School visits to The Commandery

A photo showing school children taking part in a pike drill in the garden at The Commandery.

Learning from across the centuries

The Commandery is the perfect place to inspire pupils’ curiosity about the past.

It brings local and national history to life with a whole host of hands-on activities and workshops for all ages and abilities.

All of our activities are led by experienced staff and support specific schemes of work whilst also helping pupils to make cross-curricular links between different subject areas.

When you visit us, the day will include learning sessions led by us and a self-led session around the building. Two facilitated sessions and a self-led session is £6.95 per child.

‘Each session was perfectly pitched for our class, who already knew lots about the English Civil War. We came away with so much new knowledge and can’t thank the team enough.’ Recent teacher feedback.

How do I book?

If you would like to book with us, please fill in the enquiry form and return it to megan.keary@worcester.gov.uk.

How much do the trips cost per child?

The cost of the trip will be £6.95 per child. This includes 2 facilitated sessions and time to explore the museum.

Can I come and see the site prior to the visit?

Yes, all teachers are welcome to visit the Commandery prior to their visit to help with completing your risk assessment for free. Please email megan.keary@worcester.gov.uk to arrange a date for this.

How many children can we bring on a visit?

We can accommodate up to 60 children at a time for all our advertised sessions and within our usual timetable.

For groups of more than 60 children, we could still accommodate your group for a visit but will need to be discussed with our Learning and Outreach Coordinator at megan.keary@worcester.gov.uk.

Do you have lunch facilities?

Yes, we have rooms inside that your group can eat their lunch in. If the weather is nice then lunch can also be eaten outside in our garden.

Do you have toilet facilities?

Yes, we have public toilet facilities and accessible toilets.

What is the accessibility of the building like?

Find out about the accessibility of the building here. If you would like to talk about specific arrangements for someone in your class, then please email megan.keary@worcester.gov.uk.

Can we park a coach or mini bus on site?

A mini-bus parking bay is available in The Commandery grounds by prior request only. Please email megan.keary@worcester.gov.uk to request this.

Unfortunately, coaches cannot get to our car park but there is a coach drop-off point close to the Commandery on King Street (WR1 2NX). This is near to Museum of Royal Worcester. Children will need to cross a road from the drop-off point to get to The Commandery. Coach parking is available in Croft Road car park (WR1 3NZ).

Shop visit or goody bags?

We have a shop that the children can visit, or you can request goody bags for your class. Please let us know on the booking form if you would like to either visit the shop or buy goody bags.

Do you have a risk assessment?

Yes, our site risk assessment is available. Teachers are also welcome to visit the Commandery prior to their trip to help with completing their own risk assessment. Please email megan.keary@worcester.gov.uk to arrange a date for this and/or to receive a copy of our risk assessment.

Are your sessions suitable for groups or children with additional needs?

Our sessions can be adapted to the needs of all learners: please enquire about how our sessions could be tailored to suit your group by emailing megan.keary@worcester.gov.uk.

Is there a café on site?

We do have a café on site, called Commandery Coffee, which teachers and accompanying adults are able to use.

What if I need to cancel a trip?

The Commandery aims to be as accommodating as possible with education group bookings. However, because of the high level of demand and costs incurred, if a booking is cancelled with less than 7 days’ notice we reserve the right to charge the full amount. Please ensure you confirm with the Learning Coordinator your cancellation. Full terms and conditions will be provided on your booking form.

What is the recommended ratio of adults to children?

We recommend a ratio of 1 adult to 10 children. During your visit all children must be suitably supervised at all times by school teaching staff or other accompanying adults.  The Commandery does not accept responsibility for the supervision of the children.

What does a usual timetable of a school visit to The Commandery look like?

Our usual arrival time for schools is 10am and the departure time is 2pm. If this doesn’t work for your group, then you can discuss it with megan.keary@worcester.gov.uk.

This is our usual timetable for a group with 30 children in it:

  Group 1 Group 2
10.00 Arrival Arrival
10.15 Session 1 Self-led Activity
11.15 Session 2 Session 1
12.15 Lunch Lunch
13.00 Self-led Activity Session 2
14.00 Departure Departure

This is our usual timetable for a group with 60 children:

  Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
10.00 Arrival Arrival Arrival
10.15 Session 1 Session 2 Self-led Activity
11.15 Self-led Activity Session 1 Session 2
12.15 Lunch Lunch Lunch
13.00 Session 2 Self-led Activity Session 1
14.00 Departure Departure Departure

Still have questions that we haven’t answered here?

Please email our Learning and Outreach Coordinator at megan.keary@worcester.gov.uk.

The Commandery’s Risk Assessment Information for School Visits

Take a look through the sessions:

We offer the following topics for schools. Please bear in mind that these sessions are guidelines and can be adapted to suit your pupils’ age and SEND requirements or your educational programme.

Get Ready for Battle!

Uncover the different roles the common soldier played in the Civil War by learning about the pikemen, the musketeers and the cavalry officers.

You can step into their shoes by putting on replica armour and handling replicas of the weapons.

