Twenty schools from across the south and east of London have taken part in the Take One project at the Tower of London culminating in their work being displayed in the Banqueting House on Whitehall on 9 July 2012

Primary school children from across the city came to the Tower as part of Take One Building, an off-shoot of the established Take One project that seeks to use one building, picture or object to inspire creative classroom activity.

This year school groups were offered access for the first time to the Lower Bell Tower, the 12^th century tower in which Sir Thomas More was held prisoner for fifteen months in 1534.  Live interpreters brought the space to life and the children were encouraged to empathise with More’s daughter’s plight in seeing her father condemned to death. They were then tasked with creating their artworks back in the classroom.

Their works were presented at the Banqueting House on Whitehall, in the fitting surroundings of the Reubens painted ceiling, and the children received a certificate for their participation.

Catherine Jones, Education Officer for Historic Royal Palaces said: “We are absolutely delighted with the results of our 2012 Take One project. The creativity of the children’s work has been fantastic, and shows how both teachers and children have been inspired by their visits, and by the wealth of learning opportunities a heritage site such as the Tower of London can offer.

“Over 100 teachers and 400 children attended our celebration events at Banqueting House, and it was wonderful to observe the children's delight at seeing their work on display in such a prestigious building. We can't wait to start planning our next Take One project!"

Two further projects also took place at the Tower this year: Take One Armour looked at the armour of Henry VIII with the help of experts from the Royal Armouries, and Take One Document in partnership with Bishopsgate Institute focused on ‘The Letter to the Mistresses of the Household’, a document about the inhumanity of using child chimney sweeps.

In 2010, Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for the Tower of London, was named the London Champion for Take One working in partnership with Bishopsgate Institute, the National Gallery and the Jewish Museum, leading training for London-based education practitioners from across the heritage, museums, galleries and archives sectors. Now in its third year the 2011-12 project has inspired over 1,500 children to explore the immersive and transformative learning opportunities offered by cultural heritage.  

Participating schools:

·       Ben Jonson Primary School, Tower Hamlets

·       St. Elizabeth’s RC Primary School, Tower Hamlets

·       St. Anne’s RC Primary School, Tower Hamlets

·       St. Joseph’s RC Primary School, Southwark

·       Surrey Square Primary School, Southwark

·       Shaftesbury Primary School, Newham

·       Curwen Primary School, Newham

·       North Beckton Primary School, Newham

·       St. Edward’s RC Primary School, Newham

·       Berger Primary School, Hackney

·       Hilldene Primary School, Havering

·       Broadford Primary School, Havering

·       St. Bartholomew’s CE Primary School, Lewisham

·       Sandhurst Junior School, Lewisham

·       St. Michael’s CE Primary School, Haringey

·       Ferry Lane Primary School, Haringey

For press information or images, please contact the Historic Royal Palaces press office on 020 3166 6340 or email eloise.maxwell@hrp.org.uk