Saxon Sovereignty - A kingdom for a Nation Workshop
Horrid Historia
School Workshop London & South East Hampshire
Why do I love teaching the Saxons? Where do I start? A displaced people forced from their homes by the ravages of nature coupled with a narrative of an Empire's decline and the savage tribes of the north. A band of opportunists or a bunch of families seeking a better life? Whatever your personal leanings are towards their story, there is no doubt that they have left an indelible mark on our landscape, our heritage and our culture. Tribal leaders; minor lords and self proclaimed kings and queens a plenty. For here are the legends that are still told to this day - of a land slowly tamed, of epic adventures and daring deeds. Of tales told around the fire, where old gods battled the new. Where light was once ushered forth onto the land to drive out the darkness and terror. Tamed? Or just a wolf hiding in sheep's clothing? So I ask you instead what isn't to love about a topic that offers all of this as its resource? Where your pupils live and breath the customs of our past, challenge their thinking, pass sentence on their justice and ponder on their tales - as the explore first hand our Saxon Sovereignty.Our passion is all about hands-on enquiry-led learning. We don't operate on a script or come to you with a show. We design our workshops to fit your pupils needs and interests. We empower them to take their learning on a journey that inspires them to want to know more. We focus on the skills rather than the end goal using artefacts that are either real or hand-made replicas for the period. But we don't stop there. History isn't about full-stops. It's a maze of comma, ellipsis, exclamation mark and questions. It is about life. What came before and after; the links that forge and unite our history and our lives today. This is where we excel. You want a workshop on Iron Age weapons and armour then we bring this to life for you but we also explore what came before and what comes next. The evolution of the concept - the differences and similarities, what changes and what stays the same and why it happened - cause and effect.
"For we are the spark that ignites their passion."
We also cover - Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Romans and Vikings and many more - details on our website. So if you are looking for a stand alone or multi-period experience that is bespoke to you, then the Horrid Historia team are your crew..
Teacher Checklist
Bursaries or Funded Places Available
Where we travel to
We can visit your school in:
What activities are available during this school workshop?
We start every workshop with an interactive experience for your pupils that not only sets the scene but also allows them the opportunity to get to grips with many of our artefacts.
The rest of the day is up to you to decide safe in the knowledge that whatever you choose we will adapt the delivery and content to fit your narrative or enquiry-led trail. At present we have a staggering 17 specific Saxon workshops for you to choose from and all of these can be combined or adjusted in order for us to deliver the living history experience your pupils deserve. All of the details are on our website but here is a flavour of some of them.
Ink and Quill - this was one of the very first workshops that I designed over a decade ago and it has proven very popular ever since. But now coming to you we can take it further and truly realise its true potential for your pupils. Just ask me how.
Story Telling - I have lost count of how many times I have heard a groan from young people when you mention this workshop only for them to come to you afterwards in excited awe. For these aren't tales read from a book these are epics designed to captivate an audience and we have a master in our midst.
Painting - But not as they will know it - for here lies the realm of wind, earth, fire and water. Where colour has value, both spiritually and monetary. Where brushes seldom exist and yet beauty abounds in illuminated measure.
The rest of the day is up to you to decide safe in the knowledge that whatever you choose we will adapt the delivery and content to fit your narrative or enquiry-led trail. At present we have a staggering 17 specific Saxon workshops for you to choose from and all of these can be combined or adjusted in order for us to deliver the living history experience your pupils deserve. All of the details are on our website but here is a flavour of some of them.
Ink and Quill - this was one of the very first workshops that I designed over a decade ago and it has proven very popular ever since. But now coming to you we can take it further and truly realise its true potential for your pupils. Just ask me how.
Story Telling - I have lost count of how many times I have heard a groan from young people when you mention this workshop only for them to come to you afterwards in excited awe. For these aren't tales read from a book these are epics designed to captivate an audience and we have a master in our midst.
