Key Stage Two Workshops

Saxons

Choice of 2 options from the below:

  • Saxon Archaeology - Children will learn about archaeological practices and how these practices can be used to gather information. They will investigate the types of items that the Saxons left behind and how we can use these to gain an understanding of the lives of Saxon communities and their culture. In small groups the children will have the chance to try out their skills as a trainee archaeologist by retrieving and cataloguing a sample of finds.
  • Saxon Soldier – Through comparing and contrasting the difference between a high status Saxon soldier and a low status Saxon soldier, students will learn about the tribal nature of Saxon society and social hierarchy. They will explore the difference between battle wear and weaponry of trained soldiers compared to that of a lower status soldier and will practice defensive battle tactics such as the implementation of a shieldwall.
  • Saxon & Viking Archaeology - Students will investigate the types of items left behind by the Saxons and Vikings. They will use archaeological practices to discover an assortment of items including replica Saxon and Viking artefacts and explore what this indicates about their culture. This is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
  • Saxon & Viking Soldier – During this session students will compare and contrast the differences and similarities between Saxon and Viking warriors. They will learn about the origins of each culture, different battle tactics used by each side and have an opportunity to role play Saxons or Vikings while practicing their battle cries in a shieldwall activity. This is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
  • Local History Topic ‘Magnificent Mercians’ - The session explores the importance of Tamworth and Mercia during the Saxon period and what life was like living in a Saxon burh. Areas of exploration cover the roles of King Penda, King Offa and Aethelflaed and their links to Tamworth, the Saxon burh and Saxon culture. This is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
  • Saxon Storytelling - Students will be introduced to the forms of communication used by Saxons such as the spoken word, old English, and runes. They will look at the limitations of these forms due to literacy levels and explore the use of storytelling by the Saxons as a form of entertainment, as a social community activity, as a vehicle of communicating belief systems and to pass on oral history. This is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Information
Total cost per child: £8.50 (including admission) 
Sessions: 50 mins per session.
Availability: All year round subject to availability
Curriculum links
Britain's settlement by Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon invasions, settlement & Kingdoms
Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture
The Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the kingdom of England
Extends pupils chronological knowledge beyond 1066
Local history study

 

 


 

Medieval Household & Soldier

Session 1: Taking on the role of a medieval servant, children will learn about life in a medieval castle. They will learn about who would have lived at the castle, the daily chores of a medieval servant and the differences in items used during the medieval period compared to modern times. Children will make pomanders which they will take home and find out how and why they were used. This session focuses on the difference between rich and poor and contrast between then and now.

Session 2: Focusing on the differences between a high status and low status soldier, children will learn about the social hierarchy in the medieval period and the castle as a defensive structure. They will explore the difference between battle wear and weaponry and participate in bill drill using a bill hook (a foam one not a real one!).

Information
Total cost per child: £8.50 (including admission)
Runtime: 50 mins per session.
Availability: All year round subject to availability
Curriculum links
Events beyond living memory
People & places in own locality
Develop an awareness of the past
Identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods
Extends pupils chronological knowledge beyond 1066

 

Tudor workshops

  • Session 1: Students take on the role of a Tudor servant in the castle assisting the head servant to prepare the room for a big banquet. They will learn about who would have lived at the castle, the daily chores of a Tudor servant and the differences in items used during the Tudor period compared to modern times. Children will make pomanders which they will take home, and find out how and why they were used. This session focuses on the difference between rich and poor and contrasts between then and now.
  • Session 2: There are two different options you can chose for your second session:
  • Option A: Tudor Handling
    Using original and replica Tudor artefacts, students will learn about what life in the castle would have been like in the Tudor period. Comparisons between the rich and poor, then and now will be studied. Students will also have the opportunity to practice Tudor writing with a quill and ink, and have the opportunity to take home their work.
  • Option B: Tudor Dancing
    Dance was a very important part of life in Tudor times, it was used to celebrate, to show off skills, to socialise and for entertainment. In this session students will join in with an assortment of slow and lively Tudor dances. Throughout the dances children will explore the use of dance and the differences between those of the rich and poor.
Information
Total cost per child: £8.50 (including admission) 
Runtime: 50 mins per session.
Availability: All year round subject to availability
Curriculum links
Events beyond living memory
People & places in own locality
Develop an awareness of the past
Identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods
Extends pupils chronological knowledge beyond 1066

 

Guided Tours

The tours are designed to encourage children to explore the Castle through activities including handling armour, costume and household objects. The tour focuses on the use of the castle rooms and the life of the different inhabitants. The sessions can be tailored to meet the requirements of the group’s study needs.

Information
Total cost per child: £8.50 (including admission) 
Runtime: Approximately one & a half hours per tour
Availability: All year round subject to availability
Curriculum links
Events beyond living memory
People & places in own locality
Develop an awareness of the past
Identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods
Extends pupils chronological knowledge beyond 1066