In October 2011, almost 70 teachers from primary schools across London visited the Tower of London to be trained in Take One, before returning to their classrooms to implement their choice of project: Take One Building, Take One Armour or Take One Document.

Sixteen primary schools from the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Newham, Lewisham, Hackney, Haringey and Havering took part in the project.

Take One Building 2011 - 2012

Our focus for 2011-12 was the 12th century Bell Tower, which is one of the Tower of London’s most significant towers.  The Bell Tower is the second oldest tower after the White Tower, and may have been built on the orders of King Richard I (Richard the Lionheart: 1189-99), himself a great founder of castles in France.  Although he spent only a few months in England throughout his entire reign, Richard is thought to have given orders to his Chancellor, William Longchamp, Bishop of Ely, to embark on the first major building programme at the Tower since the construction of the White Tower by William the Conqueror, and we strongly suspect that the Bell Tower formed part of this elaborate scheme of defences.  Until the river Thames was pushed back with the construction of the outer wall in the 1280s, the Bell Tower would originally have risen directly from the water’s edge.  Accessed via Tower Green, the Bell Tower now forms part of the domestic offices of the Constable of the Tower of London. 

The Bell Tower was not constructed as a prison, but it has a strong association with the history of imprisonment in this fortress.  As it adjoined the Lieutenant’s Lodgings (the home of the Lieutenant of the Tower, the chief Tower official, who would have been responsible for the prisoners) and was accessed only via his rooms, it was extremely secure and was considered very suitable for powerful and politically sensitive detainees.  Two of the Tower’s most famous prisoners are thought to have been imprisoned here in 1534: Sir Thomas More and Bishop John Fisher, both of whom famously refused to swear allegiance to Henry VIII as Supreme Head of the Church in England.
Children who took part in the Take One Building project visited the Tower of London for a three-part education workshop that was designed especially for Take One and focused on the compelling story of Sir Thomas More, and the architecture of the Bell Tower. 

Teacher quotes:

“I have never known our children to be so quiet and captivated – what a wonderful way to tell the story!  It really brought history to life!”

“A great storytelling session, particularly with the atmosphere of being in the actual chamber”

 “This was such a special opportunity.  The children loved it!”

To browse the 2012 Take One Building exhibition, click here

To find out more about each school’s 2012 Take One Building project, browse the PDF

PDF: Teacher notes – Bell Tower


Participating Schools in Take One Building 2011-12:
Ben Jonson Primary School, Tower Hamlets – Year Six
Broadford Primary School, Havering - Year Five/Six
Sandhurst Junior School, Lewisham – Year Five
St. Elizabeth’s RC Primary School, Tower Hamlets – Year Five
Ferry Lane Primary School, Haringey – Year Four
St. Joseph’s RC Primary School, Southwark – Year Three/Four
North Beckton Primary School, Newham – Year Six
St. Anne’s RC Primary School, Tower Hamlets – Year Three
St. Edward’s RC Primary School, Newham – Year Four
Surrey Square Primary School, Southwark – Year Five
Berger Primary School, Hackney – Year Two
Berger Primary School, Hackney – Year Four