UK schools
With a rich tradition of Christian worship and over a thousand years of history, pupils will be inspired by a visit to Westminster Abbey. The Education Department offers a varied programme of events throughout the year designed to enhance the learning of pupils of all ages.
Based in the brand-new Education Centre, opened in May 2010, schools have access to an inspiring building at the heart of our nation. With so many possibilities for learning, the education team can help teachers get the best out of the visit.
During term time, the Education Department puts on a programme of themed events each week. Schools who wish to have a more general guided tour are welcome to visit on Mondays and Fridays when our team of guides will be on hand.
Schools are warmly welcomed to visit the Abbey Museum, located in the Cloisters.
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7654 4965 (We are often with school groups during the day so it is better to contact us by email)
Email: Education department
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Special Offers
Keep an eye on this section of the website for future special offers.
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Spring Term Special Events
Details regarding the Spring term 2014 programme will be published later in the year.
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Summer Term Special Events
16th – 18th April 2013 - FULLY BOOKED
Light and Colour
Westminster Abbey has some amazingly colourful decorations, from the newly restored Cosmati Pavement, to the two stunning rose windows. Pupils will learn about the history and symbolism in the stained glass windows and how they are made. We will also think about the significance of light for Christians. Pupils will make their own beautiful window decoration to take home.Max 30 pupils per session
10.00-12.00 or 12.45-14.45
£4.00 per pupil - suitable for KS 2
23rd – 25th April 2013 - FULLY BOOKED
Symbols of Worship
Westminster Abbey is first and foremost a place of worship which uses the rich tradition of Christian symbolism developed over many centuries. Students will explore the Abbey considering some of the key symbolic objects, actions, words and images used here. The sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion will be considered in depth, and pupils will have the opportunity to visit the Shrine of Edward the Confessor, not normally open to the public.Max 30 pupils per session
10.30-12.00 or 13.00-14.30
KS 1-2 £3.50 KS 3-4 £6.50 (Westminster schools £3.50)30th April – 2nd May 2013 - FULLY BOOKED
Tudor Reformations
In January 1540, Westminster Abbey was dissolved and the Benedictine monks left. On a tour of the Abbey pupils will find out what it was like in the Abbey at this time, and why Henry VIII dissolved the religious houses of England. They will consider the impact that closing the Abbey would have had on Westminster, and beyond, and meet Brother William, one of monks, to find out how he felt about the Reformation.Max 30 pupils per session
10.00-12.00 or 12.45-14.45
£4.00 - Suitable for KS 2&37th & 8th May 2013 - FULLY BOOKED
WOOFYT project at Westminster
Have you ever wondered if science and the arts are so very different? Or … what possible connection could there be between the kitchen sink and an organ? The Wooden One-octave Organ For Young Technologists (WOOFYT) project will answer these and many other questions. Join us for an exploration of the science of sound, uncover the mystery behind the pipes and discover the role of music used every day inside Westminster Abbey.Max 60 pupils per session
10.00-12.00 or 12.45-14.45
£4 Suitable for KS2 Gifted and Talented22nd & 23rd May 2013 - FULLY BOOKED
Can buildings speak?
Join us on an interactive exploration of Westminster Abbey focussing on what the building can tell us about its use as a Church and also its history. Discover why particular shapes, colours and patterns were used and have a go at building your very own version of Westminster Abbey.Max. 30 pupils per session
10.00-12.00 or 12.45-14.45
£4 per pupil - Suitable for KS113th& 16th May and 5th & 6th June 2013 - FULLY BOOKED
Coronation Chronicles
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the 60th anniversary of her coronation this year. Take a tour of Westminster Abbey and become a monarch for a morning! Stand on the very spot where kings and queens have been crowned since 1066 to find out what happens at the coronation and discover the meaning behind the Crown Jewels. See the tombs of medieval kings and queens and the beautiful Tudor Lady Chapel, burial place of a brother and two sisters: Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I.Max. 30 pupils per session
10.30-12.00 or 13.00-14.30
KS2 £3.50 KS3-5 £6.50 (Westminster Schools £3.50)12th & 13th June 2013 - FULLY BOOKED
Wartime Westminster
What happened at Westminster Abbey during World War II? What was it like to live around here during the Blitz? A member of the Westminster Abbey Fire Watch will take you through the events of the worst night of the Blitz, May 10th 1941 and pupils will find out what precautions were taken to preserve the Abbey’s treasures so that they can still be enjoyed today.Max. 30 pupils per session
10.00-12.00 or 12.45-14.45
£4.00 per pupil Suitable for KS2-318th-20th June 2013 - FULLY BOOKED
Elizabethan Explorers
The great Elizabethan explorer Sir Walter Raleigh is buried in nearby St. Margaret’s Church. Pupils will visit the site of his tomb and learn about his discoveries in the New World. With the help of Boatswain Bill, they will learn what life was like on board ship in the 16th Century and how sailors navigated with maps and the stars. Pupils will use spices discovered in distant lands to make a delicious gingerbread to take back to school.Max. 60 pupils per session
10.30-14.30
£5.50 per pupil Suitable for KS225th- 27th June 2013 - FULLY BOOKED
God Save the Queen!
