The History Squad is a professional historical interpretation company that injects energy into the presentation of history in schools.

We deliver exciting workshops, assemblies and guided castle tours to hundreds of schools across and cover a wide range of topics from the Egyptians to the Second World War making us a great choice for all Key Stages.

Using compelling storytelling, hands-on activities and astounding weaponry displays, we breathe life into history, making it fun for all those involved.

Building A Castle

This unique workshop is powerfully educational and utterly entertaining. The first phase of the workshop consists of building a scale model of a Motte and Bailey castle followed then by the construction of Rochester Castle keep and walls. The workshop looks at the development of castles, showing youngsters how castles were built and what the different areas were for etc. Within the workshop, as well as building the model, we can take a look at the attack and defence of the castle as well as day-to-day workings.

I also come along in medieval costume and bring a number of artefacts to support the workshop and can also include an archery demonstration if required. This is a brilliant alternative to site visits.

What you should know:

This workshop works best with smaller groups of 20-30. In order to assemble the models we need at least four tables together in the centre of a room with enough room for the children to gather around. Sessions are flexible; the minimum duration of a single workshop is around 1 hour and the maximum duration is half a day, so sessions can be tailored to suit your timetable and class numbers. We can also deliver the Castle-build plus another topic workshop in one day if required to benefit maximum number of pupils (e.g. Castle Build & Romans).

The weapons and equipment are heavy and can be dangerous, and can therefore only be handled if the students are orderly and there is room to do so.

If an archery demonstration is required we need at least 75 metres of flat grassland to be able to shoot the longbow.
Our risk assessment, liability insurance cover and DBS certificate are available on request.