Investigating Explore Important Themes from Scotland’S History
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
A royal palace and military stronghold, where pupils can INVESTIGATING explore important themes from Scotland’s history. STIRLING CASTLE Information for teachers EDUCATION INVESTIGATING HISTORIC SITES: SITES 2 stirling castle Welcome to Stirling Castle Contents Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most Special activities for schools P4 magnificent, built on a rocky outcrop There are many activities programmed Supporting learning and commanding a view for many to take place every year for schools at and teaching miles around. It was built as an almost Stirling Castle. In the past, activities impregnable fortification, and visitors have included storytelling with P6 can explore many aspects of its long puppets for early years groups, art Integrating a visit with military history, particularly during the activities based on decoration in classroom studies Wars of Independence in the 1300s. the castle and two-site events at But it was also an important and Bannockburn and Stirling. P8 luxurious royal palace. Visitors today can Timeline gain an insight into the life of Scotland’s Visit the Historic Scotland website royal court, especially that of James V. to download this year’s Schools Programme. P10 Using this pack Stirling Castle: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk This resource pack is designed for a historical overview In addition to events organised by teachers planning to visit Stirling Castle Historic Scotland, handling boxes are with their pupils. It includes: P12 available for the use of pupils free of Themed teacher-led tours • Suggestions for how a visit to charge at the Regimental Museum of Stirling Castle can support delivery the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, P13 of the Curriculum for Excellence situated within the castle. There are Tour 1: currently two boxes of objects, one • Ideas for integrating a visit with Attackers and Defenders relating to the First World War and classroom learning through pre- and the other to the Home Front and the post- visit activities P22 Second World War. Contact 01786 Tour 2: • A map of Stirling Castle, background 475165 for booking and further The Wars of information, guidance notes and details. notes for discussion for three Independence Risk Assessment teacher-led themed tours: P32 o Tour 1: Attackers and Defenders Risk assessment of the site is the Tour 3: responsibility of the teacher in charge o Tour 2: The Wars of of the group. A Hazard Sheet to assist Mary Queen of Scots and Independence with this is available to download on the Stewart Household o Tour 3: Mary Queen of Scots and the education pages of the Historic Scotland website. P46 the Stewart Household Additional resources • Suggestions for further resources We also highly recommend that teachers book a free planning visit to Booking your visit P47 Stirling Castle. This enables teachers to Other places to visit Historic Scotland operates a free familiarise themselves with the site and admission scheme for education its facilities in advance of a visit. Contact P47 groups visiting Stirling Castle between the Education Unit to book. Acknowledgements the months of September and April Find out more about the Education inclusive. During the months of May, Unit and the services it offers by June, July and August there is a small visiting the Historic Scotland website: charge per pupil. You can book a visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/ by contacting the Historic Scotland education_unit.htm Education Unit on 0131 668 8793. HISTORIC SCOTLAND education stirling castle 3 Pupils interact with a costumed activity leader during a school visit to Stirling Castle How to get to Stirling Castle Access Stirling town centre is easily reached via the M9, leaving Most of the castle is accessible to wheelchair users, at Junction 9 or Junction 10. There are also regular but the following areas are currently inaccessible: the buses and trains. Elphinstone Tower, the Great Kitchens and the Museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. There is a Stirling Castle sits at the top of the historic old town, 15 courtesy bus for visitors who have difficulty with steep minutes’ walk from the bus or train station. Simply follow inclines or steps. Mar Place up to Castlehill. Facilities • Exhibition bringing the castle’s history to life. • Interpretive panels telling the story of the castle. • Audio-guided tour. • Virtual tour to enable visitors with mobility problems to make the most of their visit. • Shop selling books, jewellery, tapestry products, gifts and souvenirs. • Café serving a varied menue of hot and cold food and drinks. • Picnic area • Parking for buses and cars HISTORIC SCOTLAND education 4 stirling castle Supporting learning and teaching School visitors enjoy an opportunity to dress up in Renaissance costumes during a visit to Stirling Castle A Curriculum for Excellence A visit, and use of the supporting materials will help to develop: The Curriculum for Excellence aspires to motivate and challenge pupils through a wide range of varied learning • successful learners by challenging pupils to experiences. consider how life has changed for people. It will help them to think critically about the nature of ‘By exploring places, investigating artefacts and discussing evidence and to arrive at their own conclusions. It the past, I can interpret historical evidence to help build a will provide a real context for learning which brings picture of Scotland’s heritage.’ (SOC 201A) the past alive This example of a broad learning outcome from Social • confident individuals by helping pupils learn Studies: People, past events and societies shows the about aspects of Scotland’s past and to see their importance placed by the Curriculum for Excellence on place in it. site visits and ‘real’ learning experiences. Visits to historic sites have a particular role to play in ‘joining up’ learning • responsible citizens by increasing pupils’ outcomes, making learning relevant and in their capacity to knowledge and understanding of the history and offer learners a degree of personalisation and choice. heritage of our society and thereby encouraging greater respect for the historic built environment As the Curriculum for Excellence develops, it is clear and that site visits to places such as Stirling Castle are ideally placed to assist not only in the achievement of specific • effective contributors by encouraging pupils to outcomes, but also in the delivery of the four capacities express their viewpoints and opinions. underpinning the curriculum. HISTORIC SCOTLAND education stirling castle 5 On-site activities - collecting evidence If you wish to make up your own Evidence Record, you can ask pupils to look for clues to explain what went This resource offers three suggested themed tours of on in particular locations, and to look for evidence of Stirling Castle: changes or damage to buildings. Some general starting • Tour 1: Attackers and Defenders, which focuses on points could include: Stirling Castle as a defensive stronghold. • What materials were used to build the castle? Why • Tour 2: The Wars of Independence, which focuses were these materials chosen? Are there any materials on the role of Stirling Castle during this turbulent which might have rotted away or been stolen since period of Scottish history. then? • Tour 3: Mary Queen of Scots and the Stewart • What evidence can you find to show that the castle Household, which focuses on Stirling Castle as a was attacked. royal residence and raises awareness of 16th century • Do you think this room has always looked like this? castle life. Can you see anywhere it has been altered? Why The themes chosen are three of the most popular might it have been changed? with visiting schools. The guidance notes for the tours • What evidence is there for everyday life? are intended to focus pupils’ attention on selected aspects of the built environment. The aim is to give Pupils can record evidence by pupils sufficient information to enable them to draw • taking notes conclusions from the physical evidence they can see around them. The tours focus on looking, discussing and • sketching thinking rather than on writing or reading, in order to • taking photographs help pupils achieve outcomes such as this: By exploring • recording impressions into a tape recorder. places, investigating artefacts and discussing the past, I can interpret historical evidence to help build a Following the visit pupils can pool their findings in picture of Scotland’s heritage. (SOC 201A) groups to create a fuller record of the castle. This could form the basis for a range of activites across the In order to develop skills of recording and observation, curriculum, for example: you may wish pupils to compile an Evidence Record. Samples of these may be found on the Historic Scotland • Preparing a guide book or leaflet for future visitors website. • A slide show about their visit with commentary These can be adapted for the needs of your pupils. The • Imaginative writing based on the lives of the people aim of the evidence record should be to encourage who lived or worked at the castle – even a prisoner development of observational, descriptive and recording skills, rather than to look for answers to specific • A series of drama sketches showing snapshots of questions which they can find equally well in books or events in the castle through the ages other sources in the classroom. • Preparing entertainment for a royal banquet HISTORIC SCOTLAND education 6 stirling castle Integrating a visit with classroom studies Educational visits have the greatest value if they Tour 1: Attackers and Defenders are planned into schemes of work. Here are some suggestions for preparatory activities and activities Before your visit to follow up in the classroom after your visit. Some 1. Help pupils become familiar with some of are useful for setting the context; others guide pupils the medieval methods of warfare. Most castles towards achievement of specific learning outcomes in were taken by siege using machines such as siege Social Studies: People, past events and societies.