English Heritage North West
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Listed under: Day Trip Destinations | Wildlife and Nature Reserves | Team Building | Technology | Parks and Gardens | Outdoor Education | Museums | Historical Heritage | Cathedrals. Abbeys. Churches | Castles | Arts & Galleries | Science | Religious Education | PSHE | Music | Mathematics | Leisure and Tourism | ICT | History | Geography | Environmental Studies | English | Drama / Performing Arts | Design and Technology | Citizenship | Business Studies | Art and Design
What we offer on a school trip
In line with government guidelines, our staffed sites remain closed in the interests of public health. It is now clear that we will not be able to re-open on 1 May as we had originally hoped. Instead we will re-open as soon as government advice allows and only when we can ensure the safety of our visitors and our staff and volunteers.
Further to this, the charity has taken the decision to take advantage of the government furlough scheme to ensure the continual employment of as many of our people as we possibly can during these challenging times.
We will however continue to operate, but with fewer staff. This means I'll be unavailable from April 14th but I should be back in the business in the not too distant future.
In the meantime if you have any queries, please contact Verity at verity.hope@english-heritage.org.uk
English Heritage aims to bring learning to life and inspire your students in the places where history really happened. Whether on a free self-led visit or an expert-led workshop, you can explore England’s story at a range of historic sites suited for learning across multiple subjects and key stages.
English Heritage offers learning groups:
- free entry to all properties plus free teacher planning visits and property information
- useful online resources
- education facilities, resources and activities at selected properties
All we ask is that you book at least 14 days in advance, include planned and structured learning activities and have someone in charge of leading your group.
Sites in the North West of England:
Beeston Castle, Cheshire (Discovery Visit workshops available: Prehistory, Medieval Life)
Birdoswald Roman Fort, Cumbria
Brougham Castle, Cumbria
Carlisle Castle, Cumbria (Discovery Visit workshops available: Medieval Life)
Furness Abbey, Cumbria
Lanercost Priory, Cumbria
Stott Park Bobbin Mill, Cumbria (Guided tours only)
Book a free self-led visit at any of these sites*, or add an expert-led Discovery Visit workshop, available at selected sites from £100 per class. Please visit http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/education for full details.
*Excludes Stott Park Bobbin Mill, allowing visits by guided tour only. These are available for KS1-3, at a cost of £50 for up to 17 children plus accompanying adults.
What makes us a great choice for education?
English Heritage can help you to create unique and memorable learning experiences at hundreds of historic sites across England, including Roman forts, Victorian Halls, medieval castles and abbeys, and the iconic Stonehenge. These experiences support the National Curriculum across a wide range of subjects and all key stages.
What is typically included on our school trips?
Self-led visits enable you to lead your visit to your chosen site in your own way. You can bring your class to any of our sites entirely free of charge. We offer free entry to pre-booked schools, as well as free planning visits to help you make the most out of your day. Use our free downloadable resources to help with your planning and risk assessment.
Expert-led Discovery Visits are available at selected sites for just £100 per class. Students of all ages and abilities can meet characters from the past, role-play or handle intriguing objects. These workshops are linked to the national curriculum and suit a wide range of learning styles, encouraging active participation, introducing new vocabulary and developing enquiry skills.
Group Sizes Catered For
Many English Heritage sites can take groups of over 100 but we recommend splitting large groups into smaller ones. A maximum of 30 children per group is typical for Discovery Visit workshops and the ratio of adults to children should be 1:6 for years up to Year 2 (age 6 and under), 1:8 for Years 3 to 5 (ages 7-10) and 1:15 for all other groups.
Materials, Resources & Information Provided
Teachers’ Kits are available at selected sites, and contain the property facility details, historic information and learning activity ideas for before, during and after your trip. To help with your risk assessments, hazard information is available for all sites and will be sent to you along with booking confirmation.
Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions
Children are encouraged to take photos, make films, drawings, music, drama and other creative work to support and embed learning at historical sites. Share your ideas and images on Twitter @EHEducation.
Risk Assessment Details
Hazard Information Sheets are available for all sites to help make risk assessments easy. These are emailed along with site permits once bookings have been confirmed.
Education Officer Information
For more information or to make a booking, contact our Education Booking Team:
Phone: 0870 333 0606 (9am-5pm weekdays)
Online: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/educationonlinebooking
Pricing Information
Learning groups can visit any English Heritage historical site FREE of charge.
Expert-led Discovery Visit workshops are available at selected sites for a cost of £100 per school group of up to 30 children. Teachers and adult helpers are free.
Clothing Requirements
Some sites are in exposed areas and may have limited cover. Wear warm, waterproof clothing, and in hot weather, sun cream, sunhats and bottles of water are recommended. Visits are likely to involve a fair amount of walking on uneven ground. Sensible walking shoes are recommended in all seasons.
Available Facilities
Facilities at each site vary, some having toilets, parking and great picnic areas and others have indoor dining areas and education rooms. Please check our website for specific site information.
Children are very welcome in our shops but we ask that teachers supervise smaller groups at a time. A great range of souvenirs of the visit are available, with all profits going towards the upkeep of properties. For further information about a site's shop, please talk to site staff when you make your planning visit.
Accessibility & Disabled Facilities
Teachers’ Kits include details of access and facilities for visitors with disabilities. You can also check site information on our website, or phone 0870 333 0606 regarding specific needs.
Opening Hours & Information
Generally, sites are open daily from 1 April to 31 October, and weekends only from 1 November to 31 March. However, opening times vary at different sites so please check Schools information pages on our website for specific sites, or call 0870 333 0606 for details.
Testimonials
Teachers:
‘Absolutely brilliant - the kids loved it’
‘Fitted in with everything we are doing on the subject’
‘We liked the mixture of listening and then doing. The activities provided were excellent and engaging’
‘My class were enthralled and have been talking non-stop about their visit. I am glad we made the effort of sitting for 2 hours in the coach - it really was worth it!’
Students:
‘Really good fun’
‘The best day out I’ve ever had’
‘The best bit was getting to do things not just listening and looking’
Discovery Visit leaders:
‘It's feelings and experiences that are important. Through them, the true story of a place can be brought alive’
‘Re-enactment is a brilliant way to teach. It engages children who then become interested and start listening to what you say’
