Year 7 trip to Mountfitchet Castle
On Monday 11th and Thursday 14th May, our Year 7 pupils stepped back in time during an immersive history visit to Mountfitchet Castle in Stansted, Essex. As a reconstructed Norman Motte and Bailey Castle and village built on its original historic site, Mountfitchet provided the perfect backdrop for our young historians to bring their classroom learning to life. Throughout the days, pupils were given the unique opportunity to fully experience the authentic sights, sounds and smells of life within an eleventh-century community.
The visit was carefully designed to enhance the pupils' understanding of several key components of the History National Curriculum. By exploring the various reconstructed buildings and interacting with the historically accurate surroundings, they gained a deeper insight into William the Conqueror’s England, the impressive feats of Medieval engineering, and the strict realities of Crime and Punishment in the Middle Ages. Adding to the authenticity of the experience were the various siege weapons on display and an array of animals roaming freely around the grounds, including deer, peacocks, goats, chickens and turkeys, which gave everyone a true sense of a bustling medieval village.
Despite encountering some wet weather, the rain did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the group. Our Year 7 pupils had a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable experience, which successfully reinforced their understanding of castle life and Norman settlement during the Middle Ages. The school is incredibly proud of how the pupils engaged with the history, and we are confident that the hands on knowledge they gained will greatly benefit their ongoing studies.
