SH/DSB

30 April 2014

Dear Parents/Guardians

Re: Proposed Trip for Year 7 to Castles in , 24 June 2014

Year 7 has been studying the Middle Ages this year. A significant part of this study has been looking closely at castles – their importance, how they were built, developments in their construction, how they were attacked by besieging forces, how they were designed to withstand sieges, etc.

There’s no better way of consolidating classroom knowledge of such a topic as this than research in the field. It is therefore proposed to take the entire year to Norfolk to visit , an excellent example of a stone keep castle, and Castle Acre, an equally good example of a castle which developed over several hundred years in the later medieval period. The village of Castle Acre also contains the remains of Castle Acre Priory, which was an important medieval ecclesiastical establishment prior to the dissolution of the monast eries by Henry VIII in the 1530s. Furthermore, the entire village is still laid out in the original medieval street plan, although most early houses have now gone.

Half the group will visit Castle Rising first and the remainder Castle Acre Priory. Both groups will meet at the large site of Castle Acre for a picnic lunch, after which a swap over will take place.

The cost will be £15-20 per student, depending on exact numbers (you can write to the Head Teacher in confidence for financial assistance).

No payment is required at present, but we do need a firm commitment of attendance at this stage to consolidate planning for this valuable excursion. Accordingly, please complete the attached permission slip and return it to the school office letterbox (not in an envelope) by Friday 9 May.

Yours faithfully

Mr S Howie History Teacher

Head Teacher: Mr M Brown

Grammar School Walk, Hitchin, Hertfordshire. SG5 1JB Tel: 01462 432181 Fax: 01462 440172 Registered in No. 8286295 e-mail: [email protected] www.hbs.herts.sch.uk Castles Visit

PLEASE RETURN THIS SLIP TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE LETTERBOX (NOT IN AN ENVELOPE) BY FRIDAY 9 MAY

Pupil’s name: ______Form: ______

I would like my son to participate on the excursion to Castles in Norfolk on 24 June 2014.

Signature: ______(Parent/Guardian) Date: ______