What It Means to be ‘Off the Page’
Our approach to historical learning is immersive and fun. It can bring a whole new level of engagement to your children.
“History Off the Page” is more than a name to us. It is a descriptor of what we do.
We take dry words from textbooks – names and places that likely have little context in a primary schooler’s mind – and bring them to life. We ferry the children back in time to experience the history first-hand, including trying their hands at period crafts. They live the story through drama and role play.
Accessible
When you are in primary school, just about anything you cannot see in front of you is abstract. Your parents are old, even if they are in their 20s or 30s. The next county is far away. Egypt 3,400 years ago is an alien concept.
We make history accessible by giving it life and form. They work alongside Florence Nightingale, they visit a Seaside pier, they attend a 1940s school. Whether it is the Jarl of their Viking village or famed runner Pheidippides coming with news from the Battle of Marathon, the children interact with the historical characters they are studying.
Because our history workshops are fun-filled and engaging, children who might otherwise have trouble accessing the learning can often access our workshops. Our experienced teachers can often tailor the learning for special needs – please talk to us about any requirements you may have.
Social History
Yes, our history workshops for schools mention important names and dates. But the approach is much more intimate. Each child adopts a persona for the day, becoming a common person living within the time period. They experience a day in the life of that person, and can compare living “then” to living now. It is social history writ large.
Active
We provide a workshop, not a “visit”. It is not about us standing in front of a class talking and passing out a few artefacts to handle around the room. Our primary history workshops get the children doing. They:
- travel from station to station, trying different craft activities from the time period
- question adults about events, then spread what they have learned from one area to the next
- dig for artefacts, learning how we gather information about the past
- celebrate victories, festivals and holidays
- defend the Saxon village, fight the Great Fire, recreate the Queen’s Coronation, defeat Boudica and more.
It is an approach that is guaranteed to get your children buzzing about a topic.
Cross Curricular
Our focus may be history, but our approach seamlessly incorporates many other areas of the curriculum: language, art, music, geography, and design and technology. It all comes together to create an immersive – and unforgettable – learning experience.
Intrigued? Contact us to learn how to take your children’s learning “off the page”.