Gunpowder Plot school visits for education. We provide a living history and reenactment service as historical interpreters focusing on the QCA Why do we remember Florence Nightingale when changed to Guy Fawkes. It also covers NC KS1 History6C Lives of significant men, women & children drawn from the history of Britain and the wider world & 6D Past events from the history of Britain and the wider world, eg Gunpowder Plot. As re-enactors, we use storytelling/drama, writing using quill pens and artefacts such as toys and games, full soldier kit etc. to bring the excitement of real history to your classroom.
Some of the locations we travel to for our Egyptians workshops are:
East-Midlands, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire , Warwickshire, Leamington, Leicester Hinckley Nottingham Peterborough Coventry Birmingham, Tamworth, Derbyshire, Derby, Chesterfield, Ilkeston, Swadlincote, Buxton, Matlock, Ashbourne, Nottinghamshire, Mansfield, Worksop, Newark, Leicestershire, Leicester, Loughborough, Melton Mowbray, Coalville, Lutterworth, Rutland - Oakham, Uppingham. Cottesmore, Northampton, Peterborough, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, West-Midlands, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Coventry, Smethwick, West Bromwich, Solihull, Bedfordshire, Birmingham, Warwick, Nuneaton, Rugby, Solihull, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Join a Stuart Army and train in Pike Drill - as a whole class!
Invite Guy Fawkes into your school and
discover how and why the Gunpowder Plot
took place. This exciting day is specifically
designed for Key Stage 1 and offers hands on
historical enquiry through artefacts.
The Gunpowder Plot school visit can be
booked for up to two classes for two hours
for just £80.00; up to four classes for a half
day (where all share an introduction and then
each class engages in a short session of your
choice with Guy Fawkes), or for 1-2 classes
for a full day.
Here is an outline of the typical Gunpowder Plot school visit:
Introduction
Guy Fawkes explains his background as
a Catholic believer and how King James I
impacted on his life and English Catholics
generally. Some examples of authentic
costume are displayed and children are
picked for dressing up.
The Gunpowder Plot (through Drama and Storytelling)
In this session, children will begin to discuss the problems explained in the introduction. Various drama techniques are used to engage groups and individuals in finding solutions.
Guy Fawkes explains through storytelling what actually took place in the Gunpowder Plot and its various stages of development. Further drama techniques reinforce the learning.
Guy Fawkes & the Gunpowder Plot
School Visits
The Soldier Session
In this session, Guy Fawkes explains why he was
chosen to join the Gunpowder Plot. He shows
the three ingredients of gunpowder - charcoal,
sulphur and saltpeter and reveals the contents
of his soldier kit, passing items around for
object handling and discussing the uses of each
artefact.
Then, children are asked to join a Stuart army
as a class set of wooden practice pikes are
distributed for them to engage in a real Stuart
pike drill, as detailed in Jacob DeGheyn's The
Renaissance Drill Book (1607).
Quill Writing
Children are offered the opportunity to write
using a class set of goose feather quills and ink.
Will they write a message, warning Lord
Mounteagle or join the conspirators?
Crime and Punishment
Depending on numbers, this session
can be teacher-led. Children engage in
matching activities looking at individual,
Stuart "crimes" and how they were
likely to be punished. Optionally,
classes can re-enact scenes in
groups as role play activities, linking
to PSHE.
Early Stuart Pastimes, games and toys
Early Stuart pastimes, games and toys are discussed and authentically reproduced toys are shown. Guy Fawkes needed something to do, waiting in those tunnels and children relish the opportunity to get hands on, playing with our old toys.
Storytelling
I always end the day with interactive storytelling as a whole group. All of the children join in, playing simple parts in a light-hearted tale.
I work fully in role as Guy Fawkes. This means that I use my subject knowledge to respond to questions as he might do. I play the part with full knowledge of the outcomes, so act as almost a ghostly figure who has had time to reflect on his actions and regrets them. I feel this is important to acknowledge the seriousness of the Plot to children. My historical interpreter's commitment to authenticity is tempered with a teacher's sense of appropriateness though - so I do not swear or use profanities as some reenactors will in school, claiming that this was the way it was! Our focus is on the educational experience for the children and what serves them best, so the sessions are interactive and involve everyone.
SEN Schools
We are experienced in working with
children of a range of ages and abilities.
We understand the need for explorative
learning and incorporate sensory
opportunities. Our Gunpowder Plot visit
into SEN schools is less structured and will
try to meet the needs of the children. Please
get in touch to discuss your specific class
and their needs with us. If required, I can visit in costume but not in role (to reduce confusion).
Pricing
Full Day
The full day rate is £175.00 plus mileage
(50p per mile round trip from LE9 9HG).
I/2 day
In our local area, you are more than welcome
to book half a day and incorporate some of
the above sessions. The cost for ½ day is
£100.00 (50p per mile round trip from LE9
9HG).
1-2 hours
£80.00 for up to two hours involving up to two classes plus mileage (50p per mile round trip from LE9 9HG).
Whichever sessions you choose with Guy Fawkes, resources for other sessions are available on a teacher-led basis, so for £80.00, two classes of children can get a class session with Guy Fawkes and one or two teacher led sessions with other resources, eg. quill writing or toys.
These rates are held for 2011-12 and there are no hidden costs.
The costs quoted above cover the service which is typically delivered by Greg but we reserve the right for Lisa to cover if necessary. We have never missed a booking through illness but, in the unlikely event that it could occur, we will endeavour to deliver an adapted service with Lisa attending or to re-book the date with urgency. Confirmation of booking is taken as a contract between the school and The Specialists and acceptance of our T & C's.
Greg and Lisa McCarthy have many years of experience working with children. Greg is a teacher and Lisa a former Occupational Therapist in learning disabilities. Both have full CRB's and public liability insurance.