Queen Victoria was crowned at Westminster Abbey 150 years ago. Students are given a 'guest pass' to this magnificent event by exploring paintings and diaries and by walking in the footsteps of Queen Victoria herself. Discover the behind-the-scenes gossip and also find out what the teenage Victoria felt about her Coronation and about being Queen of England.Max 30 pupils per session
10.00-12.00 or 12.45-14.45
£4.00 per pupil - Suitable for KS2 -
Autumn Term Special Events
Details regarding the 2013 Autumn term will be published later in the year.
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Guided Tours
General guided tours are available on Mondays and Fridays from September to June. This will be a visit looking at the main sights of the building and covering the most important elements of its history and importance. Classes will be divided into groups no larger than 15 pupils. Booking is essential and we regret that no guided tours are available during July and August as the Abbey is too crowded to accommodate school groups.
Download Information for teachers wishing to book a guided tour (PDF, 682 KB)
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Self-Guided visits
Self-Guided visits are available all year round, except during July and August when the Abbey is very crowded and not suitable for school groups. Please book these through the Education Department by emailing us with the details of your visit.
Teachers are advised to download one of the themed trails from the website (see Downloadable Resources section below), or to pre-order the Children’s Trail by indicating this on their booking form.
There must always be at least one teacher or helper to every 10 pupils. Large groups of students will need to be split with the entry times staggered to avoid over-crowding. Maximum group sizes: October- April: 30 - including adults; May - September: 26 - including adults.
Please note that audio guides are not available for school groups.
School groups may only visit during the months of July and August when accompanied by a Blue Badge Guide. Schools are responsible for booking their own Guide: Blue Badge Guides website
Download the Westminster Abbey route map for self-guided groups (PDF, 565 KB)
Download Information for teachers wishing to book a self-guided visit (PDF, 766 KB)
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Downloadable resources
Information for teachers booking a Guided Visit (PDF, 682 KB)
Information for teachers booking a Self-Guided Visit (PDF, 766 KB)
We are constantly adding new resources to this site. Check back just before your visit to make sure you have the latest version and to see what’s new!
SUMMER TERM 2013
Preparation and follow-up material for Summer Term 2013 (PDF, 758KB)LINKS BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE: ST MARGARET’S CHURCH AND THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
If you are combining a visit to Westminster Abbey with a tour of the Houses of Parliament, why not make your way from one to the other via the ‘parish church of the House of Commons’: St Margaret’s Church? If you do intend to visit, please check with the Vestry on 020 7654 4840 prior to your visit.
Links between church and state (PDF 216 KB)MATHS TRAIL
This is suited to advanced Key Stage 2 pupils and includes topics such as Estimation, Units of Measurement, Shapes, Symmetry and Roman Numerals. It is best used by small groups. Some areas of the Abbey may not be accessible and teachers are advised to check with a member of staff on arrival.
Maths Trail (PDF, 576KB)TUDOR TRAIL
Westminster Abbey is the resting place for nearly all the Tudor monarchs. This trail takes you through the building to learn about the fascinating lives and times of this great family. It includes sections in St. Margaret’s and the Abbey museum which can be visited free of charge by arrangement with the Education Department.
Key stage 2 & 3
Tudor Trail (PDF, 2 MB)
Tudor Trail teachers' notes (PDF, 1.9MB)SYMBOLS AND WORSHIP
As a Christian Church, Westminster Abbey has many interesting symbols. This trail challenges pupils to find the most significant and explains why they are important to Christians.
