Education & School Workshops - Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels & Gardens
Source: https://ushaw.org/schools
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:20
Education & School Workshops - Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels & Gardens
Education
& Schools
A range of full-day educational workshops for schools.
Just outside of Durham and conducted by our experienced education officer, our exciting and engaging school workshops give pupils the opportunity to explore our unique history, collections and grounds.
Ushaw wins Sandford Award for Education
The
Sandford Award
is the leading quality mark for heritage sites and is the only form of accreditation in existence in the UK, to provide independent quality assurance through on-site assessment. Recognition is also given to informal learning such as family programmes and self-guided provision.
Workshops
Inspiring Architecture
Get hands on making your own
architectural structures in an inspirational setting
Explore Ushaw’s stunning architecture in a full day hands on workshop where we will be designing and working to briefs celebrating archways and stained glass windows.
Suitable for Key Stage 2
National Curriculum links: Art & DT
See Details
Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2
National Curriculum links: History, RE & Art
KS2 Design & Technology
Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
Select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities Evaluate
Investigate and analyse a range of existing products
Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work
Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world
Apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
KS2 Art
Pupils should be taught:
About great artists, architects and designers in history
Spring/Summer Science Walk
Join our education officer on a guided walk through our beautiful gardens and protected meadow.
Learn about the plants and animals that call Ushaw home. Gather plant samples which will then be used to create impression tiles which you can take home with you.
Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2
National Curriculum links: Science, Art & PE
See Details
Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2
National Curriculum links: Science, Art & PE
Science
Y1
Identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees identify and describe the basic structure of a variety of common flowering plants, including trees.
Y2
Identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats
Y3
Identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants: roots, stem/trunk, leaves and flowers explore the requirements of plants for life and growth (air, light, water, nutrients from soil, and room to grow) and how they vary from plant to plant
Y4
Explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment
Y5
Describe the differences in the life cycles of a mammal, an amphibian, an insect and a bird.
Y6
Describe how living things are classified into broad groups according to common observable characteristics and based on similarities and differences, including microorganisms, plants and animals give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics.
Art
KS1
To use a range of materials creatively to design and make products to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
KS2
To improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]
PE
Aims: to be physically active for sustained periods of time
Keep the Faith a Secret
Delve into Ushaw’s 450-year history and discover the lengths England’s Catholics went to in order to protect their way of life at a time when being a Catholic became illegal.
Crack the secret codes used to practise faith in secret and uncover gruesome punishments. Interact with real artefacts from the 17th century as we discover what life was like for Catholics. In this PSHE/Citizenship session, we will discuss how a religion became outlawed and decide whether we would risk our lives or try and protect ourselves, and find out whether intolerance really has been banished to the past.
Suitable for Key Stage 2
National Curriculum links: PSHE
and History
See Details
History KS2:
A study of an aspect of history or a site dating from a period beyond 1066 that is significant in the locality.
A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
PSHE Association: Programme of study for PSHE Education,
Core Theme 2. Relationships
R14. to realise the nature and consequences of discrimination, teasing, bullying and aggressive behaviours (including cyber bullying, use of prejudice-based language, ‘trolling’, how to respond and ask for help)
Core Theme 3. Living in the wider world
L1. to research, discuss and debate topical issues, problems and events that are of concern to them and offer their recommendations to appropriate people
L8. to resolve differences by looking at alternatives, seeing and respecting others’ points of view, making decisions and explaining choices.
L11. to appreciate the range of national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom.
L12. to consider the lives of people living in other places, and people with different values and customs.
L17. to explore and critique how the media present information.
It was fun to experience an authentic Victorian classroom.
Amelia, 9
I enjoyed hearing about things they would do in those days, especially the sports.
Maisie, 9
I enjoyed learning the Latin words and their translations.
Fin, 9
We all had a fabulous time
Natasha, 11
I loved every second of it
Kiera, 10
Pugins Pupils
Discover how the Pugins created such a wonderful building.
Starting with a tour of the majestic chapels, we will discover just what makes the buildings so special. We will explore the different areas of the church, and how they are still used today for religious services. Using the incredible work of Pugin as our inspiration, we will create art work in his style using mediums such as printing or stained glass windows.
Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2
National Curriculum links: History, RE & Art
See Details
Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2
National Curriculum links: History, RE & Art
RE
(Taken from Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education in Durham 2020)
KS1: Christianity – introduction to beliefs and practices and their impact. Example of Unit Question – How do Christians celebrate Easter?