Then, it’s time to report for training, soldier! Become a Civil War soldier by taking part in fully interactive pike and cannon drills using replica equipment. Understand the skills these soldiers had to have, follow the commands of the captain… or else!

Key Stages 2 and 3, 1 hour.

History KS2: Gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world; inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past; a local history study; a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066.

English KS2: Ask relevant questions to extend understanding and knowledge; articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions; maintain attention and participate in conversations, initiating and responding to comments; listen and respond to adults and peers; ask relevant questions.

Geography KS2: name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom; understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom

History KS3: Pupils should extend and deepen their chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, so that it provides a well-informed context for wider learning; pupils should identify significant events, make connections, draw contrasts, and analyse trends within periods and over long arcs of time; the development of Church, state and society in Britain 1509-1745; a local history study.

In Their Shoes: Life in Stuart Times

A photo showing a demonstration of surgery taking place.

Learn more about what life was like in England when the Civil War was taking place.

This interactive session involves literally stepping into the shoes and clothes of the time to give an insight into how soldiers and women lived. Also, discover more about food, equipment and religion during this period using replica artefacts.

Finally, learn the gruesome details of how war wounds were treated when you meet the surgeon!

Key Stages 2 and 3, 1 hour.

History KS2: Gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world; inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past; a local history study; a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066.

English KS2: Ask relevant questions to extend understanding and knowledge; articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions; maintain attention and participate in conversations, initiating and responding to comments; listen and respond to adults and peers; ask relevant questions.

Geography KS2: name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom; understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom

History KS3: Pupils should extend and deepen their chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, so that it provides a well-informed context for wider learning; pupils should identify significant events, make connections, draw contrasts, and analyse trends within periods and over long arcs of time; the development of Church, state and society in Britain 1509-1745; a local history study.

A Tour to Fort Royal

A photo showing a school session taking place at the top of Fort Royal Hill.

Why was Worcester such an important place during the Civil War?

Using maps and taking a walk up to Fort Royal Park, unearth the significant details that led up to the Battle of Worcester and understand what happened in the aftermath.

Learn about the role the city of Worcester played and decide whether Fort Royal should be considered ‘hallowed ground’ – an American president thought so!

Key Stages 2 and 3, 1 hour.

History KS2: Gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world; inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past; a local history study; a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066.

English KS2: Ask relevant questions to extend understanding and knowledge; articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions; maintain attention and participate in conversations, initiating and responding to comments; listen and respond to adults and peers; ask relevant questions.

Geography KS2: name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom; understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom

History KS3: Pupils should extend and deepen their chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, so that it provides a well-informed context for wider learning; pupils should identify significant events, make connections, draw contrasts, and analyse trends within periods and over long arcs of time; the development of Church, state and society in Britain 1509-1745; a local history study.

The Birth of Democracy

A photo showing school children looking around the museum.

Discover how the English Civil War had a huge impact on how our country works to this day.

Learn how Charles I and Charles II set in motion changes that would result in a battle for democracy.

Develop your understanding about how parliament and democracy work in the present day, leading up to taking part in a real debate and vote at the ballot box!

Key Stages 2 and 3, 1 hour.

History KS2: Gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world; inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past; a local history study; a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066.

English KS2: Ask relevant questions to extend understanding and knowledge; articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions; maintain attention and participate in conversations, initiating and responding to comments; listen and respond to adults and peers; ask relevant questions.

Geography KS2: name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom; understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom

History KS3: Pupils should extend and deepen their chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, so that it provides a well-informed context for wider learning; pupils should identify significant events, make connections, draw contrasts, and analyse trends within periods and over long arcs of time; the development of Church, state and society in Britain 1509-1745; a local history study.

KS1 Civil War and Worcester

A photo showing objects used in Civil War school sessions at The Commandery.

Come and join us for the day as we bring the history of the Civil War to life!

Learn about the significant events and the impact they had both locally and nationally.

Children can find out how Civil War soldiers would fight, what they would wear and even walk to Fort Royal where part of the Battle of Worcester took place.

‘Megan pitched the session perfectly for Y1. All children were engaged and enjoyed the day.’ – Year 1 teacher.

Key Stage 1. Two 1-hour sessions and a 1-hour self-led session.

History KS1: Pupils should develop an awareness of the past, using common words and phrases relating to the passing of time; they should know where the people and events they study fit within a chronological framework and identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods; they should understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past and identify different ways in which it is represented; events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally; the lives of significant individuals in the past; significant historical events, people and places in their own locality.

English KS1: listen and respond appropriately to adults and peers; ask relevant questions to extend understanding and knowledge.

Science KS1: identify and name a variety of everyday materials; describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials.

Geography KS1: understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the United Kingdom.

The Commandery

Get in touch

Please submit an enquiry form and the team will be in touch as soon as possible.

If your query is urgent, contact the Learning Team on 01905 361821.

Where to find The Commandery

Make an enquiry

For more information, to discuss or make a booking with The Commandery, please submit an enquiry form and the team will be in touch as soon as possible.

If your query is urgent, contact the Learning Team on 01905 361821.