Key Stage 3
Symbols and Worship Trail (PDF, 2MB)LIGHT AND COLOUR TRAIL
This trail explores the Abbey’s collection of stained glass and considers its importance to Christians. It also looks at the beautiful and intricate patterns of the Cosmati Pavement upon which coronations take place, and visits the stunning Lady Chapel. Finishing with a chance to view the Chapter House wall paintings and the collections of the Abbey Museum, this trail is suitable for children who are interested in the visual splendour of the building.
Key Stage 2
Light and Colour Trail (PDF, 1 MB)
Light and Colour Trail teachers' notes (PDF, 1 MB)UNDER OUR FEET TRAIL
The trail is designed to encourage students to look at the fascinating history that often gets ignored; the history found beneath our feet! Students will find out about the monumental brasses and tombstones in the Abbey including the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. Westminster Abbey also has some of the finest examples of medieval tiles in the country as well as the beautiful medieval Cosmati pavement made from coloured stones and glass in the reign of Henry III.
Key Stage 2/3
Under Our Feet Trail (PDF, 2 MB)
Under Our Feet Trail teachers' notes (PDF, 2 MB)ROYAL SOCIETY SCIENTISTS TRAIL
The Royal Society celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2010 with a year-long programme of events and activities. As part of this celebration, the Society collaborated with Westminster Abbey to produce this exciting science trail, highlighting the discoveries made by past Fellows of the Royal Society, now buried or remembered within the Abbey.
Scientists Trail Student Booklet (PDF, 4 MB)
Scientists Trail Teachers' Notes (PDF, 1 MB)WHAT THE DICKENS TRAIL
Charles Dickens is often considered the greatest of Victorian novelists. 2012 marks the bicentenary of his birth. Come and help us to celebrate his unique style of writing and find out from the man himself, about the inspiration for his work and the times in which he lived. Pupils will be visit the tomb where Dickens was buried in a small, private ceremony in Poets’ Corner. You can combine this session with a self-guided walking tour of the areas around the Abbey associated with Dickens and the Victorian era.
Westminster in the time of Dickens downloadable trail (PDF, 6MB) -
Charges
Access to the Cloisters, Museum, College Garden (Tues-Thurs only), and Chapter House is free, although a booking and tickets are required so that we can prevent over-crowding. Please contact the Education Department to arrange your visit.
PRE-BOOKED SCHOOLS SELF-GUIDED
Price per pupil:
Primary £2.00
Secondary £5.00
Westminster Secondary School £3.50PRE-BOOKED SCHOOLS GUIDED
Includes entry, guide and use of the Education Centre to store bags and coats. Mondays and Fridays from September-June
Price per pupil:
Primary £3.50
Secondary £6.50
Westminster Secondary £3.50SPECIAL EVENTS (VARIOUS THEMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR)
Half Day Activities (includes a tour of the Abbey and a workshop) £4.00
Full Day Activities (includes a tour of the Abbey and other activities) £5.50ADULT PRICES
(Reception - Year 2) 1 Adult per 5 pupils free, additional adults £3:50
(Year 3 - Year 6) 1 Adult per 10 pupils free, additional adults £3:50
(Year 7 - 13) 1 Adult per 10 students free, additional adults £8:00 -
Competitions
To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen’s Coronation, Westminster Abbey Education Department is holding a ROYAL QUIZ for pupils in Years 5 & 6.
First Prize £250 for RE Resources, and £15 Amazon Voucher for each member of the team
Second Prize £125 for RE resources and £8 Amazon Voucher for each member of the team
All runners up will receive an individual prize.
Teams of 4 pupils (two from Year 5 and two from Year 6) are invited to register. Only one team per school is permitted.
16 May – 13 June, 4pm
Heats will take place in the Abbey Education Centre, 1 Dean’s Yard, 18th Jun, 6pm
Semi-finals, Grand Final and Presentation of Prizes in the Nave, following Choral Evensong.
Please contact the Education Department to register. educationuk@westminster-abbey.org
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You said it!
Some poems written by students after a visit to Westminster Abbey.
I really liked Westminster Abbey,
It made me feel sad and happy.
The unknown soldier’s grave was cool,
All dead king’s crowns from jewel to jewel.Symbols, flags and stainglass,
All of which I think will pass.
Ancient royals lie in graves,
Since 1066 we’ve had this craze.The old monastery all lned in eights,
The windows represent God’s gates.
