Information for Schools

Brief Historical Background

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 The Castle was finally withdrawn from active service in 1960.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.

National Curriculum and Resources

Southsea Castle is suitable for a wide range of National Curriculum work.

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.

A broad and balanced approach to the curriculum

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

Booking a Group Visit

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.

Length of Stay and Group Sizes

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).

Payment

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.