At Malvern we believe that teaching history has many important benefits. It is the study of people and gives us a context from which to understand ourselves and others. History provides identity. Nations are made up of a collection of stories and legends. These help shape the way we think about our country and our standing within it. Learning history improves our decision making and judgement. The ability to question and evaluate information is a transferable skill much desired today. History shows us models of good and responsible citizenship. History teaches us how to learn from the mistakes of others. History also helps us understand change and societal development. It helps us understand difference and how societies have integrated. History can help us understand the present and make informed decisions about the future.
All the children at Malvern have many opportunities to enjoy learning history through Learning Expeditions, immersive experience events and historical visits.
Year 1 Memory Makers
As part of our Year 1 LE Memory Makers we have been learning about toys from the past and today we went to Swanside to speak to the members of our community at their afternoon tea to talk about games they played when they were children and how they have changed throughout the years. We sang songs and had a dance with John whilst he sang some songs to us. We also played games such as ludo, dominoes, snakes and ladders before giving them our pop-up cards we had made in DT. We all had a great time.
Year 1 Mary Anning Workshop
The children took part in a hybrid role play / dance workshop about the life of Mary Anning.
Year 3 Trip to Calderstones Park
As part of their Learning Expedition, Ages Ago, this week Year 3 children visited Calderstones Park to learn about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, The Calder Stones, late Neolithic hunter-gatherers and early farmers with their uniquely engaging, Storyhunter led approach. The children took part in many workshops, learning all about the Stone Age, even understanding how nature played such an important role the history of Britain, as well as creating their own cave paintings.
Year 3 There are Places I’ll Remember
As part of their topic (There are Places I’ll Remember) Year 3 have been learning about The Atlantic Slave Trade and the growth of Liverpool as a city. To deepen their understanding, the children spent a morning in Liverpool’s Slavery museum where they studied artefacts, learnt more about the slave trade and developed their understanding of Liverpool’s development into a port. Whilst in Liverpool, the children visited a variety of sites and discussed key architecture around the Albert Dock. The children also enjoyed a delicious meal in Smuggler’s Cove and rounded off the day by visiting roads with links to the slave trade. The children’s favourite road was dedicated to the brave and courageous William Roscoe, who fought for the abolition of slavery and the unfair treatment of fellow humans.
Year 3 Stone Age Workshop
Year 3 children took part in a Stone Age workshop – learning and enhancing their understanding of prehistoric Britian. They took part in role play – understanding how the development of farming, housing and lifestyle changed over time, as well developing their own team building skills. ‘It was so much fun – I loved it!”
Year 4 – Was Rome Really Built in a Day? – A Celebration of Roman Culture
During our first showcase of the academic year, year four pupils invited families to explore the beauty and precision of Roman mosaic art, as pupils exhibited stunning mosaic pieces inspired by Roman architecture.
Our young artists created borders using repeating patterns around a vibrant central motif. During the afternoon, Pupils also tested families’ historical knowledge and proudly presented beautifully written descriptions of an Iceni house—a testament to their growing appreciation of ancient history and its lasting influence on art and design.
It was a fantastic day celebrating creativity, history and the talents of our pupils! Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our budding historians and artists
Year 4 – Pupils Explore Ancient Rome at Deva Roman Experience!
We’re thrilled to share that our Year 4 pupils recently embarked on a captivating journey back in time to Ancient Rome at the Deva Roman Experience. Located in the heart of Chester.
During their visit, our young historians stepped into the shoes of ancient Romans, immersing themselves in the rich history of Roman Chester. They boarded a virtual ship, sailing back to the bustling port of Roman Chester. There, they explored the fortress, assumed Roman identities, and even had battle training at the Roman Amphitheatre.
Wandering through the streets of ancient Chester, our pupils learned about housing, soldiers, hygiene, and food. Hands-on exhibits brought these aspects of daily life to life! And when they took a seat in the Amphitheatre, they discovered tales of gladiators who once fought there. The arena echoed with stories of bravery and spectacle.
Deva Roman Experience doesn’t just tell stories—it showcases real historical remains. Our students explored open archaeological trenches, revealing the abundance of physical artifacts hidden beneath their feet.
At Deva Roman Experience, our pupils didn’t merely look through glass; they stepped right into the heart of Roman Chester.
Year 4 Viking Invasion
During the spring term, Year 4 travelled back in time to the period in history when the Vikings and Anglo Saxons conquered Britain! To enhance their learning, we were joined in school by another wonderful visit from ‘History Into Schools’.
Throughout the day, the Year 4 children were provided the opportunity to handle artefacts, dress like a Viking along with participating in a Viking and Anglo Saxon invasion. The children were surprised by how heavy the armour was worn by soldiers, especially swords and shields. A wonderful opportunity for children to broaden their knowledge!