KS2: Christianity – beliefs and practices across the denominations and the impact of these for individuals and communities.
History
KS1: significant historical events, people and places in their own locality.
KS2: a study of an aspect of history or a site dating from a period beyond 1066 that is significant in the locality.
Art
KS1:
to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products.
to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination.
to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.
KS2:
to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.
to create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.
to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]
about great artists, architects and designers in history.
Beasts and Beyond
Unlock some of the beastly secrets held deep in the library.
Discover the beasts that are lurking within its pages and the tales of how they came to be there. Join us as we try to work out what the author was describing, before creating our own book of curiosities. Enjoy an introduction to historic illustration as we use printing techniques to bring our creations to life.
Suitable for Key Stages 2 & 3
National Curriculum links: English & Art
See Details
Suitable for Key Stages 2 & 3
National Curriculum links: English & Art
English
appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
give well-structured descriptions, explanations and narratives for different purposes, including for expressing feelings
use spoken language to develop understanding through speculating, hypothesising, imagining and exploring ideas
Y3/4
develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by:
listening to and discussing a wide range of fiction, poetry, plays, non-fiction and reference books or textbooks
reading books that are structured in different ways and reading for a range of purposes
using dictionaries to check the meaning of words that they have read
increasing their familiarity with a wide range of books, including fairy stories, myths and legends, and retelling some of these orally
retrieve and record information from non-fiction
participate in discussion about both books that are read to them and those they can read for themselves, taking turns and listening to what others say.
Y5/6
pupils should be taught to maintain positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by: continuing to read and discuss an increasingly wide range of fiction, poetry, plays, non-fiction and reference books or textbooks
reading books that are structured in different ways and reading for a range of purposes
increasing their familiarity with a wide range of books, including myths, legends and traditional stories, modern fiction, fiction from our literary heritage, and books from other cultures and traditions
Art
KS1:
to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products.
to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination.
to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.
KS2:
to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.
to create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.
to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]
about great artists, architects and designers in history.
Mysteries Abound
Do you have a cunning team of sleuths to help us solve a mystery which has confounded our best detectives?
Join us for a day of hunting clues, solving puzzles and using your logic, reasoning and inference skills to help us finally unearth what happened. Similar to an escape room, clues will be hidden around the house and grounds for children to find in small groups. These clues will require a range of skills from logic and inference to map reading and orienteering. An immersive day of sleuthing culminating with a presentation of their evidence and theories in the theatre.
Suitable for Key Stage 2
National Curriculum links: Maths, English & Geography
See Details
Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2
National Curriculum links: Maths, English & Geography
Maths
solve problems in context using a range of number skills
English
making inferences on the basis of what is being said and done
predicting what might happen on the basis of what has been read so far
participate in discussion about what is read to them, taking turns and listening to what others say
Justifying inferences with evidence
Geography
use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied
use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world
Ushaw wins Historic Houses 2024 Frances Garnham Award for Education
In November 2024, Ushaw won the Historic Houses Frances Garnham Award for Education. The award commemorates the achievements of Frances Garnham, who worked as Director of Policy and Campaigns at Historic Houses until 2015.
See the video below explaining more about the award.
Planning
Your Visit
Please book your session in advance.
Free teacher pre-visit included.
Open Hours
Workshops run from
10am - 2.30pm
Monday - Friday
Prices
Workshops are priced from £5 per child
Booking
To organise your visit,
please contact us
via email at
[email protected]
Plan Your Visit
What’s On at Ushaw
Privacy Policy
Plan Your Visit
Getting Here
What’s On at Ushaw
News
Privacy Policy
Join Our Mailing List
Facebook
Instagram
Threads
X-twitter
Tiktok
Youtube
Linkedin
Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens, Woodland Road, Ushaw Moor, DH7 7DW
Registered Charity Number 527408.
Website hosted by
Krystal
.
Discover
About Ushaw
House & Chapels
Park & Gardens
History
Collections
Faith & Spirituality
What’s On
Events
Exhibitions
Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
Opening Times
Group Visits
School Visits
FAQs
Stay With Us
More
News
Venue Hire
Get Involved
Sponsors & Partners
Recruitment
Sustainability
Tickets
Subscribe to our mailing list
Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
Opening Times
Admission
Group Visits
School Visits
FAQs
Education
& Schools
A range of full-day educational workshops for schools.
