Educational Outreach Days

 

Key Stage 2 History Workshops for Schools

 

Northern Forge delivers hands-on history workshops designed to support the Key Stage 2 curriculum.  Pupils handle replica artefacts, explore stories from the past and take part in interactive activities that bring historical topics to life.

 

 
 

Photo courtesy of Mrs. Bownass of Water Street Community Primary School, Skipton

 

 

 Introduction
 
  “A high-quality history education...should inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past.”
- www.gov.uk/dfe/nationalcurriculum, 2013

 

Why not invite our team to visit your school, whether you are studying Vikings, Romans, Anglo-Saxons or Normans.  Our team will come to your school to run a day of workshops which enthuse and excite the pupils’ imaginations, getting them involved, and making learning a lot more fun.  Pupils will get the chance to see and hold historical objects, which can act as a memorable focus for discussions.  Questions from the pupils are encouraged throughout the day, so that they learn what they want to learn and constantly feel a part of the day’s activities. 

With decades of combined experience in education work in one of Britain’s top museums, many combined years in higher education and consultancy, and over two decades of theatre practice, Northern Forge delivers the very best learning experience out there for your school.  We understand that it can be difficult for children to engage with textbook-style learning, and seek to inspire them with an entirely different and hands-on experience.
 
Take the stress out of an educational museum visit, and give us a try.  We promise you will not be disappointed; take a look at our testimonials.

  

See the table below for an overview of the main sections of the KS1/2 curriculum our Outreach Programme addresses.

Subject	Curriculum Criteria/Aims
History	Understanding historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity, difference and significance.	KS1/2
	Understanding the connections between local, regional, national and international history; between cultural, economic, military, political, religious and social history.	KS2
	Handling historical objects and understanding how they were used.	KS1/2
	Using the above to make connections, draw contrasts, and frame historically-valid questions.	KS2
English	Speaking and listening: asking questions, listening and using Drama.	KS1/2
	Reading: looking at how Viking poetry and Kennings are written.	KS1/2
Maths	Using and applying mathematics in a practical way.	KS1/2
	Understanding chronology.	KS1/2
Design & Technology	Examining the manufacture of objects such as combs, how the materials affect what it is used for, and comparing those objects to modern ones.	KS2
Science	Collecting evidence and making comparisons.	KS1
ICT	Developing an understanding of how ICT is used to present ideas; investigating and comparing its use inside and outside school.	KS2

 

  

 

Full Days: How It Works

 

We start with an introduction to your guests, before moving on to handling a broad range of historical objects from their everyday lives.

We like to give an overall coverage of the period, using a variety of replica objects to illustrate different aspects of everyday life. This is in part because of how closely linked many of the topics are. Such topics include Hearth & Home, Food & Drink, and Fashion; Travel & Trade/Ships & Seafaring, Religion & the Gods, and Weddings. See here for a more detailed outline.

The afternoon session sees us focusing on topics of your choice through two, hour-long, workshops which cover some of the bigger topics and get the kids doing as well as thinking. These include Anglo-Saxon and Viking Epics & Sagas, Games & Pastimes, Roman and Norman catapult making, and the ever-popular Weapons & Warfare! (These are outlined here).

Whilst Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and Norman/1066 days follow the same format and many topics are applicable to all, please note that, at this time, some workshops by their nature might only be available for one historical period.

With the option to bring in some friends to help, we can cater for more children at a time (see table below).

