Teacher weekend proclaimed a success by English Heritage

An initiative that invited school teachers up and down the country to visit an English Heritage site has proved a resounding success, with 745 teachers signing up for the day, and a significant increase in the number of enquiries for free educational visits following their visits. 

The Teachers' Weekend took place in May, and offered 'off-duty' teachers and their own children the opportunity to visit free of charge any of English Heritage's charged properties.

"A combination of onerous risk assessments, little time to research new places to take a class and rising transport costs has meant that many school children now miss out on what most adults believe to be an important part of the curriculum, the school trip," explains English Heritage's education marketing manager, Lucia Crothall.  "This weekend gave us the opportunity to show teachers that there are often fantastic historic locations with great cross-curricular learning opportunities  right on their doorsteps, and with our pre-prepared site hazard assessments and teacher information, visits with a class can be safe and educational as well as fun."

The response from teachers was extremely positive, with many commenting that they had not appreciated quite how much English Heritage had to offer.
 
For example, Mr and Mrs Gibbons, both primary school teachers from Telford, visited Witley Court, near Worcester with their family. "We both work at Telford schools so it was quite a way for us to come - but well worth it," said Mr Gibbons. "Our six year-old said it was his best day out because there's just so much to do here. I'd definitely bring Key Stage 2 children. The detective work in finding out what things used to be is really good for pupils."

David Wakefield, a teacher on the Isle of Wight, visited Osborne House with his wife.  "I had forgotten what a great educational resource it is and have already been using elements of our visit linking to the Royal Wedding.  I used to bring school parties when I worked on the mainland... but have not visited with an Island party. Hopefully I will be able to in the future.  I will also be passing on my comments to fellow professionals in mainland schools who are booking residentials on the Isle of Wight."

Source: English Heritage

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