Cadw, the public body charged with looking after Wales’ historic monuments has launched a new school education programme.
The programme aims to develop children’s skills through workshops concentrating on history, music, story-telling and role play, at sites such as Caerphilly Castle.
The second largest castle in Britain, Caerphilly is working in partnership with the Winding House museum, New Tredegar, to offer schools a medieval experience where pupils learn about medieval manners, etiquette, food and drink as well as using role play to get the Great Hall ready for a feast.
Pupils from Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili took part in the Age of the Princes education workshop at Caerphilly Castle and at The Winding House last summer.
Karen Griffiths, a Year 6 classroom teacher at Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili, said: “The day trip to Caerphilly Castle was fantastic.
“The pupils really enjoyed themselves and learnt an incredible amount about their local history, as well as developing their general understanding of medieval life. The varied activities at The Winding House, including falconry, medieval handwriting, armour and costumes ensured the children were engaged at all times and had real glimpse into life during medieval times.
“The activities in Caerphilly Castle were really hands-on and captivated the children from start to finish. In particular the role play they were involved in, where they dressed up in medieval costumes and took on the roles of the medieval upper classes and servants, allowed them to really empathise with the different classes in society at this time.
“As a Welsh medium school, it was also great that the workshop was delivered through the medium of Welsh, something that is not always available.”
Other workshops include learning about the life and training of a medieval knight at Castle Coch and an insight into the lives of working men in days gone by at Blaenavon Ironworks.
Adrienne Goodenough, Cadw’s lifelong learning manager, said: “These workshops aim to engage local young people with their heritage and local historical sites as well as meet national curriculum requirements by linking heritage, history and the arts in an educational way. It’s also important to enhance the next generation’s understanding of our heritage, as they are the future custodians.”
For more information please contact Adrienne Goodenough on 01443 336142.