I really liked Westminster Abbey,
It made me feel sad and happy.By Eleanor, Grey Coats Hospital School
I See It With My Eyes
I lie in my memorial,
Watching the ghosts past by,
Endlessly staring at the breathless patterns, After years I start to sigh.King Edward the third keeps laughing,
Even most of his gold has been picked away, The candles lighten the darkness, Sometimes I hear what God says.Knights, swords and symbols,
The trinity and the five shaped star,
Each of those have different meanings,
Like there's a different sound for each bar.I hear the choir sing,
I remember each beautiful marriage,
I see many, may priests,
I see a splendid wedding carriage.I am the unknown warrior,
Who fought in the first wold war,
I lie in my memorial,
In Westminister Abbey I fall...........By Wendy, Grey Coats Hospital School
The abbey is as beautiful as can be,
It’s obvious the architects let their minds run free,
How they made the designs look so slight,
How it is such a pleasure to have in your sight.The coronation chair,
Made me want to stare,
Jealous of all whom had been seated there,
All the kings and the queens,
Being crowned then photo-ed; their jewels producing many gleams.Last of all, the elegant Lady Chapel,
Make by a jealous King Henry (number seven),
Because in God’s eye he wanted to be the apple,
By being buried near a saint so he could go to heaven.By Elymma, Grey Coats Hospital School
National Treasure Chest competition
In December 2012 five schools came to explore the Abbey as a National Treasure in itself and as a chest which contains what the nation treasures. In a workshop inspired by the poem My Box, by the National Poet for Wales, Gillian Clarke, the children wrote poems imagining what they would put in their box: everything that they hold most dear.
The prize-winners were Abigail and Amina and these are their poems:
It’s my box
My box feels as soft as cotton,
And I haven’t forgotten.
It’s my box.My box smells like perfumed love,
And is shaped like a dove,
It’s my box.My box is as cozy as being wrapped up in a blanket of family,
And frolics about happily.
It’s my box.In my box is a pillow of loveable pictures,
And leaflets from all my fixtures,
It’s my box.In my box is a bundle of memories,
Even my tiptoes to the cemetery,
It’s my box.In my box is a circle of everlasting love,
Which hovers above.
It’s my box.I’ll hide my box in a pool of trust,
With sweet flowers that will protect it from dust,
And anything that can harm it,
It’s my box.By Abigail, Channing School
My box
My box is made of dreams and life,
And is loved as a golden shrine,
My box likes to whisper in my ear,
Of tales, of kings and life and beautiful, milky sunsets.In my box I keep casting, clear charms,
As well as pieces of my past and my ups and downs,
Dancing, delicate dancers dance as fair as the clouds in my box.I’ll protect my box with my life for it has my past and future,
Inside, it will live for generations to come,
And people of the future will gaze at it with curiosity.By Amina, St Matthew’s School
The runners-up were Isaac, Aidan and Olamiji and these are their poems:
Inside my box is
The perfume of a white rose
The sight of the crown jewels
The merry song of a robin
The softness of a silk pillow
The heat of a fiery furnace
The pain of a bullet through the head
The sorrow of death
The bright colours of a rainbow
The shine as bright as the sun
The strength as strong as an elephant
The spice of a chilli
The humour of a chimpanzee
The history of Westminster Abbey
The speechlessness of a magician
The height of the statue of liberty
The speed of a wild goose
The silence of Mary I in her tomb
The insanity of Henry VIII
The grandness of King Edwards’s chair
The energy of a pumped up balloon 2
The frown of so many angry looks
The chaos of World War 2
The unity of friendsBy Aidan, St Margaret’s School
My Box
Inside my box there is
The swish of Ann Boelyns robes
The sound of the soldier rapidly firing bullets
That perfect smell of Jane Seymour’s perfume
The aroma of the scarlet poppies
The sight of the presence holding throne
The taste of her Majesties royal breakfast
The unbearable sadness of King Henrys IIIs death
The love and hope of every soldier who fought and died in the war.By Isaac, St Margaret’s School
In my box is a crown when the queen was crowned.
The unknown soldier with his groan of sound.
King Edward the confessor and the professor.
In my box Henry the eight marrying six wives and when the soldiers mothers cries.
The sound of an evil laugh when the war began.By Olamiji, St Margaret’s School
Click on the images to enlarge
