ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS This booklet contains information for schools that are booked on an educational visit to Gainsborough Old Hall. AWARD WINNING PROGRAMME Our education programme is highly regarded by schools within Lincolnshire and beyond, and we are honoured to have received the Sandford Award for Heritage Education. Our programme is designed to meet the requirements of the new National Curriculum and schools are encouraged to treat their visit as part of a wider project. RISK ASSESSMENT Teachers are welcome to visit the Old Hall free of charge prior to the visit as part of their Risk Assessment planning. Please note that schools are responsible for their own Risk Assessments. WHERE IS GAINSBOROUGH OLD HALL? The Old Hall is situated in the centre of Gainsborough, which is in the north west of Lincolnshire. The Old Hall is signposted from the outskirts of town by brown tourist signs. ACCESS AND SPECIAL NEEDS Wheelchair access is available to the whole of the ground floor. We can offer alternative activities to groups or individuals unable to access the first floor. Please let us know in advance if this is the case as this enables us to tailor our education service appropriately. We have fully accessible toilets. PHOTOGRAPHY Members of the public are permitted to take photographs throughout the building, with prior permission. Please be aware of the Data Protection Act and safeguard the members of your party.
A CHECKLIST FOR YOUR VISIT PLEASE READ CAREFULLY ARRIVAL TIME The education programme works to a very tight schedule and late arrival will affect the content of your tour. If on the day of your visit it becomes evident that you will be late please contact the Old Hall IMMEDIATELY. COACH PARKING See separate sheet for information. SUPERVISION There should be one adult to every six children. Teachers are responsible for their pupils at all times and MUST stay with their group. There must be a maximum of 60 pupils per visit. EVACUATION PLEASE ENSURE THAT EVERY ADULT IN YOUR PARTY HAS A COPY OF THE EVACUATION PROCEDURE CONTAINED IN THIS PACK. WARM CLOTHING The Old Hall is extremely cold during the winter months and remains cool during the summer. Please ensure that children come warmly dressed. During the winter months we recommend hats, gloves and a scarf. LUNCH The morning session is long. Please ensure that pupils have breakfast before their visit. Packed lunches may be eaten in the heated schoolroom. Seating pads are available for the pupils to sit on. A dust pan, brush and bin bag will be provided for you to clear up after lunch. You are also welcome to picnic in the grounds. VALUABLES Please leave valuables at home. We cannot take responsibility for valuables brought on school visits. AFTERNOON WORK SESSIONS The Old Hall is open to the public. If you plan an afternoon work session please respect the other visitors and keep the children under close supervision. See the attached email for the Gainsborough Old Hall Quiz. You are also welcome to use your own worksheets. CANCELLATIONS If you need to cancel your booking please let us know as soon as possible. Groups cancelling with less than 4 week s notice will be charged the full cost of the visit.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE 10am School arrives, 1 member of school staff to check in at Reception with pupil numbers and arrange payment for day. Rest of group shown are into ground floor west wing education area. Lunch boxes and work packs can be left until required. The group has the chance to visit cloakrooms. 10.10 Introduction to Hall and welcome from Costumed Guides, brief history of Hall with reference to Henry's visit. 10.30 Group takes on the role of a noble household. Parts are chosen for reenactment of King Henry's Banquet which will be the climax of the visit. Teachers may like to participate in the organisation of this with suggestions of likely children for King Henry, Queen Katherine, Lord Thomas Burgh (owner of the Hall) and his wife Lady Agnes Tyrwhitt. All children are encouraged to participate in this; other roles will include Food Servers, Jugglers, Dancers, Musicians, Guards, Soldiers and Honoured Guests as pupil numbers permit. 10.45 Guided tour of the Hall with particular emphasis on the work done by servants in the historic medieval kitchen, discussions on crime and punishment during Henry's reign and the power he wielded. A visit to the family apartments provides chances to try royal Tudor past-times and games. The tour culminates in the Tower where Henry and Katherine Howard were housed during their visit. 11.45 Return to Great Hall, final preparation for banquet role play; learn court manners and group discusses the hierarchy and procedures. 12.00 Feast Begins. 12.25 Final round up of the morning, any questions, return any borrowed outfits to store. 12.30 Thanks to pupils and staff for co-operation, lunch in west wing school area, or picnic in grounds if weather permits. The afternoon is not guide led, but a typical group will:- 1pm Split into small adult led groups, ideal ratio of 1 helper to 6 children. The groups will explore the Hall, perhaps with the aid of the Old Hall quiz sheet, purchase souvenirs in the gift shop, re-visit areas used in the morning and do more involved work / make notes for back at school. Small groups may wish to visit the Tower viewing platform. 2.30 Depart Gainsborough Old Hall and return to school.
GAINSBOROUGH OLD HALL EVACUATION PROCEDURES PLEASE READ CAREFULLY In the case of an emergency an alarm will sound. During a guided tour or re-enactment your guide will direct the children out of the building. If you are working in the Hall unaccompanied by a guide we ask for your cooperation in evacuating the children within your group. When you are walking around the Hall, please look for the emergency exit signs. They are green with white lettering on them. The assembly point is on the grass opposite the library. Please remember: 1. Leave the building immediately upon hearing the alarm. 2. Do not stop to pick up any belongings. 3. Do not re-enter the Old Hall until told to do so by a member of the Old Hall staff. Please carry this information with you at all times during your visit Thank you.
IMPORTANT NOTICE Please pass this on to your Coach Operator Dear Sir / Madam School Visits In order to avoid accidents we would like to point out that the coach company you will be travelling with needs to know the following:- Please advise coach drivers to enter Cobden Street via Bridge Street. Please ensure that coaches then drive past the front of the Old Hall and into Parnell Street, then left onto Gladstone Street where they will see a coach dropping off stop. This will prevent the children having to cross the road. 1. The coach driver and the school have responsibility for the safety of the children when alighting from the coach. 2. Parking of coaches is not permitted near the Old Hall. A FREE parking space is available at Gainsborough Leisure Centre postcode DN21 1EP. There is no requirement to book a space in advance, simply arrive and park. It is necessary to make these points to your coach driver to ensure the safety of your children. Yours sincerely The Site Co-ordinator.