Motivational and educational! Through these costumed historical characters I offer exciting experiences for your children, interactive ways to learn history and to practise all sorts of KS 1 and 2 literacy skills - from speaking and listening to reading and writing, with a large dose of imagination thrown in. At KS3 I work through descriptions and stories, question and answer sessions (like 'hot seating') and demonstration to shed light on all sorts of aspects of social, religious and political History. I am a qualified teacher and an experienced reenactor.
My characters range in time from an Elizabethan seafarer (Tudors), through several seventeenth century manifestations (for history and literacy) to an early eighteenth century pirate. The different characters work in a variety of ways, some focusing on storytelling and demonstration, some on written literacy work, some on roleplayed, imagined adventures, but all "in role" and with a solid historical base. See below for information on each of them.
John Nevison arrives on the run from a hue and cry - a very exciting and immediately involving situation for the children. After telling the children tall tales of his exploits, he asks them to 'correct' various documents written about him, their new versions based upon what he himself has told them. The work is differentiated to suit different levels of ability: a ballad that might be sung about him for years to come; a news-sheet full of his adventures; a London Gazette Wanted Notice; and an exercise to create false descriptions / pictures to mislead the local watchmen! Nevison then visits the children in groups as they work, to spend a bit of time with them, teaching card games, playing nine men's morris, counting shillings and half crowns, etc. At the end he tells the story of his most famous exploit. This popular visit is focused on Years' 5 or 6 Literacy, and has been running successfully for many years now.
Several schools have used this character to add an exciting experience to the children's study of "The Highwayman " poem. The children really enjoy his visits!
For KS3 Nevison reveals some of the different (and perhaps not so different) "lives, beliefs, ideas and attitudes" (History NC) of his time, an insight into the criminal side of late seventeenth century England, as well as its laws and punishments.
More information on a session with John Nevison
A late Elizabethan ship's captain who went with Sir Walter Ralegh on his quest for El Dorado. He 'takes' children on an imagined, role-played journey through the forests of Guiana to create their own exciting and eventful story, which they can write later. A different tale emerges with each class. Listening, speaking, co-operating and decision-making skills are all exercised. He can also discuss seafaring in particular or the Elizabethan period in general (like a Q&A session). If your children study Tudor seafaring in any detail then this visit is perfect, but as it doesn't require the children to have any previous knowledge, it works very well as a stand-alone Literacy exercise, or as a creative and fun foray into an imagined Elizabethan world. Needless to say, the children become very caught up in their exciting story!
With KS3 pupils Eynos can explore the true nature of many Elizabethan adventuring seafarers - as privateering "Sea Rovers". He can tell of life aboard ship (or land!), of navigation and warfare at sea, as well as of the actions of famous seafarers such as Drake and Ralegh. As a late Elizabethan he can discuss politics too, such as the life and death of Queen Mary, the plots against Elizabeth, the great Armada and its defeat (History NC - "the impact of significant political, social, cultural, religious, technological and/or economic developments and events on past European and world societies,").
More information on a session with Captain Eynos
Obadiah tells stories of his experiences, particularly of warfare, and can engage in a wide-ranging Q&A discussion of seventeenth century life in general. Topics range from mundane, day to day aspects like diet and travel to religious beliefs and the government, as well as his ideas concerning the causes of the war and famous people. He can demonstrate the use of the musket (not actual firing!); describe his other possessions; teach the children marching drill in the yard; and give an account of various battles, perhaps employing children to represent the units involved.
(Picture used by permission of John Beardsworth, taken from his page www.traynedbandes.org.uk/putney2007/)
As a "politicised" New Model Army soldier, Obadiah can also talk to KS3 pupils about the Putney debates and the radical ideas addressed at the time. He can discuss the war, tactics, strategies and personalities in more depth, as well as why he and others have gone to war.
(KS3 NC "changes in the relationship between rulers and ruled over time, the changing relationship between the crown and parliament, and the development of democracy; the way in which the lives, beliefs, ideas and attitudes of people in Britain have changed over time and the factors ... war, religion and culture ... that have driven these changes".)
More information on Civil War sessions
Sir William Petty is a rather famous gentleman who knows the king and many other famous folk. Although he lives mainly in Ireland, one of his London homes was burned down during the Great Fire. Petty tells the story of the fire (or perhaps the children tell him much of it in a discussion?) during which the children join in several activities, for example making a "bucket chain" and considering how the fire spread. After this, the children might make posters to put up in London, informing the citizens how to rebuild the city better than before, as well as what to do and what not to do if there is another fire. Or they can help Sir William map the new London, each having their own little district to re-draw, creating a huge jigsaw map display featuring work by every child in the class.
