as one of the finest tourist attractions in the North. It started life as an Iron Age Fort, was occupied by the Romans, became a Viking settlement and reached its heyday under Henry II.
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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.