Years 7 & 8 visit to Warwick Castle

From Margaret Horton, Head of History:

Plague, torture, execution, witchcraft, war…. if there’s anything you want to know, ask a member of Year 7 or 8! Following our trip to Warwick Castle last week, they are all now experts in such matters. 

Students could be seen guarding the ramparts, storming the towers, learning how to work the trebuchet, or how to prepare for battle with Richard, Earl of Warwick, the ‘Kingmaker'. Other periods of History were not neglected, with some civil war armour and weaponry on display, and there was even a clock which had belonged to Queen Marie Antoinette. 

But what I suspect will stay longest in their minds (and certainly in mine) was the  Dungeon Experience. Even before we got into the building, the melodrama was building up with one of our students locked in the cage where he would have been left to die if we hadn’t taken pity on him and released him. Next up was the ‘plague room’ where we were told all about the Black Death, its symptoms and the  “cures” tried, before a victim of the disease was disembowelled! 

We moved from there to the torture chamber where all many of nasty things punishments were inflicted on Mark and Rob. The female teachers were not let off, however, as Ruth and Margaret were both executed. Having just about survived the witch’s chamber in one piece it was quite a relief to emerge into 2013 and to have a peaceful picnic whilst watching the birds of prey demonstration. 

Overall, it was an excellent trip; our students behaved impeccably and were responsive and interested in everything we did. Even the weather stayed fine until the moment we got back in the coach. A great day out!