More information on a session with Sir William
This early 18th century pirate knows stories about buccaneers and pirates from the famous Henry Morgan to the infamous Blackbeard, from the terrible L'Ollonois to the cunning Jean Doublet. As pirates are currently somewhat popular with children then, if you wish, this new character could work with the whole junior school by moving from room to room. This way he can spend half an hour or so with each class telling tall (but historical) tales of Caribbean sea rovers, and answering questions about pirate ships, weapons, tactics and life at sea or in port. This means all the children in the school get to meet him (depending on the size of your school). Or he can work with one or two classes to do more involved work, with lengthier, more detailed question and answer sessions and discussions.
KS3 pupils will discover a more historical version of pirates compared to the popular media. Yet they will discover the reality was often brutal and very cruel, and no less full of adventure. All sorts of National Curriculum areas can be addressed: how technological, legal and economic developments changed piracy over time; how war promoted a certain kind of piracy; the impact sea rovers had on the lands overseas, on trade and on the inhabiting peoples; how piracy was moulded by conflict and cooperation between nations. Of course, just learning something of the real history of pirates enlightens children regarding the fictional accounts they encounter today.
More information on a session with Captain Burwash
This fellow is one of several possibilities - the governor of Sandal Castle, Pontefract Castle, Skipton Castle or Helmsley Castle. Like Obadiah above he talks about the Civil Wars, but with his own slant on experiences, concentrating on siege warfare and local events. He's a great choice if your school is near one of these locations.
Like Obadiah the musketeer (see above), this gentleman can talk to KS3 pupils about the radical religious and political ideas of the Civil wars. He can discuss the causes and course of the war in great depth, the battles of the mind as well as of the field.
(KS3 NC "changes in the relationship between rulers and ruled over time, the changing relationship between the crown and parliament; the impact of significant political, social, cultural, religious, technological and/or economic developments and events on past European and world societies".)
More information on Civil War sessions
This isn't actually a character visit. Instead it is an involving and fun local history lesson in which I use a large map and painted toy soldiers to teach about the English Civil War battle at Wakefield in 1643, when Sir Thomas Fairfax and 1500 Parliamentarian soldiers faced George Lord Goring and 3000 Royalists. First, the children learn about the local terrain, the soldiers involved and their weapons. Then the class is divided into groups to write their battle plans - troop deployment, movements and "cunning ploys". Then we fight the battle to see what would have happened had your children been in charge! Now that the children have a good understanding of what everything represents, we end the session by seeing what actually happened that day in 1643. The lesson takes half a day, and so can be done with two classes in one day.
More information on Civil War sessions
With bonfire night approaching, I am putting the final touches to this character right now. As soon as I have his first outings under my belt, I will include on this site much more information regarding the sessions.
He could also be used for KS3 visits, discussing in depth what drove him to take part in such a horrendeous plot, describing the dashed hopes and suffering of English Catholics under Elizabeth and James, and all the difficulties endured by the Jesuit and Seminarian priests. He can talk about his fellow plotters and what exactly they intend to do. This is an interesting character in terms of the modern political situation, considering he was in many ways a "terrorist" fighting for his religion! As such, I am prepared to come out of role at the end of a session to talk to the children about the character as a historian, to look at his ideas and attitudes from that angle too.
(KS3 NC "Changes in the relationship between rulers and ruled over time. The way in which the lives, beliefs, ideas and attitudes of people in Britain have changed over time and the factors, such as ... religion ... that have driven these changes. Explore the ways in which the past has helped shape identities, shared cultures, values and attitudes today".)
I am a qualified teacher with 8 years of experience working "in-role" as Benjamin Clarke at Clarke Hall Educational Museum, as well as visiting schools as a variety of characters. A graduate with an MA in History, I have a fascination for the 16th and 17th centuries. I've worked with a range of 'audiences', from costumed battlefield talks on Marston Moor for the US military to in-role sessions at Sandal castle for groups of over 55 olds! I've been a roleplayer since my early teens and a re-enactor since the age of 18, first with the English Civil War Society and since with Seventeenth Century Life and Times and the Sealed Knot, taking on many roles over the years: from Sir Roger Le Strange stirring up armed royalists in Norfolk to an out of work actor with a gang of children pick-pockets and cut-purses; from privateer Captain Burwash dealing in Kent with "Owlers"(Wool Smugglers - a dangerous profession indeed) to a family member of umpteen gentry households the length and breadth of the kingdom and especially in Yorkshire. I have fought on uncountable smoky battlefields and commanded the garrison at many a castle (though I never seem able to keep a hold of them).
I adopt a flexible approach to every visit, endeavouring to liaise with the teachers involved in advance so that I can modify my sessions according to a variety of factors such as existing knowledge; ability level; school resources; groupings; timings; etc. I strive to interact as many individual children as possible within each group and to ensure that all of them have the best possible fun and educational experience. My language is old fashioned enough to draw children in and convince them, but carefully considered in terms of their understanding, and honed over the last 8 years of working with primary aged pupils. I try to make sure I explain any words crucial to their comprehension of the stories and literacy exercises.
