2018 Festival saw nearly 2,500 pupils from 112 schools.
Bringing together the greatest historians, academics, living historians and TV personalities to educate on curriculum-based subjects, the Festival for Schools excites, inspires and enthuses about history.
On all three days we provide a full Living History programme delivered with expertise and a fresh interactive and immersive approach. This year we are covering the Vikings through to the Age of Chivalry and the Tudors and on to the Second World War. With themes of exploration through history, the story of the home and lots of real historical working artefacts. There is a huge amount for pupils to see and do – and which will help bring the past alive in a unique and exciting way.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we will be introducing a new WWII trench using a scenario from Normandy, June 1944.
The Festival is about getting out of the classroom and bringing history alive in new and exciting ways. We are proud that a large cross-section of schools attend from all over the country.
We are delighted to announce the 2019 programme.
Generously supported by
2019 Programme
Tuesday 25th June & Thursday 27th June – Year 6, 7, 8 & 9 (11-14 year-olds)
For our two days for eleven to fourteen year-olds, we are offering a fully immersive and interactive programme of wide-ranging subjects from which teachers will be able to choose. Using expert historians and living historians together with a mass of genuine historical artefacts, pupils will be able to learn about day-to-day living and lifestyles, as well as exploration, in a way that complements and expands the history curriculum.
Periods covered include: Vikings through to the Age of Chivalry and the Tudors and on to the Second World War. There will be encampments for each period. There will also be a brand new, immersive Second World War trench experience based on Normandy, June 1944.
We are pleased to welcome back Martin Brown, the illustrator of the phenomenally successful Horrible Histories series. His performances at the Festival have always been hugely entertaining and engaging. The author Chae Strathie will be joining us for the first time. He has recently written, So You Think You’ve Got It Bad? A Child’s Life in Ancient Egypt. Historian and curriculum adviser, Chris Culpin, will talk about Living in the Iron Age and acclaimed historian James Holland will talk about the Second World War.
Additionally, the well-loved History Tellers will bring strange and incredible stories from the past back to life with their unique blend of show and tell, and there will also be live demonstrations of the History of Falconry, while experimental archaeologist, Luke Winter, will focus on the Stone Age.
The English-Speaking Union is a charity working to give young people the speaking and listening skills they need to thrive in a changing world: SPEAK, LISTEN, SUCCEED. Throughout the Chalke Valley History Festival there will be opportunities for young people to participate in fun and engaging workshops where they can put their debating and general oral communication skills to the test. Two leaders will help you think critically, build cohesive arguments and express your ideas coherently and cogently. Come along and participate in a good, constructive argument about those topics about which you feel most passionate. See you there!!! ‘
We have limited spaces, so please do book early. For bookings please complete this PDF application form which can be submitted electronically.
Wednesday 26th June – Year 10 and 12
This day includes a range of immersive living history but also an incredible line-up of leading historians and academics covering and expanding many of the principle GCSE and A-level history topics:
THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY
Professor Olivette Otele
THE PLAGUE: 3000BC TO 3000AD
Tim Mason
THE ILIAD
Tom Holland
POMPEII
Dr Sophie Hay
THE CRUSADES
Professor Jonathan Phillips
HENRY VIII AND THE MEN WHO MADE HIM
Dr Tracy Borman
ELIZABETH I AND MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS
Professor Kate Williams
THIS IS SHAKESPEARE
Professor Emma Smith
THE 1917 RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
Dr George Gilbert
APPEASING HITLER: CHAMBERLAIN, CHURCHILL AND THE ROAD TO WAR
Tim Bouverie
THE SECOND WORLD WAR
James Holland
STALIN, CHURCHILL AND ROOSEVELT
Professor David Reynolds
THE RISE OF AMERICA’S NATIONAL SECURITY IDEOLOGY: LESSONS FROM WW2 AND THE CAUSES OF THE COLD WAR
Dr Chris Fuller
VIETNAM: AN EPIC TRAGEDY, 1945-1975
Sir Max Hastings
LIFE, LOSS AND HOPE IN WARTIME SYRIA
Rania Abouzeid
There will be a full Living History programme delivered with expertise and a fresh interactive and immersive approach. This year we are covering the Vikings through to the Age of Chivalry and the Tudors and on to the Second World War. With themes of exploration through history, the story of the home and many real historical working artefacts. There is a huge amount for pupils to see and do – and which will help bring the past alive in a unique and exciting way.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we will be introducing a brand new WWII trench using a scenario from Normandy, June 1944.
We have limited spaces, so please do book early. For bookings please complete this PDF application form which can be submitted electronically.
Funding your trip
We are conscious that for some schools, budgets for school trips are very tight. The Chalke Valley History Trust has a limited amount of funding available to help as many schools as possible to experience the Festival. For further information please contact us on 01722 780793 or schools@cvhf.org.uk
The Schools’ Festival Days start at 10.15am and finish at 3.15pm.
There is plenty of parking for both coaches and minibusesand access to the site in Broad Chalkevillage, 25 minutes from Salisbury,is easy. Pupils can either bring a packed lunch or take advantage of the food stalls that are based at the Festival throughout the week.
For further information and booking queries please email schools@cvhf.org.uk or call 01722 780793.
“The Chalke Valley History Festival for Schools gives students a fantastic and unique opportunity to engage with world-class historians in a way that we could never achieve in school. The speakers and topics are carefully chosen to meet the requirements of a number of GCSE and A Level courses which really engages and inspires students. One of the highlights of the festival for me has to be the reenactors who have such a wealth of knowledge and in-depth understanding of their eras, those with things that go bang are always a hit with the students!”
LIVING HISTORY
On all three days we provide a full Living History programme delivered with expertise and a fresh interactive and immersive approach. This year we are covering the Vikings through to the Age of Chivalry and the Tudors and on to the Second World War. With themes of exploration through history, the story of the home and lots of real historical working artefacts. There is a huge amount for pupils to see and do – and which will help bring the past alive in a unique and exciting way.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we will be introducing a new WWII trench using a scenario from Normandy, June 1944.
For further information and booking queries please email schools@cvhf.org.uk or call 01722 780793.
Please note – no children will be allowed into the event site unless accompanied by an adult or within a school or college group; this means anyone under 16 years of age. There will be a clearly demarcated Lost Child Point in the Ticket & Information Tent.
History Hub
🎧 SPITFIRE: A VERY BRITISH LOVE STORY19th May 2019 - 8:16 pm
John Ruskin: a Victorian visionary for today16th May 2019 - 11:51 am- THE KREMLIN LETTERS: DAVID REYNOLDS ON THE CORRESPONDENCE OF CHURCHILL, ROOSEVELT AND STALIN13th May 2019 - 8:07 pm
🎧 INDIA’S JOAN OF ARC: THE INDIAN MUTINY AND ITS HEROINE, THE RANI OF JHANSI9th May 2019 - 2:05 pm
How to be a Historical Landscape Detective8th May 2019 - 10:28 am
