English Heritage East Midlands

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 East Midlands:

Ashby De La Zouch Castle, Leicestershire

Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire

Hardwick Old Hall, Derbyshire

Kirby Hall, Northamptonshire

Lincoln Medieval Bishop’s Palace, Lincolnshire

Peveril Castle, Derbyshire

Rushton Triangular Lodge, Northamptonshire

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.

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.

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 assessments.

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.

Many English Heritage sites can take groups of over 100 pupils but we recommend splitting large groups into smaller ones.

A maximum of 30 children per group is typical for the 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.

Teachers’ Kits are available at selected sites. These 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 your booking confirmation.

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.

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.

For more information or to make a booking, contact our Education Booking Team:

Phone: 0870 333 0606 (9am-5pm weekdays)

Website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/educationonlinebooking

Email: bookeducation@english-heritage.org.uk

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.

Some sites are in exposed areas and may have limited cover. Wear warm, waterproof clothing, and in hot weather, wear sun cream, sunhats, and bringing bottles of water is recommended. Visits are likely to involve a fair amount of walking on uneven ground. Sensible walking shoes are recommended in all seasons.

First aid boxes are available at all properties and most have first aiders.

Facilities at each site vary, with some having toilets, parking, and great picnic areas and others having indoor dining areas and education rooms. Please check our website for specific site information.

Children are very welcome in our shops, but we do ask that teachers supervise smaller groups at a time. A great range of souvenirs are available, with all profits going towards the upkeep of the properties. For further information about a site’s shop, please talk to site staff when you make your planning visit.

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 nee

Generally, sites are open daily from 1 April to 31 October, and on weekends from 1 November to 31 March.

However, opening times vary at different sites, so please check the Schools Information pages on our website for specific sites, or call 0870 333 0606 for details.

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.’