ALTHOUGH the Tudor period is an important part of British history, youngsters learning about the era at school sometimes need to be a little more engaged.

That is where Tudor House in Worcester comes in as it hosts a number of school activity days based on the theme of life in Tudor times.

The timber-beamed building in Friar Street lends itself perfectly to the school learning days, which have attracted, over the past five years, more than 2,400 schoolchildren to experience life in that period of time.

The Tudors are a key part of the primary national curriculum, and the activity days are a popular way of developing and extending the children’s studies in school.

Pupils follow a circus of lively hands-on activities where they can learn all about Tudor costume, weaving, pastimes, games and building.

Margaret Panter, education coordinator and former teacher, said the day, which is aimed at year four pupils aged between nine and 10, brought history to life.

She said: “Most of the schools in Worcester have visited us, making the most of history on their doorstep.

But we also have children coming from Ludlow, Ross-on-Wye and even Bristol.

“This period of time is an important part of their learning and this day just enhances and extends their studies at school.

“So every child who visits will dress in costume, get to weave and also play Tudor games, which really gets them thinking.

Teachers like the days as there are a lot of skills that the children get hands-on experience of and it just enhances their learning.”

Anna Smith, year four teacher at St Barnabas CE Primary School in Green Lane, Worcester, said they had been visiting the house since the activity days began, and the children gained a lot from being out of the classroom.

She said: “It is a local resource that is so good for the pupils at our school. The children just love it and they learn so much more.

“It’s a hands-on experience and it does bring history alive. The Tudor times were so exciting, with Henry VIII and his six wives, divorce, the Church of England being formed and Parliament becoming stronger.

There is so much about Tudor lives that is different to ours and it’s just a great part of history for them to learn about and also enjoy.

“The Tudor House is a wonderful place to come and learn. It just captures their imagination and it aids their learning. The people here who teach them are just great at making it a bit more real for them, and the fact that they play the games, do the weaving and get to do things themselves means they learn so much quicker.”

A group of volunteers known as the Worcester Heritage and Amenity Trust keeps the building going with its displays of local history, crafts and culture.

Glo Pringle, historical interpreter who volunteers at Tudor House, said: “The Tudor times were so important. It was the end of knights and castles, the origins of Parliament and democracy and the New World was being discovered, so it was the introduction of gold and chocolate. The way we teach helps them to remember, which is the main reason we are here.”

But demand for the days from schools far outstrips supply and the trust has a number of schools on a waiting list which want to attend.

Currently, it runs one activity day a week during term time, but it is looking to have two a week, running between 10am and 1pm.

Mrs Panter said: “If we could recruit more people who either have teaching skills or who simply just enjoy working with children then we could put on that extra day a week, though there would be no need to commit to every week.

“We would love to get a few more volunteers involved so we can open that extra day a week.

“It is just £2.75 per child, which is very reasonable, and then we also get children visiting again with their parents and grandparents to teach them and show them what they have learned.

“It just shows how well these days work as they have enjoyed the experience and have remembered the facts too.”

Anyone interested in joining the team at Tudor House can call Mrs Panter on 01905 426402 or e-mail manager@tudorhouse.org.uk.