Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3 sessions

Engaging and challenging sessions to get KS3 students thinking! Give your students the opportunity to investigate history through source-based investigation, including the palace buildings themselves and object handling.

Sessions are devised for groups of up to 35 children.

Explore Henry VIII's kitchens

In this popular session students will discover the 16th century technology used to feed the court of Henry VIII. Working with two costumed presenters, the group will use artefacts within the historic environment as evidence to investigate the lives lived within the palace.

The session especially supports the key concept of interpretation, examining how the past is presented in the displays, and the key processes of using evidence.

Further information:
Explore Henry VIII's kitchens (PDF 35.1 KB)
Online resource: Henry VIII's Kitchens

Monday to Friday
Autumn/spring only
10.30, 11.30, 12.45, 13.30
45 minutes
£100 plus admission
How to book >

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Henry's grand design?

Was Henry VIII's Hampton Court a private residence or a propaganda tool? Students will be guided through the Tudor palace by a specialist costumed interpreter. They will learn how to distinguish between original and recreation, to interpret the significance of Tudor architecture, and to base arguments on primary sources.

This session especially supports the key process of using evidence.

Further information: Henry's grand design? (PDF 44.6 KB)
Online resource: Click here and look for "Inspirational Images"

Monday to Friday
Autumn/spring only
10.30, 11.45, 13.15
1 hour
£90 plus admission
How to book >

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"I really appreciated how you challenged the pupils, stretched their abilities and got them to think much more about their studies. Thank you!"

Teacher comment on Henry's grand design?

We have the following sessions still available to book in July 2013:

Tuesday 2 July
Elizabeth I Politics and Power at 10.30

Thursday 4 July
Henry's Propaganda or Investigating History at 11.45

Tuesday 9 July
Sport of Kings at 13.15

Thursday 11 July
Sport of Kings at 11.45 or 13.15

Friday 12 July
Henry's Propaganda or Investigating History at 10.30
Sport of Kings at 11.45 or 13.15

Please note that is late availability is for guidence only, we would strongly advise you to contact the education administration office to obtain the most up to date information on availability before you make any travel arrangements etc.

Investigation sessions

Sport of kings >
Investigating history >
Henry's Propaganda >
Elizabeth I: power and politics >

Sport of kings

Henry VIII was a great sportsman. In an age in which sporting and military glory were central tenets of masculinity, this helped to define his reign. Students will investigate the world of sport and games in this interactive hands-on session.

This session especially supports the key concept of interpretation, looking at image and historical reality, and the key process of using evidence.

Further information: Sport of kings (PDF 36.1 KB)
Online resource: Joust for Henry VIII

Thursdays and Fridays
10.30, 11.45, 13.15
1 hour
£90 plus admission
How to book >

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Investigating history

This session explores the historian's techniques by considering the use of evidence. Using an array of artefacts, documents, paintings and clothing, students will analyse how we know about the past, and the extent to which evidence can be trusted.

This session especially supports the key processes of historical enquiry, in testing beliefs about the past, and using evidence through attempting to support or disprove these beliefs.

Further information:
Investigating history (PDF 44.9 KB)

Thursdays and Fridays
10.30, 11.45, 13.15
1 hour
£90 plus admission
How to book >

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Henry's Propaganda

Students will learn the fascinating stories and symbolism behind some of the famous pictures of Henry VIII. Led by a costumed presenter, and including role-play, this session will examine the Tudor use of image, and consider the advantages and limitations of paintings as primary sources.

This session especially supports the key concept of interpretation expressed in changing portraiture, and the process of using evidence.

Further information: Henry's Propaganda (PDF 45 KB)
Online resource: Click here and look for "Henry's Women" Henry's Propaganda

Thursdays and Fridays
10.30, 11.45, 13.15
1 hour
£90 plus admission
How to book >

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Elizabeth I: power and politics

In 1562 Elizabeth I contracted smallpox at Hampton Court Palace and lay delirious, apparently on the point of death. It was one of the most intense succession crises of her reign. Led by a costumed interpreter, students will take on the role of the Queen's counsellors at this time of great danger. They will take part in a heated debate: if the Queen dies, who should have the throne?

This session especially supports the key concept of cause and consequence, and the key processes of using evidence and communication.

Further information:
Elizabeth I: power and politics (PDF 45.7 KB)

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
10.30, 11.45, 13.15
1 hour
£90 plus admission
How to book >

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Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3 sessions

Palace based sessions

Explore Henry VIII's kitchens

Henry's grand design?

"I really appreciated how you challenged the pupils, stretched their abilities and got them to think much more about their studies. Thank you!"

Investigation sessions

Sport of kings

Investigating history

Henry's Propaganda

Elizabeth I: power and politics

Palace Connections

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