Schools
Archaeology can make a very real contribution to learning in the classroom.
In history it provides an excellent context for practising the skills of historical enquiry. Through handling and examining artefacts pupils can learn to consider evidence critically; asking questions, testing assumptions and drawing their own conclusions. Archaeology can also add value and interest to local history studies.
Archaeology can enhance learning in other areas of the curriculum too. The skills of scientific enquiry are closely related to those of history; for example using information drawn from observation and measurement, asking questions and deciding on the best ways to find out the answers, and evaluating evidence.
Literacy can benefit too. A mysterious object can provide the stimulus for children to want to do their own research in books and on the internet. Identifying and cataloguing objects can give a good reason for writing reports, making notes, presenting a point of view, practising impersonal writing and developing an argument logically. Most important of all, perhaps, the wonder of holding something that was used by a real person long ago can stimulate excellent creative writing.
In mathematics recording the position of artifacts or features on a site gives a relevant context for practising the use of plans, co-ordinates and scale, while processing finds gives opportunities for using data handling tools.
Using maps and plans contributes to learning in geography as well, while the study of an area from the earliest times helps in the study of settlement patterns.
Archaeology can help in citizenship too. Thinking about how and why we might want to search out and protect our shared past encourages a sense of roots and responsibility while learning about the beliefs and spiritual life of other societies can help children respect the faiths and principles of others.
Archaeology is a cross-curricula subject which can do as much to enhance learning as it can to excite curiosity and interest.
Key Stage 1 & 2
Handling genuine historical objects is a great way of making a real connection with the past. It’s exciting, it prompts questions, it makes you think. It’s important that pupils have this experience of interpreting the past but it’s not easy to give them the opportunities to do so. Museums are the obvious places to go, but the cost and the difficulties or organising a visit limit the number of times this can be done.
At Wessex Archaeology working with finds and using them to interpret the past is our job. We can visit your school and run workshops using real artifacts, replicas and costumes suited to the period your class is studying. We offer workshops to support history study units on local history, the Egyptians, Romans, Saxons, Tudors and Victorians. Our visits can support work in literacy, numeracy and citizenship as well as history.
We also support schools in more ambitious history topics, helping with preparatory work in school and supporting learning on a site visit.
As a charity Wessex Archaeology is able to make school visits FREE to schools within a 50 mile radius of Salisbury. A contribution to the cost of travel is appreciated. Advance booking is essential.
For more details or to book a visit, please contact Margaret Bunyard, MA, PGCE Education Manager:
Telephone: 01722 343414 or e mail: m.bunyard@wessexarch.co.uk
Key Stage 3 & 4
Because archaeology is inherently exciting it can be a good way of enthusing or rekindling interest in a history topic.
Objects are an excellent tool for learning about the past, firing the imagination and provoking research. But it can be difficult to provide pupils with opportunities to handle them.
At Wessex Archaeology working with finds and using them to interpret the past is our job, but we are also a charity which aims to promote education in arts and heritage through archaeology. We can visit your school and run workshops tailored to the age of your pupils and the period they are studying.
We also support schools in more ambitious history topics like history days and we can help support learning for a site visit.
As a charity Wessex Archaeology is able to make school visits FREE to schools within a 50 mile radius of Salisbury. A contribution to the cost of travel is appreciated. Advance booking is essential.
We also take a limited number of work experience pupils each year. We welcome pupils who show the initiative to contact us directly and in good time.
For more details or to book a visit, please contact Margaret Bunyard, MA, PGCE Education Manager:
Telephone: 01722 343414 or e mail:m.bunyard@wessexarch.co.uk
St Osmund's School Dig
In 2008 Wessex Archaeology helped Year 4 pupils from St Osmund’s Primary School to excavate a small trench on their playing field.
The school is just outside the walls of Salisbury Cathedral Close, close to the heart of the medieval town. In the Victorian period the school was a convent and home to a group of nuns who looked after poor and abandoned children.
Year 4 pupils from St Osmund’s Primary School excavating a small trench on their playing field
The children dug enthusiastically, despite appalling weather. Their earliest finds were bits of medieval brick and tile and a piece of a medieval pottery.
Sherds of medieval brick and tile and a piece of a medieval pottery
The Victorian finds like slate pencils, marbles and a thimble, were particularly interesting to the young excavators because they were once used by children like themselves.
The metal U shape is from the heel of a child’s boot. The other metal object is a button hook.
Two Victorian marbles were found during the excavation. One is made of blue glass and the other once sealed the neck of a fizzy drink bottle. Children would smash the empty bottles to get the ‘marble’ out.
Victorian blue glass "marble".
The children found modern items like pieces of electrical wiring and bits of a credit card. The one they liked best was a small china hippopotamus!
Wade hippopotamus
After the excavation the children researched their objects and presented their findings to the rest of the class . Their discoveries will be a valuable, lasting resource for future pupils learning about their local history.