This week has seen some of our ELP pupils make some time travelling moves that Dr Who would be proud of! On Monday all of our ELP pupils went back in time to become foot soldiers or knights in Robert the Bruce’s army at the Battle of Bannockburn (see Sir Dale of Prestonpans above as evidence). On Tuesday our Senior ELPs (S3 students) then went even further back in time courtesy of British Rail (no jokes please) to become Viking warriors in the settlement of Jorvik – York to you or I.
Everyone had a fantastic time on Monday. The weather was perfect, the journey a pleasant drive through the countryside courtesy of George and the visit to the centre itself a joy to be involved in. All of the pupils participating were fully engaged with first the re-enactment video and then the interactive session with our special guide, Mark. We were able to don chain mail and extraordinary armour and helmets. Some tried out maces and swords and axes (all blunt!) whilst others got to grips with Welsh bows or crossbows.
Even the supporting members of staff got in on the act!
Is this one of Bruce’s men – or is it an extra from the Sound of Music? We can’t be certain! Sister Janis or Sir Cullen of the Pans? You decide…
On Tuesday, our Senior pupils made a very early start on their journey to England. A dawn meeting at Prestonpans train station was followed by a train journey south past lighthouses, Lindisfarne from our RME lessons, the Angel of the North, St James Park and many other interesting sights.
Steven is tired after an early start but enjoys his train trip.
On arrival in York the group headed for the National Railway Museum to have a look at all of the interesting trains. We got on board the Japanese Bullet train only to find that our heads were hitting the top of the doorways on the way in and out. We had a nose at the Royal Train and wondered at the fancy crest on the front of the engine. We found a train with a mailbox on the side and a grand engine called the Duchess of Hamilton – one that made Dr Voge jealous of us when we came back!
The Royal Train and two engines that look like they belong with Thomas the Tank Engine!
After a hearty lunch we headed to the Jorvik Centre – our main destination for the day. The whole idea behind this trip was to consolidate and elaborate the Social Subjects curriculum undertaken this session on the Vikings. We went back in time on a scratch and sniff tour of the settlement of Jorvik. We found fishermen and leather workers, woodsmen and amber craftsmen. We came across rotting carcasses in the streets, scuttling rats in our path and groups of dogs running wild. We watched people barter and tend evening fires, saw inside and outside thatched buildings and evening came across a rather constipated Viking on the loo – that’s when the scratch and sniff went into overdrive. But the boys will undoubtedly remember it for some time to come…
After the Jorvik Centre we then set off round the rest of the city…
Next stop was the beautiful and impressive minster. Unfortunately, it was closed to the public but we were able to wander round the gardens and some of the courtyards associated with the cathedral.
We also had an interesting walk along part of the old city walls and discovered a range of fascinating things as we went.
Finally we headed towards the famous Shambles…
The famous Shambles
We headed back to Prestonpans happy but tired after a long day. However, we are delighted we were given this opportunity to take the students so far afield to experience this fantastic day out. We not only consolidated and elaborated on our curricular work this session but we also had a lovely time sharing experiences outside the classroom. A big thank you to all who made this possible.
Now we’re off for a lie down in a darkened room… 😉