As well as being costumed I bring a variety of artefacts and possessions for demonstration purposes, Q and A, as well as for supervised and careful handling by the children.
A full day visit costs £250
To book a visit, or simply to get more information, please e-mail me (using the following link) to tell me what you are interested in. Please include your own name and school name so I know who to get back to. I will then be in touch as soon as possible to inform you of my availability and to discuss your particular needs.
paul@visitors-from-the-past.co.uk
You can telephone me on 01977 625142. If I am not available, please leave a message or e-mail.
"What a fantastic day! All the children from Reception to Year 6 have been enthralled from beginning to end. A great way to start our theme week." [Mrs C. Mayers, Teacher, Simpson's Lane Junior and Infant School]
"Wow! What a wonderful experience for our children. Their faces said it all. Your patter and knowledge was just at the correct level for our children. A huge thank you!" [Mrs C. Marshall, Teacher, Margaret McMillan Primary School]
"A fantastic, thrilling day. My years 4 and 5 class learnt so much through practical activities. The whole class were engaged by our pirate captain who stayed in role throughout giving the children such a valuable experience." [Mr Rob Cole, Teacher, Whitecliffe Primary School]
"I thought he totally captured the children's imagination." [Helen Benson, Teaching Assistant, Whitecliffe Primary School]
"What a fantastic pirate day we had! Captain Burwash's outfit, weapons and stories had us captured all day. His tales of sea battles and the gruesome deaths of his pirate friends really triggered the children's imaginations. From the expressions on their faces I am sure it was an experience they will remember forever." [Carol McMillan, Parent & Teaching Assistant, Whitecliffe Primary School]
"A fabulous day! All the children were enthralled and involved for the whole day. We have all learnt a great deal and the activities were great fun and I know this visit will lead to some excellent work in the following few weeks. A wonderful experience. Thank you again." [Bev Carrarini, Teacher, Woodcroft First School]
"The children gained so much from your visit and lots of parents commented on the knowledge the children had about the Great Fire of London after you had visited." [Miranda Auckland, Teacher, Fixby Junior and Infant School]
"I just wanted to say thanks for a wonderful day at school. All the children and staff really enjoyed it and I'm sure we will get some excellent follow-up work from it. It brought the topic to life for the children and reinforced much of the work we have been doing since September. We look forward to working with you again." [Helen Reed, Cobblers Lane Primary]
"Dear Sir William, Thank you very much for coming to talk to us about the Great Fire of London. We have done as you asked and have completed our design for the rebuilding. There are many new churches and a lovely new St Paul's cathedral. We have to confess that Sir Christopher Wren's design was far superior to anything we could come up with, so his design has pride of place at the centre of our map. Please give our regards to Mr Pepys. Yours truly, The Year 2 scholars of the School of Ss Peter and Paul, Yeadon"
"He was really, really funny. He's good at acting, knows a lot of information and I'd like him to come in again. I learnt lots from him."[Liam, Year 6] "Captain Burwash, you were awesome, so were your weapons."[Jordan, Year 5] "I liked finding out lots of information that I didn't know before. It was really, really exciting."[Lucy, Year 6] These all from Whitecliffe Primary School
"You brought the experience to life and everyone has commented on how remarkable you were. The children believed that you truly were from the past." [Jenifer Morton, Teacher, Lawns Park Primary School]
"The success of the programme hangs principally on the outstanding talent, dedication and energy of the exceptional - one - freelance teacher who leads the five hour session every day of the week ... The whole day was masterfully managed ... The Clarke Hall teacher uses language appropriate to his role and the children and accompanying adults reply in kind. This sustains the stepping-back-in-time experience. This aspect of the day alone sustained the children's interest for the five hour visit .. The creative and dynamic museum educator at Clarke Hall museum gives every child and adult visitor to this fine 17th Century house an unforgettably powerful experience of domestic life through Living history." [Judge's comments for the Sandford Award for Heritage Education, Heritage Education Trust]
"Each class returning from Clarke Hall has done so full of excitement and enthusiasm. This has been due to your hard work and skill at creating such a unique learning experience for adults and children alike." [Duncan Smith, Head of Year 4, Airedale Junior School]
"One of my "special needs" children (behaviour as well as academic) declared it to be "the best day of his life"!" [Carolyn Ashley, Teacher, Kippax Ash Tree Primary School]
"Your passion and enthusiasm for, and deep knowledge of, the period were clearly evident, and were an inspiration to us all." [Jane Cameron, A member of The Friends of Willoughbridge Garden Trust]
