History The Learning Department offers a variety of history activities for students of all Key Stages and beyond. Most schools combine two activities, usually a trail and a workshop, to make a whole day of their visit. Trails include drama and costume to help pupils explore their given historic period, whilst most workshops allow them to create a piece of artwork to take home at the end of the visit. Find out more below, or contact a member of our Learning team. Take a look at an example of our Alban Trail to get a taste of a trip to St Albans Cathedral. Roman Festival Our Roman Festival takes place each January & September. Ideal for Key Stage 2, pupils have the chance to take part in three workshops, as well as meeting our very own Roman Soldier!! The main activities include: - Alban and the Romans: learning about everyday life in the Roman town of Verulamium, including the life of St Alban - Roman Food: creating and sampling some wonderful delicacies using ancient Roman recipes - Artefact Blanket Dig: going back in time from the present, via the Saxons to the Roman period, and having the opportunity to explore and handle various artefacts on the way For current dates please click here Virtual History Video To get a taster for our trails and workshops we have uploaded some short video's ideal for KS2. Featuring fascinating facts and costumed characters from the Roman, Saxon, Medieval, Tudor and Victorian periods this should give every history lesson an extra lift. To watch the videos, please click on the following links: Meet a Roman Soldier Meet a Saxon Warrior Meet a Medieval Monk Meet a Tudor Servant Meet a Victorian Headmaster Land of the Monks We are pleased to announce the offer of a new activity for 2021 - the Land of the Monks trail. Making use of the Cathedral building and the surrounding grounds, this interactive trail gives children the opportunity to explore the medieval history of the Abbey as well as the geography of the location. Ideal for Key Stage 2, it also allows children to develop enquiry skills in which can be used in any local history or geography setting. To find out more, click on the link below to download a flier or contact us at the link below. Land of the Monks flier Romans The story of St Albans starts with the Romans, and our Alban & the Romans Trail, Invaders & Settlers Trail and Roman Mosaic Workshop explores this period in more detail, from both a local history and national perspective. Virtual History - Meet a Roman Soldier Why not join with us as we introduce Maximus in this live, interactive workshop which brings a Roman Legionary right into the heart of your classroom. Interviewed by our intrepid reporter and questioned by your own children, Maximus uses a range of artefacts as he talks about his armour, his weapons, the Roman invasion of Britannia and his daily life as a soldier. Ideal for Key Stage 2, children also have the opportunity to learn about Roman Verulamium and the story of St Alban. Saxons & Vikings It was during the reign of the Saxon King Offa that the first monastery was built in St Albans. Our Saxon Trail, Viking Trail, Invaders & Settlers Trail and Saxon Food Workshop explore the impact of the Saxons and the Vikings on both a local and national level. Medieval The Medieval period saw St Albans flourish as an Abbey and a town, and we offer a number of activities to explore this, including trails on Monastery, Pilgrimage, Dissolution of the Monasteries and the Peasants Revolt. Complementary workshops include Medieval Clay Tiles, Illuminated Lettering and Brass Rubbing. Tudors The reign of the Tudors saw the decline of the Abbey, and their impact can still be seen throughout St Albans today. Our Dissolution of the Monasteries Trail, Wars of the Roses Trail, Tudor Food Workshop and Tudor Music & Dance Workshop help to explore this period. Victorians It was during the Victorian period that much needed restoration work was done to the Abbey, without which it might not be here today! Our Victorian Classroom and Victorian Pastimes workshops cover the impact that the Victorians had on both children’s schooling and leisure time. Can’t see what you want? Then please call the Learning Department to discuss your requirements. The children haven't stopped talking about their trip! -Cunningham Infants Contact us Bookings are now being taken for the next 12 months, so please contact us on 01727 890212 or at [email protected] to find out more or to make a booking.