We are incredibly lucky to have such remarkable places of historical interest right on our doorstep and yesterday our Year 6 pupils made the most of that opportunity with a visit to the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Wrapped up warm, the children met at the ferry and even squeezed in a quick stop at the sundial to learn how it worked before beginning their journey across the harbour. Despite arriving ten minutes before the Dockyard opened and in very chilly weather Year 6 were superb, keeping themselves entertained and showing maturity and patience throughout.
Once inside, the children began a day packed with hands-on learning and historical discovery. They took part in three engaging activities:
- Decoding Identity Workshop
- ‘Dive into the Mary Rose’ Experience (including the immersive 4D theatre!)
- Self-guided tour of the museum’s many treasures
The children’s engagement, curiosity and respect shone all day. They asked thoughtful questions, listened closely to the museum experts and were thoroughly absorbed by the exhibits. A particular highlight was meeting the specialist demonstrating the on-board surgeon’s tools.
They were amazed to learn that over 19,000 artefacts were recovered from the wreck, all carefully preserved and displayed. Some pupils even had the chance to handle a brick over 300 years old.
The workshops were a real hit. Year 6 learned how the Mary Rose was discovered after centuries beneath the Solent and just how long and painstaking the excavation process was. The 4D experience brought this history vividly to life, complete with real bubbles which was a definite crowd-pleaser.
Later, pupils explored the stories of the crew: where they came from, how they lived and what clues historians used, from dental records to isotopes, to uncover their identities. Working in groups, Year 6 pieced together the lives of individual crew members, discovering the wide range of nationalities, backgrounds and experiences represented on board.
The day ended with an engineering challenge: designing a pulley hoist strong enough to lift a model boat from the seabed. This helped pupils appreciate the incredible engineering required to raise the Mary Rose safely to the surface. It was a day full of learning, giving Year 6 a richer understanding of Henry VIII, Tudor life and the extraordinary story of his beloved ship.
A huge thank you to all the adults who made this visit possible, especially those who supported on the day. Your time, enthusiasm and willingness to brave the cold ensured our pupils enjoyed the experience, one we could only have because of the rich heritage we are so fortunate to have on our doorstep.
