Southsea Castle was built between 1544 and 1545 by Henry VIII as part of a system to defend the south coast against a possible French invasion and was built to defend the approaches to Portsmouth Harbour and the Royal Dockyard. The Castle was then progressively developed over 400 years to adapt to new weapons and new methods of warfare. In the 1860's, massive new gun batteries were constructed of earth on either side of the old Castle to increase its firepower. The Castle was finally withdrawn from active service in 1960.

Most of the Castle as seen today is 19th century but there are several surviving Tudor sections and features. The most exciting 19th century addition is an under-ground tunnel (Counterscarp gallery) around the moat. A range of cannons on display shows the development of artillery during the active period of the Castle's history. The displays in the Keep provide a brief introduction to the military history of Southsea Castle and the history of the defences of Portsmouth. There are sections on the Tudor period (Henry VIII), including a reconstruction of a Tudor gunport scene, eighteenth century and the Victorian period. An audio-visual show (in English) on the Castle's history is available in the western Galleries.

The amazing 'Time Tunnel' takes you through the Castle's long history in dramatic fashion. An introductory scene with Henry VIII is followed by soldiers quarters on the day after the Mary Rose sank in 1545; a Civil War Scene; an 18th Century domestic setting when the Castle was set alight and exploded in 1759 and finally a prison and condemned cell of the 19th Century when the Castle was used as a Military Prison!

Warning: Southsea Castle is an ancient monument, because of this some areas are paved with cobbles and uneven, and some steps are worn with age. Please take particular care with the supervision of your party as the behaviour of the pupils whilst in the Castle is the responsibility of the teacher. In the interests of safety children must not climb on guns or the walls, and should walk at all times.

Southsea Castle is suitable for a wide range of National Curriculum work and a Resource Pack for KS1 and 2 is available for loan.

History
K52 SU2 - Life in Tudor Times
KS2 SU5 - Local HIstory
KS3 SU5 - The Making of the United Kingdom 1500-1750

Mathematics
Measurement at KS 2 & 3

As part of the National Curriculum Study: 'Life in Tudor Times' we can offer your group a special Tudor Activity morning or afternoon during our "Tudor Activities Week". These handling sessions are chargeable and available during the Summer term and will last approximately two hours.

A teachers' resource pack is available (UK schools only) to prepare for a visit. The resource pack is usually loaned 3/4 weeks prior to the visit and returned on the day of the visit. Other arrangements, however, can be made. A charge is made for postage and insurance if the teacher cannot collect the pack in person from the City Museum and Records Office.

For maths work a measuring kit is available for use by school groups. This contains a 30-metre/100 ft. tape measure, inclinometers and callipers. It is suitable for measuring the height of the walls, diameter of cannon balls and the bore of cannons.

English
Texts to be used as part of Literacy Hour covering range of genre, Fictional - Factual. How and why the castle was built. Henry's visit to Portsmouth. The sinking of the Mary Rose. Text around each part of the Time Tunnel.

PSE
Fear. Frightened.

Geography
Southsea Castle and the locality. Looking at different maps.

Technology
To answer the question - "why aren't any houses built near Southsea Castle?" Aim and Fire!! Plan and construct an invention that will fire a missile. Devise a fair test e.g. same size missile or same resources. Design, make, test, evaluate.

Mathematics
Measuring. Using a tape measure and trundel wheel. Using a cinometer to calculate the height. Right angles and any others. Shapes in the Castle - 2D particularly circles. Shapes in the Castle - 3D. Number patterns particularly square numbers.

History
Interpretations of History using.
· the guide book
· text from the Time Tunnel
· pictorial information
Tudor History and Portsmouth. Fortifications. Tudor Life. Plays and Presentations. Southsea Castle Tudor Week. Chronology - important dates in the life of Southsea Castle (The Time Tunnel)

Art
Looking at shape. Observational drawing. Artefacts. Colour matching - multi media, wax crayons, oil pastels, paints, pencils and biros. Looking at texture. Artists representations painted around the same time as the tableaux in the Time Tunnel. THE COWDRAY PRINT

Teacher's Resource Packs are available FREE OF CHARGE to any school booking a visit to the City Museum and Records Office. Packs may be borrowed for half a term and can be picked up from The City Museum & Records Office just prior to the beginning of the half term for which it is required. Borrowers will be advised of the dates for collection and return when the pack reservation is confirmed. For schools unable to pick up their packs in person we offer a postal service. Schools will be invoiced for postage and insurance costs when the pack is dispatched.

This Resource Pack has been collated to aid teachers planning activities across the curriculum. The changes in curriculum coverage brought about by the introduction of the Literacy and Numeracy hours has resulted in less time being available to spend on non-core subjects. By visiting Southsea Castle and using the suggestions offered in the Teacher's Resource Pack a broad and balanced curriculum can be achieved through just one stimulating excursion. To see how this can be done look overleaf to find the curriculum web and a full list of contents.

2 Booklets containing facts and suggestions for use in the classroom.

Curriculum Booklet - Ideas for worksheets and activities with special reference to Maths and Art.
Text Booklet - Castle facts, chronology of change and the script from the Time Tunnel telling stories from the Castle's past.

THE COWDRAY PRINT
A reproduction of a 16th century wall painting depicting Portsmouth circa 1545.
4 Enlarged, laminated sections of the Cowdray Print.
Picture Puzzle - using images from the Cowdray Print

MAPS, PHOTOGRAPHS, PICTURES AND GUIDES
The Time Tunnel - photographs of scenes from the Time Tunnel
Evidence of Change - photograph of front wall of Keep showing archaeological evidence of change.
Prints & Drawings - artists impressions of the Castle 1585 - 1716
Shape Sheets - photographs of 2D and 3D shapes around the Castle.
Maps - The development of Portsmouth & Southsea 1585 -1850
Guide Books - 6 copies of the Pitkin Guide to Southsea Castle

For further information please contact us or

Tel: +44 (0)23 9282 7261
Fax: +44 (0)23 9287 5276

To reserve a Teacher's Resource Pack, write to us
Or you can reserve a pack now on-line.

For all enquiries, resource pack requests, Tudor Activities and group visits please telephone Visitor Services direct line (023) 9229 6905. (An answering machine is available to leave a message at any time of day when staff are not in the office) or you can book now on-line.

The typical visit time by a group is 1 - 1½ hours. The recommended maximum number arriving at any one time should not exceed 60 pupils. Lunch facilities are not available on site. A teacher/pupil ratio of at least 1:12 is essential. (When school groups are in the museum, the behaviour of the children or students is the responsibility of the teacher in charge).

No admission charge is made for UK schools booked in advance. Payment for other groups is made on the day of your visit. Cheques payable to 'Portsmouth City Council', Credit cards: MasterCard or Visa.