Arundel Castle provides fantastic opportunities for educational visits. With a colourful history stretching back nearly 1,000 years it makes a perfect educational resource for many aspects included in Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the National Curriculum. The aim of the Arundel Castle Educational Programme is to help students with their study in an informative, enjoyable and memorable way.

The tours are led by an Education Guide to the relevant parts of the Castle. A hands-on session in the Education Room with an experienced guide provides an opportunity to handle artefacts and/or weapons also to try on costumes relevant to the period of study. Students are welcome to wear their own costumes.

We no longer provide pupil workbooks as pupils are encouraged to observe and participate in asking/answering questions and handling a range of artefacts. Also the carrying of clipboards/workbooks can be a hazard on the numerous Castle steps. A teacher’s resource pack provides details of the tour and answers to the questions raised for follow-up sessions at school. This will be sent when the booking is made.

Tours last approximately 3.5 hours, excluding break times, these are time-tabled and can be adapted for shorter visits if required. During the tour, teachers are responsible for maintaining discipline.

Key Stage 1 - Exploring Arundel Castle
Why it was built: its key element for defence e.g. drawbridge and portcullis.
What life was like living there: artefacts and weapons used in medieval times.

Key Stage 2 – Castles and Settlements
Why the Castle was built at Arundel: life in and around the Castle for the Norman and Saxon population: artefacts and weapons used.

Key Stage 2 – Tudors
The prominent people, including St Philip Howard, who lived or were connected with Arundel Castle: portraits, Tudor artefacts and weapons.

Key Stage 2 – Victorians
Based on a visit to the Castle by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1846: the preparations for the visit: how people lived in the Castle: the role of servants in the Castle: portraits: Victorian artefacts: Victorian greenhouses and kitchen gardens.

Key Stage 3 – Normans and Medieval Realms
Why the Castle was built and the varying stages of construction: who lived there and their connection with the monarchy: how they lived: artefacts, armour and weaponry used.

Key Stage 3 – Arundel Castle and Elizabeth I
Prominent Elizabethans connected to Arundel Castle including Admiral Lord Howard and Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk, his attempted betrothal to Mary Queen of Scots and his execution. The Catholic threat to Elizabeth and the imprisonment of St. Philip Howard.

Key Stage 3 –English Civil War
Based on the siege, that took place at Arundel Castle, during the English Civil War. How the war affected the Castle and its inhabitants.

Other curriculum areas

Key Stage 2 and 3 - Art at Arundel Castle
Art trails can be arranged to show the work of artists and craftspeople through paintings, portraits, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and architecture.

To discuss other curriculum areas that may be of interest to you please contact our Education Officer on 01903 882 173 or admin@arundelcastle.org

Education Room

An Education Room is provided for a session with an Education Guide for handling artefacts for the period of history studied.
Packed lunches may be eaten in the Education Room if the weather is inclement otherwise lunch may be eaten in the grounds.

Charges and Payment

£6.00 per pupil. Teachers/Supervisors free at a ratio of 1 per 6 pupils for KS1/2 and 1 to 10 pupils for KS3. Additional adults will be charged at the rate of £10.50 per person. Small groups of 15 pupils or less will be charged the minimum rate of £90.00. We will ask you to sign an invoice request on arrival and an invoice will be sent to the School after the visit. Please ensure that one member of staff has the correct number of pupils and adults on the day.

Cancellations

Please advise us as soon as possible if you have to cancel your visit. Late cancellations (less than 48 hours notice) will be charged the minimum rate of £90.00.

Booking your visit

Please telephone Arundel Castle 01903 882173 or e-mail admin@arundelcastle.org and leave a message with your name, the school’s name and telephone number. Messages can be taken throughout the year and will be dealt with by the Education Officer a.s.a.p. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Please be aware that the Castle is closed on Mondays during term time.

Free Familiarisation and Risk Assessment Visits

Two teachers from each school (with groups of more than 15 pupils) are welcome to a pre-visit to conduct a risk assessment, if necessary during our normal opening hours and 2 complimentary tickets only will be sent with the confirmation letter, if required. One complimentary ticket only will be sent to a school with a small group (minimum rate-15 pupils or less). Additional visitors must pay the full entrance price.

Download Risk Assessment Advice document

Special Needs

We have wheelchair access throughout most of the Castle, but not to the Keep. However, we can make special arrangements so please contact the Education Officer to discuss your needs. Telephone number 01903 882173 or email admin@arundelcastle.org

Castle Shop

The shop sells books, postcards and souvenirs. Students are welcome to visit in small groups at the end of the session but we do ask that teachers supervise groups at all times. Arrangements can be made for small bags with souvenirs to be paid for and collected on the day of your visit. Please ask when making your booking. The shop will also post any items you may require. Cheques should be made payable to Arundel Castle Enterprises Ltd.

Parking

Coaches and mini-buses can drop off at the main Castle entrance in Mill Road and park with a parking permit in the main town car park that is opposite the Castle entrance. Please inform us when making your booking of how many parking permits are required. These can be collected from the Education Guide on the day of your visit.

Castle Opening 2013

Arundel Castle will be open from Friday 29th March to Sunday 3rd November 2013. Open Tuesday to Sunday inclusive throughout the season.
Closed on Mondays (except for Bank Holiday Mondays and Mondays in August).
Unfortunately we are unable to allow school parties in when the Castle is closed

Times

Opening Times will be from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. From 10.00 a.m. - Grounds, Gardens and Fitzalan Chapel, The Keep. From 12.00 noon the Main Castle Rooms.