The National Archives Education Service

The National Archives Education Service The National Archives Education Service page is aimed at teachers and educators. See website for queries & bookings.

Providing free
document based resources & taught sessions from KS1 up to A level. The Education Service provides free online resources and taught sessions, supporting the National Curriculum for history from key stage 1 up to A-level. Visit our website to access the full range of our resources, from Domesday to Britain in the 1960s, and find out about more about our schools programme, including n

ew professional development opportunities for teachers. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/

All taught sessions and online resources are based around an enquiry; students investigate the past through original documents, to reach their own conclusions based on the evidence. They work with documents in their raw state from a letter penned by Catherine Howard confessing her love for Thomas Culpepper, to a secret Foreign Office memo analysing Khrushchev's attitude to Berlin in 1961. This approach encourages students to ask questions, think critically and reflect on the way in which historians use evidence to find out about the past.

Would your school like to host a visit from a WW1 soldier this Autumn term? Our soldier, from the Post Office Rifles, i...
03/06/2026

Would your school like to host a visit from a WW1 soldier this Autumn term? Our soldier, from the Post Office Rifles, is travelling the length and breadth of the UK to bring stories from the trenches into your classroom!

During this FREE session students spend time with a soldier (played by an historical actor) as he talks about his involvement in WW1 and the impact on his loved ones back at home.

Don’t miss the opportunity to book this unique actor-led workshop as he travels to your area!

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sessions/posted-to-the-front/

This session supports schools studying Challenges to Britain and the wider world, 1901 to the present day.
Connections to the curriculum: History

The new sessions and resources are supported by the National Archives Trust and are made possible through the generosity of the Post Office Remembrance Fellowship

Just under a month until we roll out the red carpet for Lady Jane Grey! Give your class the unique opportunity to meet h...
02/06/2026

Just under a month until we roll out the red carpet for Lady Jane Grey!

Give your class the unique opportunity to meet her online in person with our FREE actor-led session. Find out how she came to be Queen for only nine days and what she thought about the fight for the throne.

Booking fast, but slots still available (KS 3-5). Running 29 June to 3 July

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sessions/nine-days-queen/

One week to go!There is still time to join us on Monday June 8th for our next Live Broadcast, History Mysteries: Medieva...
01/06/2026

One week to go!

There is still time to join us on Monday June 8th for our next Live Broadcast, History Mysteries: Medieval Castles (KS3)

During this FREE session we link in to your classroom direct from The National Archives as we explore the form and function of Norman Castles.

Get involved! Submit questions from your class, to be answered during the event:

Booking now: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sessions/history-mysteries-medieval-castles/

🚨 We still have some summer term slots available for schools in the North East of England! 🚨FREE workshops for to on...
22/05/2026

🚨 We still have some summer term slots available for schools in the North East of England! 🚨

FREE workshops for to onsite at The Discovery Museum (Newcastle-upon-Tyne), in-school or online. Book now!

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/summer-2026-north-east-schools-workshops-4805604

These workshops are supported by The National Archives Trust and is made possible through the generosity of Joanna & Graham Barker, the Barbour Foundation, Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg, the Bisset Trust, the Schroder Charity Trust and the Hadrian Trust.

‘Bringing the Voices of the Victorian Poor to the Classroom’On Tuesday 30th June we will be supporting a FREE CPD day ba...
20/05/2026

‘Bringing the Voices of the Victorian Poor to the Classroom’

On Tuesday 30th June we will be supporting a FREE CPD day based on our Voices of the Victorian poor project. This event is designed to support primary and secondary teachers interested in using these letters to develop lessons and historical enquiries on 19th century topics.

Featuring talks by Professor Steven King (Nottingham Trent University) and Dr Paul Carter (The National Archives) the day will also include workshops using archival images and transcripts of letters not yet published on the website.

Register your interest by Monday 1st June to join us for this event at Nottingham Trent University, City Campus.

https://www.tinyurl.com/vicpoorcpdday

Join us on June 8th for our next LIVE Broadcast, History Mysteries: Medieval Castles (KS3). During this session we li...
19/05/2026

Join us on June 8th for our next LIVE Broadcast, History Mysteries: Medieval Castles (KS3).

During this session we link in to your classroom direct from The National Archives as we explore the form and function of Norman Castles.

In partnership with English Heritage, we’ll take a look at two site studies, Restormel Castle in Cornwall and Pickering Castle in Yorkshire, to explore the design, usage and communities around each castle as an inspiration for looking a castle sites in your local area.

Get involved! Submit questions from your class, to be answered during the event:

Book here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sessions/history-mysteries-medieval-castles/

Our very own Andrew Payne, Head of Education and Outreach, here at The National Archives will be delivering a session wi...
18/05/2026

Our very own Andrew Payne, Head of Education and Outreach, here at The National Archives will be delivering a session with Ben Walsh of the Windsor Academy Trust titled 'Better History – Using AI to help students develop more effective thinking about documents' at the Schools History Project's summer conference.

Book now to secure your place for this superb programme taking place at Leeds Trinity University from July 10-12 2026.

https://www.schoolshistoryproject.co.uk/summerconf/

This Autumn we are bringing stories from The National Archives into your classroom! During this FREE session delivered ...
15/05/2026

This Autumn we are bringing stories from The National Archives into your classroom!

During this FREE session delivered onsite in your school, students spend time with a soldier from the Post Office Rifles (played by an historical actor) as he talks about his involvement in First World War and the impact on his loved ones back at home.

Don’t miss the opportunity to book this unique actor-led workshop as he travels to your area!

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sessions/posted-to-the-front/

This session supports schools studying Challenges to Britain and the wider world, 1901 to the present day.
Connections to the curriculum: History

The new sessions and resources are supported by the National Archives Trust and are made possible through the generosity of the Post Office Remembrance Fellowship

Address

The National Archives, Kew
Richmond
TW94DU

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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