Sample Outreach Day
Time (approx.)	Activity	Outline
9:15 - 10.00	Arrival/Setup	Your Visitors sign in, set up and change into costume.
10:00 - 10:45	Introduction	This time is spent introducing your historical Visitors and the world they live in; who they are, where they come from, what they do and what they wear.
10:45 - 11:00	Break
11:00-12:00	Object Handling	A range of topics are touched on here with replica artefacts pertaining to Travel & Trade, Food & Drink &c. to act as focus points.
12:00 - 1:00	Dinner
1:00 - 1:50	Option 1	For the afternoon sessions, you can choose which topics we focus on. Choose two from: ·Weapons & Warfare ·Sagas (Viking only) ·Iron Age Britons/"Celts" (Roman only) ·Games & Pastimes*
1:50 - 2:00	Break
2:00 - 2:50	Option 2
2:50 - 3:00	Q&A/Conclusion	We find it useful to round up the day with a Question and Answer session to tie up loose ends, with a recap of the key facts the children have learned.
3:00 - 3:30	Pack up/Depart

 
*Please see below for a more detailed outline of each topic.

 
Please note that timings are approximate: we can arrange our talks around your timetable if required.


Costing
 
For a full day outreach session with one of our historical characters, it costs £400 for 30 children (approx. one class), and the session will last from 10am to 3pm. Any extra children above the 30 mark will be charged at £7.50 per head.
 
If you want a further Roman/Anglo-Saxon/Viking/Norman visitor the charge is a flat rate of £150 per Visitor (recommended for larger groups).

N.B. Prices are currently under review and subject to change at short notice; if you have already booked a day with an agreed price, that will remain in place.  Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience in the meantime.

One Class - £400	Two Classes - £550	Three Classes - £700	91+ children?
A full day with one class (up to 30 children). Extra pupils over the initial 30 will be charged at £7.50 per head.	A full day with two classes (up to 60 children). Extra pupils over the initial 30 per class will be charged at £7.50 per head.	A full day with three classes (up to 90 children). Extra pupils over the initial 30 per class will be charged at £7.50 per head.	More than three classes? Please contact us for prices and/or to discuss options such as multiple days &c.
Inc. 1 x Character	Inc. 2 x Characters	Inc. 3 x Characters	4 x Characters*
Optional Extra Characters +£150 each.*

  *Subject to availability.
 
 
Also if you are based outside of Yorkshire in the neighbouring counties, please get in touch first for fees and travel expense rates; if you are from even further afield we will still consider travelling to your school, or perhaps you would be interested in our online outreach sessions (see below).

 
How To Book
 
Give us a call or email! Please have the following details on hand:
 
-    Name of the school, and a contact number
-    Number of children
-    Age of children/ year of class
-    Preference of topics for afternoon slots
-    Whether you are likely to have access to a school hall or if you would prefer separate classrooms.
 
We can then give you a detailed price quote, and work out how best to organise your day.
 
Upon booking, these and other details will be verified by means of a confirmation email ahead of the visit.

For workshop details see here and for prices in general please don’t hesitate to contact us by email or phone - all work is considered, and we’d love to hear from you.

Northern Forge is DBS checked and fully insured for outreach work in schools and similar venues with minors.

For general information email us at  or give us a call on 07716 141 787 (Mon-Sun: 10:00 - 17:00)


  
Virtual Outreach (online)




 
How It Works
 
Outreach Visits a little too steep or just too far away?
 
Why not contact Northern Forge about our online outreach sessions; wherever you are in the world you can have Sigwulf, Manni, or Atticus, beamed straight into your classroom via webcam. Your guest will explain all about himself and his world from the days of yore, with lots of artefacts for your class to see and talk about. Great as an introduction to the period, or to reinforce what you’ve already covered in class.
 
Questions are actively encouraged for these sessions. You can prepare these beforehand if you wish (ready for the 20 minutes of Q&A at the end of the session, though this section can be extended if you'd like longer), or just go with the flow.
 
 
Costing
 
Sessions cost £75 and last 60 minutes.
 
 
How To Book
 
Give us a call on 07716 141787 to arrange a date and time convenient for you.
 
Prior to your Virtual Outreach session, we will require a test call to check that everything will run smoothly on the day: this will be arranged upon booking, and does not require class participation.
 
Northern Forge currently offers this service using Zoom or Teams only.

For more information email us at [email protected] or give us a call on 07716 141 787

 

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