On a wonderfully sunny June Monday, the History Department took the Year 7 students to Dover Castle. This trip was arranged to compliment and consolidate the students learning about Roman and Medieval England. The students (and school bus drivers) were shown around the site by Battle Abbey School’s very own expert guide, Mr Trimby. The students explored the topography of the site and saw how the castle has been used over the last 1000 years to defend England. They were also shown how the castle developed from an Iron Age fort into a fortress that was used to protect Britain from Nazi Tyranny in WW2. Mr Trimby then set the students the challenge of planning how they would have attacked the castle, using medieval weapons and technology! After a packed lunch, under the shade of a tree and in the shadow of the Roman lighthouse, we visited the Avranches tower and then ascended the stairs into the mighty keep that was constructed by Henry II in the 12th Century. A tour inside showed what life was like in a medieval castle, it also revealed to the students how kings and guests were treated when they visited this mighty military installation. This was a great day out and a wonderful opportunity for our learners to understand why Dover Castle has rightly been called “The keys to all England” Thank you to Mr Trimby for organising the trip and Mrs Carey, Mr Neve and Miss Orrock for supporting.