Just outside of Durham and conducted by our experienced education officer, our exciting and engaging school workshops give pupils the opportunity to explore our unique history, collections and grounds.
Ushaw wins Sandford Award for Education
The
Sandford Award
is the leading quality mark for heritage sites and is the only form of accreditation in existence in the UK, to provide independent quality assurance through on-site assessment. Recognition is also given to informal learning such as family programmes and self-guided provision.
Workshops
Inspiring Architecture
Get hands on making your own
architectural structures in an inspirational setting
Explore Ushaw’s stunning architecture in a full day hands on workshop where we will be designing and working to briefs celebrating archways and stained glass windows.
Suitable for Key Stage 2
National Curriculum links: Art & DT
See Details
Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2
National Curriculum links: History, RE & Art
KS2 Design & Technology
Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
Select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities Evaluate
Investigate and analyse a range of existing products
Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work
Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world
Apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
KS2 Art
Pupils should be taught:
About great artists, architects and designers in history
Spring/Summer Science Walk
Join our education officer on a guided walk through our beautiful gardens and protected meadow.
Learn about the plants and animals that call Ushaw home. Gather plant samples which will then be used to create impression tiles which you can take home with you.
Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2
National Curriculum links: Science, Art & PE
See Details
Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2
National Curriculum links: Science, Art & PE
Science
Y1
Identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees identify and describe the basic structure of a variety of common flowering plants, including trees.
Y2
Identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats
Y3
Identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants: roots, stem/trunk, leaves and flowers explore the requirements of plants for life and growth (air, light, water, nutrients from soil, and room to grow) and how they vary from plant to plant
Y4
Explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment
Y5
Describe the differences in the life cycles of a mammal, an amphibian, an insect and a bird.
Y6
Describe how living things are classified into broad groups according to common observable characteristics and based on similarities and differences, including microorganisms, plants and animals give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics.
Art
KS1
To use a range of materials creatively to design and make products to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
KS2
To improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]
PE
Aims: to be physically active for sustained periods of time
Keep the Faith a Secret
Delve into Ushaw’s 450-year history and discover the lengths England’s Catholics went to in order to protect their way of life at a time when being a Catholic became illegal.
Crack the secret codes used to practise faith in secret and uncover gruesome punishments. Interact with real artefacts from the 17th century as we discover what life was like for Catholics. In this PSHE/Citizenship session, we will discuss how a religion became outlawed and decide whether we would risk our lives or try and protect ourselves, and find out whether intolerance really has been banished to the past.
Suitable for Key Stage 2
National Curriculum links: PSHE
and History
See Details
History KS2:
A study of an aspect of history or a site dating from a period beyond 1066 that is significant in the locality.
A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
PSHE Association: Programme of study for PSHE Education,
Core Theme 2. Relationships
R14. to realise the nature and consequences of discrimination, teasing, bullying and aggressive behaviours (including cyber bullying, use of prejudice-based language, ‘trolling’, how to respond and ask for help)
Core Theme 3. Living in the wider world
L1. to research, discuss and debate topical issues, problems and events that are of concern to them and offer their recommendations to appropriate people
L8. to resolve differences by looking at alternatives, seeing and respecting others’ points of view, making decisions and explaining choices.
L11. to appreciate the range of national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom.
L12. to consider the lives of people living in other places, and people with different values and customs.
L17. to explore and critique how the media present information.
It was fun to experience an authentic Victorian classroom.
Amelia, 9
I enjoyed hearing about things they would do in those days, especially the sports.
Maisie, 9
I enjoyed learning the Latin words and their translations.
Fin, 9
We all had a fabulous time
Natasha, 11
I loved every second of it
Kiera, 10
Pugins Pupils
Discover how the Pugins created such a wonderful building.
Starting with a tour of the majestic chapels, we will discover just what makes the buildings so special. We will explore the different areas of the church, and how they are still used today for religious services. Using the incredible work of Pugin as our inspiration, we will create art work in his style using mediums such as printing or stained glass windows.
Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2
National Curriculum links: History, RE & Art
See Details
Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2
National Curriculum links: History, RE & Art
RE
(Taken from Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education in Durham 2020)
KS1: Christianity – introduction to beliefs and practices and their impact. Example of Unit Question – How do Christians celebrate Easter?
