World Heritage Site Education Project
English Heritage and Wessex Archaeology have teamed up to develop a new education project on the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site, aimed at primary schools in Wiltshire. The objective is to learn about prehistoric monuments, life in the Bronze Age and World Heritage Sites across the globe. Another objective is to develop a sense of ownership and responsibility. The project covers the following curriculum subjects: local study, history, geography, citizenship and literacy.
The project started in April 2004, and included work in class with the teacher, Keren Hopwood, Margaret Bunyard, of Wessex Archaeology and Isabelle Bedu, the Stonehenge World Heritage Site Coordinator. To prepare the children, they did activities such as games involving learning about archaeology.
The highlight of the project was a visit to Stonehenge itself. The class was met by a member of Wessex Archaeology, dressed as a Bronze Age man.
The children were shown the main features of the landscape, and dressed as Bronze Age children on a pilgrimage to Stonehenge. They then tested their skill sketching the monument and the surrounding area. They even got the chance to experience a Stone Age Picnic, which they cooked themselves.
In the second part of the day, they changed from Bronze Age children to UNESCO inspectors! They learned about how important Stonehenge is as a monument, and made recommendations to improve the Stonehenge experience. All involved thought the day was a great success.
As part of the project, the children completed various activities designed to improve their understanding of the site. These covered such wide ranging topics as literacy, maths, history, geography and art. The work that the children did was displayed in local museums and libraries. Activities included competitions to design a new visitor’s centre, and making prehistoric artefacts.
It is proposed to extend this project to other primary schools in Wiltshire in future years, and to develop it for Avebury, the largest prehistoric stone circle in Europe. Guidance and training for teachers will also be provided to use prehistory and World Heritage Sites in school.
Please go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge for further details about Stonehenge or if you are planning a visit.
Contacts
Isabelle Bedu, Stonehenge World Heritage Site Coordinator
Tel: 01722 343848 - isabelle.bedu@english-heritage.org.uk
Margaret Bunyard, Wessex Archaeology Education Manager
Tel: 01722 343414 - m.bunyard@wessexarch.co.uk
Harriet Attwood, Regional Education Officer, English Heritage
Tel: 0117 9750729 - Harriet.Attwood@english-heritage.org.uk
Keren Hopwood, Amesbury Church of England Junior School
Tel: 01980 623 009
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