We're currently conserving the White Tower – a huge task only undertaken once every sixty or eighty years. As skilled stonemasons give this iconic fortress a facelift, school groups can experience historic building conservation first-hand.
There's the opportunity to get a raven's eye view of the ancient stones, as well as exploring traditional crafts. The works will end in 2010 and places are strictly limited, so don't miss this chance of a lifetime to get a unique insight into conservation in action.
Sessions at each key stage have been specifically designed to support the Science, Design and Technology, Geography and Art and Design curricula. See individual session listings for more details.
Tailor your session
The White Tower conservation project offers learning opportunities that can support the National Curriculum in many other ways. We would happily design a bespoke session or a creative workshop adapted to your scheme of work.
Grasp your chance to work on such a unique project and contact our Education Officer for further details:
emilie.rolland@hrp.org.uk
Tel: 020 3166 6654
Key Stage 2 sessions (7-11 yrs)
The White Tower rocks!
The White Tower is made up of thousands of stones. Details of every one must be recorded during the conservation project. Pupils will help our geologists map out the walls of the fortress by comparing samples to identify the different types of rocks used in the White Tower.
Tuesday to Thursday
11.00, 13.30
1 hour
£90 plus admission
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Materials: mix and match
The White Tower needs careful treatment. In this session students will become conservators and help preserve the Norman fortress. They will make and test different mortar recipes to match the original medieval mortar used centuries ago. This handson workshop is an exciting opportunity to explore traditional craft skills and understand why they are still important today.
Tuesday to Thursday
11.00, 13.30
1 hour
£90 plus admission
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Masons: medieval versus modern
The White Tower has seen many masons throughout its history. Are building conservators working in a very different way to their medieval counterparts? By examining tools, materials and images, pupils will be invited to explore the differences and similarities. This session especially supports awareness of building craft across different time periods through exposure to a wide range of objects and visual resources.
Tuesday to Thursday
11.00, 13.30
1 hour
£90 plus admission
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Curriculum information
Schemes of work: sessions are designed alongside Science materials units 1c, 2d, 3c.
Across the curriculum: these sessions connect in particular to Science Sc3, understanding changing materials, and to Design and Technology, working with tools, equipment, materials and components, and knowledge and understanding of materials and components. 'Masons' connects in particular to Art and Design, the roles and purposes of artists, craftspeople and designers working in different times and cultures.
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Key Stage 3 sessions (11-14 yrs)
Take a peek...
For the first time ever students can put on hard hats, access the conservation site, and take a closer look at the White Tower. Working in three different teams, students will investigate the fabric of the Tower firsthand, exploring the different approaches taken by a scientist, a designer and a conservator as they work on this amazing project. This session especially supports the key process of enquiry in Geography and Science.
Tuesday to Thursday
Autumn/summer only
11.00, 13.30
90 minutes
£100 plus admission
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Tower of London: a landmark setting?
The White Tower conservation project is a great opportunity to study how the setting and environment of the Tower of London has evolved throughout its history, most notably in the last 60 years. Is the White Tower still a City landmark? Students will enhance their analytical and creative thinking skills as they debate different attitudes and values associated with the Tower. This session especially supports the key process of geographical enquiry.
Tuesday to Thursday
11.00, 13.30
1 hour
£90 plus admission
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Curriculum information
Range and content: 'Take a peek' connects in particular to Science section 3.4, 'the environment, Earth and universe', and Geography '1.5', physical and human processes. 'A landmark setting' connects to Geography '1.7', cultural understanding and diversity.
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Higher and further education
The White Tower conservation project is a rare opportunity for further and higher education groups to engage with one of the nation's major building conservation projects and learn from the work of our experts.
The Tower Education Service can devise bespoke talks or tours designed to suit your course or programme needs. For more information or to book a visit don't hesitate to contact us:
emilie.rolland@hrp.org.uk
Tel: 020 3166 6654
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