How do teachers benefit from a visit to Southwark Cathedral?

The teachers bring children to the Cathedral to participate in trails, workshops and investigations designed to relate to the demands of the curriculum and to be a stimulus for classroom activities. The Education Officer is an experienced teacher, whom visiting teachers can relate to as a professional colleague and with whom they will already have discussed the needs of their group. Since the Education Officer and the Centre team lead the trails, teachers, who are expected to be present throughout, are able to observe and assess their pupils' capabilities.

Resources for Teachers

Trails and workshops.
Teaching points sheets which outline the day's activities and includes suggested follow-up work in class.
Site visits prior to the school visit.
Literacy pack featuring stories based on the Cathedral which can be used independently of a cathedral visit or for follow-up work.

How do pupils benefit?

It is clear that our work satisfies a number of criteria as prescribed in the National Curriculum, but the trails, workshops and investigations can offer more to the pupils. At the Cathedral the pupils have the chance to work co-operatively and use their verbal, written and artistic skills to complete a piece of work.

In the trails and workshops pupils have an opportunity to exercise skills learned in the classroom and apply them in different surroundings. The differentiation of the tasks allows the less able pupils to shine and develop confidence in their work.

Since the Cathedral is above all else a place of Christian worship, it offers children of different faiths or none some contact with a living Christian community, helping them develop an understanding and respect for religious traditions in a setting which itself often provokes in them a sense of awe and wonder.

• Primary Scheme

• Secondary Programme

• General Information