The Museum of Fulham Palace, on Friday 17th October
This visit involved a workshop on stories of Tudor history at the Palace, from Catherine of Aragon's visit to the theft of Queen Elizabeth's salt! The children learnt how to interpret historical artefacts and tried on some wonderful Tudor costumes.
The National Portrait Gallery, on Friday 21st November
The children took part in a workshop on the marriage of Henry VIII to Anne of Cleves in 1540. The class were divided into two courts. Working from the Gallery’s pictures and resources the pupils produced drawings of their monarch together with written descriptions and devised questions to ask the other court. The two courts then met and each one had to decide whether they thought the marriage should go ahead or not.
The Wallace Collection on Tuesday 24th February
The children had two workshops on this day called Story making: Set your own story in a Fairy Tale Palace. It involved looking round the magnificent 18th Century London house with its magical atmosphere, glittering chandeliers, ornately furnished rooms and huge golden staircase made for a king. It was a perfect setting for a story of any kind. The children gathered ideas for a story setting and plot and then devised an outline for a whodunit, a fairy tale, a romance or a robbery!
The second workshop was entitled Knight or Foot Soldier: A Soldier’s Life in Tudor Times. This workshop examined how different ranks of the Tudor army protected themselves in battle. The children looked at some Tudor portraits and investigated the purpose, materials, production and style of armour from this period through touching and trying on original armour and modern body protection.
Hampton Court Palace on Friday 13th March
Hampton Court was a quiet, magical and mysterious during this visit with its dark corridors, cold courtyards and blazing fireplaces. You could really feel the ghosts of Henry VIII and his wives haunting the palace. The children had a guided tour of the Great Hall, Henry VIII’s apartments and the Tudor kitchens, as well as participating in a workshop on ‘Marrying Henry’. In the afternoon we all had a visit to the maze.
Tudor Day on Wednesday 4th March
The children came dressed up for this special day which involved some drama and art activities as well as having a special workshop on Tudor musical instruments from a professional Tudor musical expert. We also had a large and delicious Tudor feast!
Orange Tree Theatre Workshop on Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ on Friday 1st May
This activity was part of The Orange Tree Theatre’s Primary Shakespeare Project where the children were introduced to the story of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in an accessible and enjoyable way. One of the actors conducted a two-hour workshop in school where the children became actively and imaginatively involved in the play’s narrative and characters. The story and language of the play were explored through in-role drama activities and improvisation. The workshop served to prepare the children to see the production.
The National Archives, Kew on Monday 5th May
Here we took part in a workshop on ‘Tudor Imagery and Henry VIII’. The children became real historical detectives using original documents from the reign of Henry VIII as evidence to help them decide for themselves what Henry was really like, both as a person and as a king. They saw documents signed by Henry himself: the inventory of his jewel house, documents illuminated with images of Henry and lists of decorations used in entertainments at his court. Later the children examined real Tudor handwriting and then tried on some replica Tudor clothes.
A Performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at The Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond Friday 8th May
This was a specially adapted and lively performance designed to follow up the workshop and the children loved the performance.
Shakespeare’s Globe and The Golden Hinde on Friday 22nd May
The children had a tour of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and then participated in an hour workshop on ‘Macbeth’ led by an actor from The Globe. Later we all went to visit the special Shakespeare exhibition.
After lunch we went to see ‘The Golden Hinde’ and had a tour of Sir Francis Drake’s famous ship. The children explored the ship and even had a go at firing the cannons!
Residential Visit to Osmington Bay, Dorset on Monday 1st June-Friday 5th June.
The Imperial War Museum on Monday 15th June
As part of our continuing study on The Evacuees we went to this museum in London to see the marvellous exhibition on’ The Children’s War’. We also participated in the interactive and exciting ‘The Blitz Experience’ and had a workshop entitled ‘Through Children’s Eyes’, about real children who were evacuated in the Second World War.
Evacuees Day/Assembly on Friday 19th June/Thursday 25th June
As part of our study on ‘Carrie’s War’ the children came dressed up as evacuees on this day and were involved in some role-play and improvisation involving the Second World War evacuees. The children then made a moving presentation about the Evacuees in our Assembly.
‘Horrible Histories: Woeful Second World War’ at Richmond Theatre on Friday 26th June
Using actors and amazing 3D Bogglevision effects this show thrilled the children. Historical figures and events came alive on stage and hovered at their fingertips. From Terry Deary, the world’s best selling fiction writer for children, this ground breaking theatrical presentation left the children gasping!
‘Carrie’s War’ at the Apollo Theatre, London on Tuesday 30th June
As part of our study of this book the children went to see this production at the Apollo Theatre. It was a very moving and powerful performance.
It has been an exciting year!
Mr D Harwin
Year 5 Form Teacher
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