Painting - But not as they will know it - for here lies the realm of wind, earth, fire and water. Where colour has value, both spiritually and monetary. Where brushes seldom exist and yet beauty abounds in illuminated measure.
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
Archaeology Workshop
Click to read full text Archaeology provides a window through time from which we can use artefacts to recreate the narratives of that time period through the thoughts and ideas of your pupils. Here they will learn chronology and how different methods are used to date artefacts. They will learn how evidence is acquired, correlated and disseminated. They will discover how to form questions and how to use artefacts to form a narrative based on form, function and use. They will explore similarities/differences; cause and consequence and why things might change or stay the same. Whilst also exploring what we don't know and what archaeology alone cannot help us understand.
Art Workshop
Drawing Painting History of Art
Click to read full text Art is the expression of what the world means to us as individuals, communities and cultures. It is our story and an echo of our souls which resonates for ever onwards throughout history. So within our workshops your pupils will get to express their unique artistic flair using a variety of mediums ranging from sculpture, carving, sketching, and paints. They will learn about the history of art and the use of different mediums, binders and pigments. How to use colour for effect and what to do when your colour choices are limited. They will discover the secrets of fresco painting and the use of tempura and gesso and what colour actually meant to ancestors as a spiritual and cultural guide.
Citizenship Workshop
Laws and the justice system Team building Monarchy Democracy Voting and elections British Values Diversity and Inclusion
Click to read full text From the dawn of time we have been learning the key concepts of citizenship. From what we perceive as being the lawless uncultured past of our Neanderthal cousins we are beginning to discover a different narrative. Where rules become laws and where justice prevailed. But that is also a question in itself - where does justice sit inside a sphere of subjective processing. What happens when two cultures collide and each have different laws and identities? Who is right? Is the written word the measure of a cultures worth and if so why? What of the author? Have we measured their morality? Is there an agenda? Was their perspective skewed? History is a great place to explore all of this. Monarchy vs Democracy - we think this is a new concept. What about the Viking history or the Saxon kings and queens versus monastic life where elections selected leadership. What of international relations where trade was intrinsically linked to power and alliance. In a world full of different languages and cultures how did our ancestors not only manage but thrive before modern technology broke down many of these barriers? Our workshops use these principles to engage with your pupils and get them thinking and asking question themselves using historical principles as the guide for shaping modern day practices.
Religious Education Workshop
Christianity Religious Festivals
Click to read full text Imagine a world where your Gods and Goddesses ruled every aspect of your life! Where every time you cooked you offered a small amount to that deity. Where your entre life was governed their will and that belief was embedded into the very fabric of your being. Now imagine that you have to move to another place and there for the first time you meet another people who then have their own Gods/goddesses. What you have known as true all of your life is suddenly challenged. When your harvest fails or your bread burns is this because you have angered your god/ their gods/ was your offering not sufficient. Then another God arrives via a messenger. They build houses instead of mere altars for you to give praise and they invite you to abandon your old gods in favour of the new 'one god'. How does this make you feel? In these workshops we explore the birth of Christianity in this country but through the eyes of the people that struggled with a dilemma that truly affected their every day lives.
Saxons Workshop
Invaders and Settlers Saxon Settlements Saxon Laws and Justice Arts and Culture Edward the Confessor King Arthur Alfred the Great
Click to read full text Within our workshop selection we will take your pupils on a journey that explores the 800 year history of our Saxon heritage. From their arrival on these shores as settlers or invaders. We will explore their heritage and how it mixes with the locals of the period. We will explore their customs and their beliefs; look at their laws; the forming of the Witan and how kingdoms came of age. They will explore the jewellery, artefacts, shields, weapons and armour of the period. They will pay games and listen to stories. They will delve into Danelaw and King Edward and the forming of the counties we know today as Sussex and Wessex, and the significance of Northumbria and East Anglia. We can look at the birth of Christianity and the monasteries, recreate illumination and text and learn about Olde English and where it remains in our language today. All of these are possible and of course we can fine tune to fit your needs. Want something very specific speak to us - it can be done. We love role play and being in character.
