GCSE history trip to Norton Priory

On Friday 7 November, the 8th the Year 11 History GCSE group had a trip to Norton Priory as part of their OCR History project visit. They visited this building parts of which have been in existence since 1115. It is the most excavated site in the whole of Europe and has a wealth of artefacts that gives us clues to how it functioned as a building. From 1115 up until 1536 it served as a Monastery and an Abbey until it was closed down under Henry VIII and his reformation. It then became a family estate and was rebuilt from its Tudor origins to become a Georgian Mansion. It was sold in the 1920's before falling into disrepair.

The building is now run by the National Trust, and it was magnificent to see the students gaining a real insight into how people used to live their lives. From the excavated grounds to the self-contained museum the students were able to see and feel how life at this building had moulded and changed lives. There was a real uplift in the Cultural Capital of the students and gave them an alternative look at the past. The students were fantastic Ambassadors for the school, and I like forward to make further trips with other year groups moving forward.