Leeds Castle in Kent welcomes school visits from all over the world, all year round.
Whether your pupils are early learners from Key Stages 1 to 5, or adult learners, and whatever you are studying, Leeds Castle can provide an education workshop, specialist talk, guided or self-guided tour or written resource.
Themed workshops, delivered by a trained education co-ordinator, cover a range of UK National Curriculum topics such as Drama, History, Art and much more. Pupils will visit the Castle to discover 900 years of history including Tudor life and the 1920s. During allocated free-time your school group can discover the twists and turns of the Maze, the underground grotto and playgrounds. Visits last approximately four hours, including a one hour workshop activity, 30 to 45 minute visit to the Castle and additional time to explore.
Visiting on a self-guided basis allows you to plan the day as you wish and lead your pupils around the Castle, its grounds and attractions at your own pace. You will receive a teacher’s pack with a site map and helpful information for your visit, Castle guidance notes and risk advice notes. Two complimentary tickets to carry out a preliminary visit are available on request following the confirmation of a booking.
Why book Leeds Castle for School Trips and Educational Visits?
Leeds Castle is proud to have been awarded the Sandford Award for Heritage Education.
The head judge stated as follows:
"This is a service which goes from strength to strength. The programme is varied and interesting with strong links to the National Curriculum and with clear aims and objectives. It is firmly grounded in the Castle’s long and varied history and the workshops are delivered by knowledgeable and well-trained staff. There is a strong sense of cohesion in the Education Department with an atmosphere of cooperation and support."
Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?
Performing Arts
Leeds Castle offers a variety of themed workshops suitable for studying drama. These include The Swan Princess (KS1), a unique to Leeds Castle story that the children act out while education leaders tell the story. Sybil the Cygnet (KS1) is a unique blend of literacy and science combined to produce the story of Sybil. The Potted History of Leeds Castle is a KS1/2 workshop that looks at the important and interesting owners of the Castle, using costume and drama. Includes a tour of the castle. Monarchy and More (upper KS1 and KS2) focuses on the monarchy at Leeds Castle since 1066 and looking to its future. The children will dress up and play the roles of kings, queens and other royal figures. Includes a tour of the Castle.
Art
Curriculum topics available: Sculpture.
Leeds Castle offers a variety of themed workshops suitable for studying art. These include A Walk on the Wild Side (KS1 & Lower KS2), The Artful Henry (KS2), Badges and Banners (KS1, KS2 & KS3).
The workshops involve creating items from air dry clay to take home, mixed with Q&A and drama.
Prehistory
Leeds Castle offers the 'From Cave to Castle (KS2)' themed workshop. Using costume and drama it is an interactive look at how people lived and humans developed from the Hunter Gatherer period, through the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, on to the Roman and Anglo Saxon eras.
Saxons
Leeds Castle offers the 'From Cave to Castle (KS2)' themed workshop. Using costume and drama it is an interactive look at how people lived and humans developed from the Hunter Gatherer period, through the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, on to the Roman and Anglo Saxon eras. Includes a tour of the Castle.
Medieval
Leeds Castle offers the 'King of the Castle (KS3)' themed workshop. A workshop designed to develop history skills, knowledge and understanding in a series of team challenges. Each session will include a Timeline Challenge, and the teacher will then choose 2 further team activities based on their studies, from a selection of subjects including Historical terms, Castles, Medieval Realms. Includes a self-guided visit of the Castle.
The Potted History of Leeds Castle is a KS1/2 workshop that looks at the important and interesting owners of the Castle, using costume and drama. Includes a tour of the Castle.
Leeds Castle offers a new workshop entitled Monarchy and More (upper KS1 and KS2). Focusing on the monarchy at Leeds Castle since 1066 and looking to its future. The children will dress up and play the roles of kings, queens and other royal figures. Includes a tour of the Castle.
Tudors
Leeds Castle offers a variety of themed workshops suitable for studying Tudors, including 'The Artful Henry (KS2)' which combines with art. The children create a clay plaque to take home and learn how important portraiture was. 'The Field of the Cloth of Gold (KS1, KS2 & KS3)'. focuses on the significant event of Henry VIII's 'sleepover' at Leeds Castle on his way to the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520 (Includes a tour of the Castle.)
Victorian
Leeds Castle offers a variety of themed workshops suitable for studying Victorians, including 'A Victorian Day (KS2)' and 'A Victorian Christmas (KS2)'. Costumes are provided for the children to truly experience a Victorian classroom.
Monarchs
Leeds Castle offers a new workshop entitled Monarchy and More (upper KS1 and KS2). Focusing on the monarchy at Leeds Castle since 1066 and looking to its future. The children will dress up and play the roles of kings, queens and other royal figures. Includes a tour of the Castle.
English
Curriculum topics available: Comprehension, Fairy tales, Story telling.
Leeds Castle offers a variety of workshops covering English. They include The Swan Princess (KS1) a unique to Leeds Castle story that the children act out while education leaders tell the story. Sybil the Cygnet (KS1) is a unique blend of literacy and science combined to produce the story of Sybil.
Both include a guided tour of the Castle
Biology
Curriculum topics available: Plants, Living things and habitats, Ecology and environment, Minibeasts, Habitats.
Leeds Castle offers ‘A Walk on the Wild Side’ for KS1 and Lower KS2.
This workshop involves an interactive look at British plants, trees and animals, including birds. An Owl will also be present for pupils to view. The class will learn how to make their own owls out of clay, which will be available to take home. They will also be given a Woodland Walk Trail to complete independently of the session.
What activities are available during group visits?
Themed workshops for UK schools, cover a range of topics such as Drama, History, Art and much more! These include; The Swan Princess (KS1), Leeds Castle: A Potted History (KS1 & KS2), Sybil the Cygnet (KS1), From Cave to Castle (KS2), The Field of the Cloth of Gold (KS1, KS2 & KS3), A Walk on the Wild Side (KS1 & KS2), The Artful Henry (KS2), Badges and Banners (KS1, KS2 & KS3), A Victorian Day (KS2), A Victorian Christmas (KS2), Early Learners Storytime (Nursery & Reception) and King of the Castle (KS3).
What size groups do you cater for?
Talks & Workshops (Min 25, Max 30-40 per group. Max 3 groups per day). No limit for self-guided visits.
Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?
The Education Centre can be used as a lunch room by schools booking a workshop. For self-guided groups Lunch Room Hire (subject to availability, must be pre-booked). £25 per hour. Max 30 per group.
Is there first aid on site?
Yes
Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?
Yes
Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Yes
Reviews from Schools visiting Leeds Castle!
Teacher Checklist 
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