KS2: Christianity – beliefs and practices across the denominations and the impact of these for individuals and communities.
History
KS1: significant historical events, people and places in their own locality.
KS2: a study of an aspect of history or a site dating from a period beyond 1066 that is significant in the locality.
Art
KS1:
to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products.
to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination.
to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.
KS2:
to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.
to create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.
to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]
about great artists, architects and designers in history.
Beasts and Beyond
Unlock some of the beastly secrets held deep in the library.
Discover the beasts that are lurking within its pages and the tales of how they came to be there. Join us as we try to work out what the author was describing, before creating our own book of curiosities. Enjoy an introduction to historic illustration as we use printing techniques to bring our creations to life.
Suitable for Key Stages 2 & 3
National Curriculum links: English & Art
See Details
Suitable for Key Stages 2 & 3
National Curriculum links: English & Art
English
appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
give well-structured descriptions, explanations and narratives for different purposes, including for expressing feelings
use spoken language to develop understanding through speculating, hypothesising, imagining and exploring ideas
Y3/4
develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by:
listening to and discussing a wide range of fiction, poetry, plays, non-fiction and reference books or textbooks
reading books that are structured in different ways and reading for a range of purposes
using dictionaries to check the meaning of words that they have read
increasing their familiarity with a wide range of books, including fairy stories, myths and legends, and retelling some of these orally
retrieve and record information from non-fiction
participate in discussion about both books that are read to them and those they can read for themselves, taking turns and listening to what others say.
Y5/6
pupils should be taught to maintain positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by: continuing to read and discuss an increasingly wide range of fiction, poetry, plays, non-fiction and reference books or textbooks
reading books that are structured in different ways and reading for a range of purposes
increasing their familiarity with a wide range of books, including myths, legends and traditional stories, modern fiction, fiction from our literary heritage, and books from other cultures and traditions
Art
KS1:
to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products.
to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination.
to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.
KS2:
to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.
to create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.
to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]
about great artists, architects and designers in history.
Mysteries Abound
Do you have a cunning team of sleuths to help us solve a mystery which has confounded our best detectives?
Join us for a day of hunting clues, solving puzzles and using your logic, reasoning and inference skills to help us finally unearth what happened. Similar to an escape room, clues will be hidden around the house and grounds for children to find in small groups. These clues will require a range of skills from logic and inference to map reading and orienteering. An immersive day of sleuthing culminating with a presentation of their evidence and theories in the theatre.
Suitable for Key Stage 2
National Curriculum links: Maths, English & Geography
See Details
Suitable for Key Stage 1 & 2
National Curriculum links: Maths, English & Geography
Maths
solve problems in context using a range of number skills
English
making inferences on the basis of what is being said and done
predicting what might happen on the basis of what has been read so far
participate in discussion about what is read to them, taking turns and listening to what others say
Justifying inferences with evidence
Geography
use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied
use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world
Ushaw wins Historic Houses 2024 Frances Garnham Award for Education
In November 2024, Ushaw won the Historic Houses Frances Garnham Award for Education. The award commemorates the achievements of Frances Garnham, who worked as Director of Policy and Campaigns at Historic Houses until 2015.
See the video below explaining more about the award.
Planning
Your Visit
Please book your session in advance.
Free teacher pre-visit included.
Open Hours
Workshops run from
10am - 2.30pm
Monday - Friday
Prices
Workshops are priced from £5 per child
Booking
To organise your visit,
please contact us
via email at
[email protected]
Plan Your Visit
What’s On at Ushaw
Privacy Policy
Plan Your Visit
Getting Here
What’s On at Ushaw
News
Privacy Policy
Join Our Mailing List
Threads
X-twitter
Tiktok
Youtube
Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens, Woodland Road, Ushaw Moor, DH7 7DW
Registered Charity Number 527408.
Website hosted by
Krystal
.
Discover
About Ushaw
House & Chapels
Park & Gardens
History
Collections
Faith & Spirituality
What’s On
Events
Exhibitions
Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
Opening Times
Group Visits
School Visits
FAQs
Stay With Us
More
News
Venue Hire
Get Involved
Sponsors & Partners
Recruitment
Sustainability
Tickets
Subscribe to our mailing list
Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
Opening Times
Admission
Group Visits
School Visits
FAQs