A local North East project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund,supported by English Heritage and involving Monkseaton Middle School, Kenton School and Bedlingtonshire community High School working alongside ours, together with the Newcastle University Robinson Library, provided a fantastic opportunity for all of Year 8 to show their creative sides! The Civil War project focussed on original tracts, stored in the Special Collections in the Philip Robinson Library, that tell the story of the siege of Tynemouth Castle during the English Civil War. Working alongside academics, all of Year 8 were able to use these resources to develop their own creative ideas about events through creative writing and drama activities held in school.
Thirty students were then chosen to attend a day working at Newcastle University along side the 'Timebandit' re-enactors to create 'a play in a day'! Which they did! This was later performed at Tynemouth Priory in front of other schools, parents and members of the public as the culmination of a day of celebration of the area's involvement in the Civil War. During the day our students also took part in science experiments, history trails and battle drills, along with a chance to learn about and taste food of the time. We also had our own media team who reported live on the events of the day. The students did a fantastic job and their confidence and enthusiasm made us all very proud!