Key Stage 1

Princess Catherine of Aragon Needs Your Help!

90 mins/£130 per session

One of Fulham Palace’s most famous residents needs the help of apothecary apprentices to discover how to cure her illness. In 1506, Catherine and her household were sent to live at Fulham Palace, believing the country air would be beneficial for her health. King Henry VII sent letters every day to ask about her health.

Examining the roles of apothecaries, physicians and surgeons, pupils will uncover fascinating and amusing facts about medicine. How did Tudors cure headaches? What illness was treated by wearing the skin of a donkey? What were the Four Humours? A trip to the Palace vinery is a chance to investigate the herbs and cures used to help Catherine get better.

We explore the unknown story of Henry VIII’s first wife and the importance of Fulham Palace as an estate. Pupils will think critically, weigh evidence and develop new perspectives.

National Curriculum Links:

• Study the lives of significant individuals who have contributed to national achievements.
• Understand the complexity of the Tudor monarchy through the life of Catherine of Aragon.

Bishop, butler, mistress and maid

90 mins/ £130 per session

How did the Victorians live? This immersive workshop transports pupils to the Victorian period, where they live the life of children at the Palace- both rich and poor. The session takes place in Victorian buildings, including the stunning chapel. Pupils explore the differences and similarities of life between the classes by handling historical objects, taking on the role of servants and dressing in appropriate costumes. They are introduced to Bishop Tait and his large family, then experience the 1867 opening of the chapel at Fulham Palace.

National Curriculum links:

• Identify similarities and differences between the Victorian rich and poor and life in modern times
• Gain historical perspective by studying social history

Do you have what it takes to become an epic ecologist?

90 mins/ £130 per session

Come and explore the historic Fulham Palace grounds in this outdoor session! Through interactive activities, pupils will train to become young ecologists before heading out into the garden to observe, identify and record the wildlife here. This hands-on session aims to foster a stronger sense of environmental awareness whilst building on scientific skills. Teachers can choose from three different topics to focus on: animal classification, life cycles or habitats.

Curriculum links:

• Observe closely, using simple equipment.
• Record findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables.
• Use results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions.

Is a tree a plant?

90 mins/ £130 per session

Explore exiting and unique botanical specimens in the historical garden of Fulham Palace. Pupils learn about the plants of Fulham Palace and their history, such as rare specimens imported by Bishop Henry Compton, and a 500-year-old tree which Elizabeth I would have seen. Pupils engage in a variety of tests, such as identifying plants from botanic drawings, the parts of a plant, and finding and identifying different trees on the Palace grounds. Finally, they meet George London, the head gardener during the reign of Charles II, to be tested for a gardening position at Fulham Palace. To complete their time in the Palace grounds, they make and take home their own herbarium.

National Curriculum Links:

• 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.

Let’s play: toys of the 20th century

90 mins/ £130 per session

How have toys changed through the 20th century? What everyday materials are they made from? Interactive and stimulating activities allow pupils to learn about the science of materials by handling authentic and replica 20th-century toys. Pupils discover toys played with by children during the early, mid and late 20th century.

By sorting toys onto a timeline, and creating imaginary toys, pupils explore the properties of materials such as wood and why these were used at the time. They also touch a real Victorian porcelain doll, and produce their own ‘make do and mend’ peg dolls, inspired by the Fisher family who lived in the Palace during World War II. Finally, with a focus on recycling, they handle modern toys made from reused waste plastic.

National Curriculum Links:

History

• Changes within living memory

Science

• Distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
• Identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock
• Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
• Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials based on their simple physical properties.

Discover the Palace’s historic garden with a free maths trail.

• Download the trail. 
• Download the guidelines for teachers.

This is a box containing authentic and replica Victorian objects for children to handle. It enables pupils to imagine and experience preparing for Victorian tea parties to entertain the thousands of visitors who arrived regularly at the Palace.

This resource:

• fully supports the National Curriculum’s objectives to identify similarities and differences in Victorian social diversity by exploring relationships between people living at Fulham Palace
• provides three activities ensuring an in-depth study of Victorian life at Fulham Palace.
• Enables pupils to actively engage with authentic Victorian artefacts to generate observation, curiosity and to connect with the reality of history
• contains full teacher information notes on the objects and activities

Suitable for: KS1 & KS2
Price: £25.00.
Book now: complete the online form