Light Up History
In-character history workshops
Ideal as an introduction, deep-dive on a specific theme or fantastic conclusion to a topic, all our Key Stage 2 workshops are delivered by an in-character, costumed educator and performer. You don't get a person dressed as a Roman, they will talk and act Roman too.
Choose from 15 historical experience options
- Ancient Egyptian **
- Ancient Greek - Athenian, Spartan, Olympic
- Ancient Roman - Celt, Centurion, Gladiator
- Dark Ages - Saxon, Viking, Norman Conquest
- Medieval - Crusader/Knight, Bowman
- Tudor - Knight
- Stuart - Gunpowder Plot, Great Fire of London
- World War 2 - Homefront
(**some geographic restrictions on Egyptian experiences)
Ready to roll or tailored to you
Our carefully-crafted programme is designed to touch on as many aspects of historical life and parts of the curriculum as possible. Workshops typically include our Interactive Introduction, a craft project for each pupil to keep, myths and legends participatory storytelling, a Forum or Court discussion, a closer look at the costume and equipment, all topped off with a fantastic battle with fun, safe foam weapons. Alternatively, we can tailor the day to exactly what you want to cover.
Fun and challenging days
A workshop that can combine drama and performance, craft skills, group and independent learning, and creative thinking with an emphasis on teamwork and effort. The experiences are designed specifically to touch on as many aspects of the curriculum as possible including drama, art and design, critical thinking and history but can also cover dance and music, numeracy, PE and even religions.
Adaptable
Days are fully flexible to take your school timetable, available space, weather and special educational needs into account. We can confidently and comfortably handle up to 180 children a day.
Big events and special days
Got a special day or event to celebrate or looking for a fun and different attraction for the school fair or fete? Let Light Up Education put on our Roman Festival, Viking Celebration or Medieval Fair and involve the whole school!
A typical workshop
A sample programme for a KS2 group
Interactive Introduction- Your visitor will introduce themselves in their own language- Ancient Greek, Latin, Saxon, Old Norse, Medieval English or Middle English- but luckily also speak the pupils' language! They'll talk about who they are, what they do and give the children a chance to ask questions and perhaps handle a sword!
Craft Project- All our KS2 workshops include a craft for every pupil to make and keep. Resources are included in the workshop cost, only pencils or crayons may be required for some crafts. We offer Greek jewellery, Roman mosaics, Saxon bracelets, Viking headbands and Medieval/Tudor coats of arms.
Storytelling- Your visitor will tell a traditional story or myth with help from the pupils to play the principle characters. Greek workshops will tell the tale of Hercules' Labours (heroes, goddesses and monsters needed), the Founding of Rome (Romulus, Remus and others), Beowulf (more monsters!), the Creation of the Viking World (Thor and Odin), the Geste of Robyn Hood (and many Merry Men) or the tale of Sir Gawain & The Green Knight (excellent parts for dragonslayers and princesses).
Everyday life- How do pupils think their visitor and his friends lived day to day, earned a living, ate and drank? What could you do, what could you not do and how did you have fun before Minecraft and YouTube were invented?
Bits and battles- A closer look at the things your visitor has and wears: clothes, equipment, weapons, even what they're eating! A chance for small people to wear big helmets, see how a sword should be used and for some workshops, an opportunity to see and try some archery! (Saxon, Medieval, Tudor workshops)
Rebellion/Raid- Everyone gets a safe foam sword, a reinforced cardboard shield and, banners streaming, have a chance to have a battle! May the best side win!
Meet the historian- A few minutes at the end of the day to meet the workshop provider, find out a little more about what we do and ask those last burning questions!
We can also offer other activity options depending on your subject, learning objectives or themes, just ask for more information! Email -> contact@lightup.education <-
Roman mosaics being assembled
Buy a companion book
Tales from the Past by Peter Sawyer
Available now in paperback from Amazon and in person, 'Tales from the Past' is an ideal companion book for our Light Up Education History workshops. Suitable for pupils from Year 3 upwards, the book has Ancient Spartan, Roman Centurion, Viking and Medieval stories, glossary, pronunciation guides and activity ideas. It can complement the workshops, be used as a teaching resource or just as an exciting addition to the school library.
Copies are just £4.49 and can be ordered online or from your workshop provider directly
History is the core of what we do, how we started and our biggest passion.
History is not just the past, it informs the present and shapes the future of everything from empires and nations to individuals.
Light Up History historical workshops: Egyptian, Athenian, Spartan, Olympic, Centurion, Gladiator, Saxon, Viking, Crusader, Bowman, Tudor, World War 2 Homefront. Within these options, we offer almost 30 different topic and activity options ranging from Being a Spartan Teenager to Viking Women & Children to Tudor Fashion.