What size groups do we cater for?
We are very adaptable and can usually facilitate workshops for most cohort sizes. Our standard package is one class per workshop leader but this can be adjusted to suit your needs and especially so with smaller / larger schools.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
We can adapt any workshop and its delivery to suit the needs of any of your pupils. We have a vast range of alternative or substitute resources at our disposal which can be used as an adaption for any workshop that we run. But more importantly all of our workshops are uniquely designed to ensure that all pupils/ clients can access the learning and join in with their friends / peers. We appreciate that some may need additional support to do so and where this is required we will work closely with the school to ensure that we come up with a solution that works best for them. Our two workshop leaders have over 30 years of experience between them working very closely with SEN, home education and small groups, as well as with young people in mainstream education that require adaptations or specialist support. Our ethos is inclusivity: we believe that enriching education experiences should be available for all young people.
I could mention here specific instances where we have adapted our delivery however I prefer instead to abide by our humanistic, holistic approach to education rather than focussing on what is in reality a label. In other words you know your pupils very well so please get in touch and we will instead work together to deliver something unique and special for YOUR pupils. I personally spent 7 years planning, creating and delivering bespoke 1:1 and small group sessions for pupils with additional and specific needs. So with your input and expertise in your young people, we can bring their curriculum to life.
Anything else?
As a company we pride ourselves on our sustainable approach towards delivering these workshops. So just as our ancestors will have done, we work within windows of opportunity. This does mean that as the seasons progress some of the resources we use may change to suit the season or may have been stored from an earlier window of opportunity. These will in no way affect the quality of the workshops we deliver; indeed we believe this approach enhances the authentic experience for your pupils. However some of the resources may not be as vibrant or available out of season.
For some of our activities we will need space - some of that outdoors and others an indoor alternative if it is really wet ie cave painting. We will always endeavour to go outdoors for workshops that require this regardless of the weather but will ensure that this always remains safe and enjoyable for your pupils.
For some of our activities we will need space - some of that outdoors and others an indoor alternative if it is really wet ie cave painting. We will always endeavour to go outdoors for workshops that require this regardless of the weather but will ensure that this always remains safe and enjoyable for your pupils.
Who are Horrid Historia?
Sean - this is my baby and it has taken years to come about. Decades of living as a re-enactor bringing history to life in castles all around the U.K. Living and learning the skills of our ancestors. I create most of the artefacts used in our workshops myself using period techniques and tools and just love researching and learning from trial and error to recreate something I have seen in a museum or have read about. As an educator, I have specialised in 1:1 intervention and SEN programmes. I have managed an outdoor heritage education site and won awards for my enquiry-led approach to teaching. I know how important and life changing enriching education experiences can be for young people and this is the drive behind this company. To make sure that these experiences are available and affordable for all schools and pupils. I am a parent, a husband, a grandfather. I coach swimming and martial arts. I am a published author and have played King John in a TV programme and have starred, as a prop, in a garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Adrian - a very good friend and a man whose passion for teaching and getting young people enthused about learning really knows no bounds. His speciality lies in Roman and Saxon history which he lives and breathes nearly every day. However, like me, he just loves history and the way he can bring it to life for young people is truly mesmerising. To sit and listen to his stories, which he loves telling, transports you back in time to an age where this was the most exciting and exhilarating time of the day for our ancestors and I guarantee that he will have your young people spell bound.
Whilst our prices are fixed per full day and half day visits and are very affordable (average cost based on class of 30 is less than £2 per pupil for a full day) we appreciate that if you are a smaller or specialist school, or a Home Ed group with your own accessible land, that this price structure doesn't work as well for you. So please do get in touch and as the saying goes - 'where there is the will; there is a way.' We can work together to find a solution.
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