Arundel Castle provides fantastic opportunities for educational visits. With a colourful history stretching back nearly 1,000 years it makes a perfect educational resource for many aspects of Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the National Curriculum. The aim of the Arundel Castle Educational Programme is to help students with their study in an informative, enjoyable and memorable way.
Questions posed in the workbooks are geared to the requirements of the National Curriculum, with particular relevance to Arundel Castle, and will be covered systematically so that students leave with a clear understanding of aspects of the syllabus as covered by the workbooks.
The tours are led by an Education Guide and sometimes partly by the teacher/group leader. A hands-on session in the Education Room with an experienced guide provides an opportunity to handle artefacts and/or weapons of the relevant period of study and trying on period costumes.
Students are also welcome to wear their own costumes.
Tours last approximately 2 hours, excluding break times, depending on the Key Stage and period covered. A brief resume of the workbooks (which may be photocopied) is as follows:
Key Stage 1 - Exploring Arundel Castle - approximately 2 hours.
Why it was built: its key element for defence e.g. drawbridge and portcullis.
What life was like living there: artefacts and weapons used in medieval times.
Key Stage 2 – Castles and Settlements – approximately 2 hours.
Why the Castle was built at Arundel: life in around the Castle for the Norman and Saxon population: artefacts and weapons used.
Key Stage 2 – Tudors – approximately 2 hours
The workbook is based on prominent people, including St Philip Howard, who lived or were connected with Arundel Castle: portraits, Tudor artefacts and weapons.
Key Stage 2 – Victorians – approximately 2 hours.
The workbook is based on a visit to the Castle by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1846: the preparations for the visit: how people lived in the Castle: the role of servants in the Castle: portraits: Victorian artefacts: Victorian greenhouses and kitchen gardens.
Key Stage 3 – Normans and Medieval Realms – approximately 2 hours.
Why the Castle was built and the varying stages of construction: who lived there and their connection with the monarchy: how they lived: artefacts, armour and weaponry used.
Key Stage 3 – Arundel Castle in the Civil War –approximately 2 hours.
How Royalists and Parliamentary troops battled for the Castle: the Civil War rooms: the Fitzalan Chapel and its desecration by the Parliamentarians.
These timings are a guide only and you can adapt the workbooks to suit your own requirements.
Other curriculum areas
Key Stage 2 and 3 - Art at Arundel Castle
Art trails can be arranged to show the work of artists and craftspeople through paintings, portraits, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and architecture.
Key Stages 1 – 3 – Science
Garden tours can be arranged when various plants and their habitats may be observed and classified.
Free Familiarisation Visits
Two teachers from each school are very welcome to visit during our normal opening hours prior to bringing their group. Please telephone the Education Officer or Head Guide to request complimentary tickets. Additional visitors must pay the full entrance price.
Education Room
An Education Room is provided for a session with an Education Guide for handling artefacts for the period of history studied.
Packed lunches may also be eaten in the Education Room or in the Grounds.
Charges and Payment
£4.50 per student. Teachers/Supervisors free at a ratio of 1 per 6 pupils for KS1 and 2 and 1 to 10 pupils for KS3. Additional adults will be charged at the group rate of £10.00 per person.
Small groups of 15 pupils or less will be charged the minimum rate of £70.00. We will ask you to sign an invoice request on arrival and an invoice will be sent to the School after the visit.
Cancellations Please advise us as soon as possible if you have to cancel your visit.
Late cancellations (less than 48 hours notice) will be charged the minimum rate of £70.00.
Booking your visit
When booking please be prepared to answer the following questions:
- How many adults and children?
- The age and KS of the students?
- Which period are they studying?
- Are Complimentary tickets required (max. 2 per school) to conduct your own risk assessment?
- Does anyone in the group have special needs?
Special Needs
We have wheelchair access throughout most of the Castle, but not to the Keep. However, we can make special arrangements so please contact the Education Officer or Head Guide to discuss your needs.
Gift Shop
The shop sells books, postcards and souvenirs. Students are welcome to visit in small groups at the end of the session but we do ask that teachers supervise groups at all times.
Parking
Coaches can drop off at the main Castle entrance in Mill Road and park for free in the main town car park that is opposite the main Castle entrance.
Castle Opening 2007
Arundel Castle will be open from Saturday 31st March to Sunday 28th October 2007.
Open Tuesday to Sunday inclusive throughout the season.
Closed on Mondays (except for Bank Holiday Mondays).
Times
Opening Times will be from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. School parties from 10.00 a.m
From 10.00 a.m. - Grounds, Gardens and Fitzalan Chapel.
From 11.00 a.m. The Keep.
From 12.00 noon Main Castle Rooms.
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