Led by one of our expert guides, primary school sessions all include an interactive tour and explore the house through creativity, interactive games and story creation. We then offer a choice of creative workshops designed to fit with the national curriculum. Our cross-curricular linked workshops include:
Marvellous Miniatures (half day visit) Reception and KS1
Using the House and Horace’s collection of treasures as inspiration, children create portraits fit to be displayed in Walpole’s cabinet of miniatures. They’ll parade through the magnificent Gallery in eighteenth-century costume and then decorate picture frames or treasure boxes for their special self-portrait.
The Fairytale Castle (half day visit) Reception and KS1
Our enchanting ‘fairytale castle by the Thames’ is a storybook setting where children spot battlements and turrets, knights in armour, coats of arms and heraldic beasts. Dressed as eighteenth-century lords and ladies they’ll enjoy the splendour of the Gallery and then create headwear fit for a King or Queen to take home.
Curriculum links (Reception):
Expressive Arts and Design
Understanding the world
Communication and Language
Curriculum links (KS1):
English
History
Art and Design
Art Detective (half day visit) KS2
Students become art detectives in identifying the origins of Walpole’s art collection! From stained-glass windows to sculptures, collecting art was one of Horace’s passions. While solving the mysteries around the art collection, children become familiar with a range of time periods, themes, and mediums. They will then get the change to design their own stained-glass window to exhibit at home.
Curriculum Links:
Art and Design
History
Geography
Immersive Storytelling (half day visit) KS2
Students will immerse themselves in the birthplace of Gothic writing through an interactive tour of the house. The children will be encouraged to take part in art, creative writing and drama activities that will introduce them to the features of spooky story writing. At the end, they’ll have the chance to create their own mystery story, using parchment and quills – in true eighteenth-century fashion!
Curriculum links:
Art and Design
History
Language and Literacy
English
After the sessions you are welcome to stay on to picnic in our beautiful grounds or explore the woodland walk with its wonderful wildlife and storytelling glade for your own fairytale experience.
‘The session was pitched perfectly to meet the needs of the children. The team were wonderful at managing and inspiring the children during the session and all pupils were highly engaged and involved throughout. Would highly recommend to other teachers. The learning outcomes achieved were outstanding – pupils’ knowledge and understanding certainly developed. Children were encouraged to be creative and imaginative, and lots of opportunities for follow up work have come from the visit. Certainly staff, as well as pupils, learned from the session!’
Stanley Primary School
Join our Education Team for workshops that will spark students’ imaginations for all things Gothic.
What is Gothic? (half/full day visit) KS3/KS4
The workshops give the students a sound background in the Gothic genre, which is really useful as preparation for the discussion of Gothic context at GCSE level. Activities include an interactive tour of the house, a Gothic-writing session, and a Gothic Comics workshop.
Curriculum links:
English
History
Art and Design
Citizenship
Design and Technology
‘I am definitely planning on using Strawberry Hill as an annual trip for the year 8 classes, they absolutely loved the experience of being in a Gothic setting. The visit reinforced everything that the Year 8s learnt about what features you would see in a Gothic setting.’
Long Close School
‘Students were really buzzing about the trip when they got back and there has been increased engagement in our lessons, with students making many connections from the visit with the texts that we are studying.’
The Richmond Upon Thames School
Gothic Tour
Students will be inspired by one of England’s most elegant and eccentric Gothic houses and the home of Gothic literature, touring the House with one of our expert guides.
Gothic Tour and Lecture
As part of their visit to the home of the first Gothic novel, Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto, students will delve into the details of Gothic literature and learn all about the cultural and social contexts behind it.
The lecture will complement the students’ learning of Gothic as part of their A-level, Undergraduate, or Postgraduate studies.
‘Students really enjoyed the day and learnt what Gothic is in a way that can’t be achieved in a classroom.’
Lewes 6th Form College
‘A must see for anyone interested in Gothic Literature. Fantastic!’
Undergraduate student, Texas
‘The students learnt about the origins of Gothic tastes in literature and architecture. The tour was excellent, and the house a delight.’
Professor – Gothic Literature, Kentucky
Strawberry Hill House is a rich resource for teachers-in-training to learn how to use a heritage site for cross-curricular activities.
Teacher Training
Taking our education programme and Horace Walpole’s creativity as inspiration, teacher-trainees will learn about using a heritage site to design and deliver multi- and interdisciplinary workshops.
The training includes an interactive tour of the house tailored to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education students, and further insight into our primary and secondary learning programme.
Learning Outside the Classroom
In agreement with a primary or secondary school, teachers-in-training have the chance to put their learning into practice at Strawberry Hill House by delivering cross-curricular activities to primary/secondary school pupils. The teacher-trainees and school teachers will have the chance to visit the house prior to the day to plan the activities.
If you would like to become a partner institution and participate in our education training programme with workshops tailored to your curriculum plan, please contact: learning@strawberryhillhouse.org.uk
Strawberry Hill House is committed to meeting the expectations of teachers and students alike.
By joining the Strawberry Hill House Education Network, teachers and educators help us in ensuring the high quality and suitability of our education offer.
As part of the network, you will be able to:
We welcome trainee teachers, qualified teachers and educators working in any education stage and area of specialism.
If you are interested in joining the Education Network, please email: learning@strawberryhillhouse.org.uk
Strawberry Hill House and Garden runs an exciting and creative programme to inspire and engage the whole family within the magical castle setting.
We offer free entry for under 16’s and offer our younger visitors a free House & Garden map to explore.
To learn more about our events programme at Strawberry Hill House please visit our What’s On page.
‘Such a well thought out session with the dressing up, story telling and craft session. There’s a lot of fun, listening and creativity all in an hour. My grandson and I both loved it.’ Ellie, Visitor