Year 4 A Roman Invasion
To conclude their learning on the Romans, Year 4 participated in a fantastic visit from ‘History Into Schools’. The children were able to handle Roman artefacts in the morning and have a go at writing with Roman writing equipment. After break, the children learned how to play a Roman game with counters called ‘Rota’ which they all enjoyed and quickly became very competitive!
In the afternoon, the children met a soldier from the 2nd legion of Augustus who spoke to them about the Roman army. Several children then got to try on some Roman army uniform before experimenting with Roman battle techniques using shields and javelins. The day ended with a number of gladiator battles where children could demonstrate their excellent swordsmanship and shield work.
Year 5 World Museum – Liverpool
To broaden children’s understanding of the learning undertaken through their learning expedition ‘Walk Like An Egyptian’ and in preparation for ‘ The Sky At Night’ Year 5 children had an exciting trip to the World Museum in Liverpool. . They had an exciting time at the ancient Egyptian exhibition, where an archaeologist taught them about artefacts and the process of mummification. They even got to act out the steps of mummification! Afterwards, they visited the planetarium, learning about space, astronauts and their journeys beyond Earth. The children explored different floors of the museum, focusing especially on the ancient Egyptian floor, where they saw fascinating artefacts, coffins, and real mummies up close. It was an unforgettable experience!
Year 5 Tudor Experience Day
Year 5 pupils were provided an amazing experience as they travelled back in time to the Tudor era. The children were able to immerse themselves in various activities and get a glimpse of what life was like during this fascinating period.
One of the highlights of the day was the opportunity for the children to explore what a typical Tudor school day would have been like. They were given quill pens and ink pots to try writing in the traditional Tudor style.
In addition to experiencing Tudor school life, the children also had the chance to experience a Tudor banquet. They were treated to a feast fit for royalty, minus the food of course, with true Tudor plates, Goblets, Chester’s, Jugglers, Servants and Minstrels. The children were particularly curious about the Tudor dining etiquette.
Children also delved into the world of Tudor medicine and remedies. They discovered the many strange – and sometimes amusing – cures that were used during the period. From bloodletting to herbal concoctions, the children were astounded at how different medical practices were in Tudor times. They also had the chance to meet a “plague doctor” who explained the precautions and remedies used during the devastating outbreaks of the plague.
To conclude the day, we gathered in the school hall to watch a small performance of a Tudor play. We witnessed the drama, wit, and grandeur of Tudor theatre, as the actors’ recreated scenes from Francis Drake’s travels around the globe. The costumes, the language, and the passion on stage transported us back to Elizabethan England, leaving us in awe of the talent and creativity of the Tudor playwrights.
This immersive Tudor Day was an exceptional learning experience for the Year 5 children. It enhanced their understanding of the Tudor period by enabling them to actively participate in various aspects of Tudor life. By engaging in hands-on activities, the children were able to develop a deeper appreciation for the historical context they were learning about. This allowed children to foster a love for history and a desire to explore further.
Year 5 World Museum Liverpool
At the end of autumn term, Year 5 children had the wonderful opportunity to visit the World Museum in Liverpool to conclude learning of Walk Like An Egyptian and as an introduction to Sky At Night. Here, the children were able to view the collection of mummies that had been discovered in Egypt, enabling children to understand the process of mumification. Following this, children were able to look at a range of pottery, bowls, cups and other artefacts that had been discovered by archaeologists.
After exploring life in Ancient Egypt, children explored a range of space exploration items. This allowed children to begin thinking about what it would be like to travel to space as an astronaut and how planets may compare to our own.
Year 6 World War Two Evacuation Experience
To enhance their learning through the expedition ‘We’ll Meet Again’, Year 6 visited Tatton Park, spending their day as an evacuee on the farm and learning about the importance of Tatton Manson during the war. The children visited Aunt Mary in her cottage who told Year 6 how a family would live, what children would do for entertainment and they even got to make some delicious toast on the coal fire! Being put to work, the children got to experience what it was like milking a cow, feeding the chickens and polishing the leader of horse saddles and bridles. It was such a fantastic experience for our children!
Year 6 We’ll Meet Again – World War Two Experience Day
To conclude learning in the autumn term, Year 6 students had an immersive experience learning about World War II for their learning expedition ‘We’ll Meet Again’. In the morning, they interacted with an Air Raid Warden, exploring life on the Home Front, handling artefacts and learning to treat bomb casualties. They practiced bandaging injuries and using stretchers.
In the afternoon, the children had the opportunity to see military weapons, uniforms and artefacts as the warden transformed into a soldier. They even had a hands-on experience using water pumps to extinguish ‘incendiary bomb fires.’ It was a fascinating and educational day for all.
