English Schools

Schools Department runs a number of programmes structured for pupils. For more information on these programmes please see below and view the History and RE Curriculum Information

Key stage one and Two

Photocopiable activity sheets, costume trails, activity room, guided tours and pupils' newspaper are available.

HISTORY FOCUS

Lives of famous people - Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings
Find out about St Augustine, St Dunstan, St Alphege.

The Tudors
Learn about the destruction of the monastery and the Shrine of St Thomas.

Ways of life in the past
What was life like in a medieval monastery.

The life and death of Thomas Becket
Visit the site of Becket's murder

RE FOCUS

Special Places
What do we find in a Cathedral? The Font, the Pulpit, the Lectern, the altar

Prayer and Worship
How do Christians use the Cathedral?

Pilgrimage
Follow in the footsteps of Chaucer's pilgrims

Saints and martyrs
What is a saint and a martyr? Find out about the Canterbury saints, particularly Thomas Becket.

Religion in the community
Speak to members of the Cathedral community and a Chaplain about the importance of the Cathedral to them.

Places of worship

Signs and symbols

MATHS FOCUS

Shapes and Patterns
Investigate the shapes, patterns, symmetry and tessellations that can be found in this amazing building. How can we measure the height of Bell Harry Tower without a tape-measure?

SCIENCE FOCUS

Life Processes
What types of green plants, moss and lichen can you find? Where are they growing and why? Take the soil temperature and investigate the micro-climate in different parts of the precincts.

Light and Dark
How do the shadows change during the day? Why do the windows look so different inside and outside the Cathedral? Use a colour chart to record the different colour of the stones.

Forces and Movement
Investigate forces and counterbalance at the Font. See how the weight of the Cathedral is spread out by the vaulted ceilings to relieve the pressure on the columns. Find out how arches work in the Project Room.

 

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Key Stage Three

Photocopiable activity sheets, guided tours and pupils’ newspaper are available.

HISTORY FOCUS

Britain 1066 - 1500

Medieval realms: the relationship of the monarchy with the church, Lanfranc, Anselm, Becket, Sudbury

Explore medieval society, beliefs, monasticism, arts and architecture, Chaucer, pilgrimage.

Britain 1500 - 1750

The making of the United Kingdom: the Reformation and Canterbury Cathedral.

The dissolution of the monastery and the destruction of the Shrine

The Civil War and Canterbury Cathedral

RE FOCUS

Pilgrimage

What makes Canterbury special? What is the impact of pilgrimage? The story of Thomas Becket.

How is the building used? altar, font etc.

A contemporary Christian Community.

Interview a vicar or priest about their job.

MATHS FOCUS

The Cathedral as a mathematical resource.

ENGLISH FOCUS

Find out what Chaucer’s pilgrims would have experienced during their visit to Canterbury.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE FOCUS

 

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Key Stage 4

Guided Tours and trail sheets are availiable

HISTORY FOCUS

GCSE Investigation of a site: the impact of the Norman Conquest/Reformation on the Cathedral.

RE FOCUS

GCSE Assignment - Pilgrimage

Pilgrimages, the Middle Ages and Today: What is pilgrimage? Why have pilgrims visited Canterbury for over 700 years?

Topic book and film presentation available.

Christian Worship - Explore the buildings and people involved with Christian worship in the past and the present.

Study of the Gospels: how does the Cathedral relate to the Gospels?

ART AND ARCHITECTURE FOCUS

Using the Cathedral as a unique resource, study the various styles or architecture, stained glass etc.

 

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Post 16

Guided Tours and trail sheets are availiable

GNVQ FOCUS

Travel and tourism: tourism fact file and introductory talks.

ENGLISH FOCUS

A level English Literature: Chaucer and Canterbury Cathedral.

RE FOCUS

Sixth Form RE Conferences can be arranged including an experiential individual tour "Being in Canterbury Cathedral".

Religion and the arts: Guided tours and topic book available.