Learn about Worcester Cathedral
Our curriculum covers topics and interest for EYFS through to KS5, FE and HE. Heritage, Faith, Architecture and Culture including STEM and Art and Design can all be explored at Worcester Cathedral.
Find out more about the topics you are interested in below or download our latest brochure. We have included some sample workshops, but are always happy to discuss developing new workshops and ideas. Your visit can also cover many different themes or periods of history so don't be limited!
Tours
"Wonder" through the Cathedral with a guided tour from one of our expert trained guides. A tour of the Cathedral is the main focus of most visits to the Cathedral. The tour will be adapted to focus on the learning objectives of your visit and the age range and learning needs of your group.
Curriculum Areas
We have a wide range of curriculum areas we cover. Click on the ones below that interest you to find out more.
First and foremost the Cathedral is a place of Christian Worship. Alongside a tour we include a variety of workshops that can help your students understand the role of the Cathedral in the Christian faith. The curriculum for these visits is closely linked to the Understanding Christianity Curriculum.
New for 2024/25: KS1-Events, KS3 - Wisdom (when life gets hard)
Links: Religious Education
Key Stages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Specific Focus:
Sacraments, Pilgrimage, Creation, Discover Christmas or Easter
View our Curriculum Leaflet EYFS, KS1, 2
View our Curriculum Leaflet KS3, 4, 5
Sample Workshops:
EYFS/KS 1: Creative Prayer, Reflective Prayer Stones, Creation Stories, Symbols of Christian Faith, Stained Glass Windows or other Craft.
KS 2: Caring for our Creation, Holy Communion or Baptism, Stained Glass Window Drama, Incarnation, Trinity, Creative Prayer or Prayer Stones, Related Craft.
KS3: Creation Care, Sacraments/Holy Communion, Wisdom - when life gets hard, Reflective worship, Incarnation, Trinity
KS4: Sacraments, Incarnation, Reflection on the Space, Topic Discussions with clergy
Who was King John and how does he match up to his legend? What was his role in the Magna Carta and how does that impact us today? Why is he buried at Worcester Cathedral and where is his thumb?
New for 2024/25: King John on trial (KS4/5)
Links: History, Citizenship, PSHE
Key Stages: 2, 3, 4, 5
Sample Workshops: King John Tomb History Hunt, Heraldry, Human Rights & Magna Carta, King John Stained Glass Window Drama, Magna Carta Manuscript
Arthur, Prince of Wales, the first Tudor Prince, the boy who would have been king. What would history have been like if he had lived? What was it like to be alive in Tudor England? Learn about Arthur's position in the family and what happened after he died.
New for 2024: A joint visit with the Tudor House Museum
Links: History,
Key Stages: 2, 3
Sample Workshops: Arthur – the Lost Tudor Prince, Changing Beliefs in Tudor times, Tudor Games, Tudor Medicine & Herbs, The Six wives of Henry VIII
England changed forever during the reign of Henry VIII as the church split from Rome. What connection did key people in the reformation have with Worcester? What was the impact on Worcester Cathedral and those that worshiped here? What happened to the monks? There is much to see and learn about, from Arthur's tomb and it's examples of iconoclasm, the surprising story about the statue of the Virgin Mary, the impact on the monastery and most significantly the destroyed Christ in Majesty sculpture.
Links: RE, History,
Key Stages: 4, 5
Sample Workshops: Reformation timeline and impact, Iconoclasm at the Cathedral, Visit the Library, Christ in Majesty, The role of Worcester
The Battle of Worcester concluded the English Civil War and the Cathedral played a central role. Visit Charles II's lookout point, view the tomb of his top lieutenant, re-enact the battle and learn how to use a pike!
Links: History
Key Stages: 2, 3,
Sample Workshops: Pike Drill, Royalists vs Parliamentarians, The Great Escape walking tour, Climb the Tower to view the battle, The King’s Men, The Battle of Worcester Stained Glass Drama.
Please note there is an additional charge to climb the tower.
The Normans built the Cathedral in 1084. What do we know about their role in Cathedral life in the 11th and 12th Century? Explore their architectural style and the founding of the Cathedral nearly 1000 years ago.
Links: History, Maths, Physics, Technology
Key Stages: 3, 4
Sample Workshops: Norman impact on Architecture & Religion, The role of a monastery as a place of learning, How to Build a Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral started life as part of a medieval monastery. Now it's your chance to be a monk for a day. Take a vow of silence, a promise to observe the rule of Benedict and explore what life as a monk was like in medieval Worcester.
As part of a local history study explore the role and importance of monastery in local life.
Links: History, RE
Key Stages: 1, 2, 3
Sample Workshops: Monastic Life in Worcestershire, Medieval Education and Manuscript Production, Meet a Monk, Monastic Habits, Monastic Meals, Monastic Sign Language, St Wulfstan Stained Glass Window Drama, The Dissolution at Worcester, Worship and Plain Chant
Investigate height, width and length. Explore patterns and shape and link Maths lessons with the design of the Cathedral.
Links: Maths, Science
Key Stages: 1, 2
Sample activities: Patterns and Shapes, Measurement
Pilgrims have come to religious sites for centuries and they still come today. Come on a quest to the Cathedral and explore what motivates a pilgrim and what pilgrimage involves.
Links: History, RE, PSHE
Key Stages: 1, 2, 3
Sample Workshops: Labyrinth – decision making skills, Creative Prayer, Saints Tales, Symbols of the Christian Faith
Art and Drama are an integral part of many of our visits as we bring the Cathedral to life through these mediums. But they can also be the focus of the visit, for example a photography visit or a visit to sketch the beautiful architecture of the Cathedral.
Explore the music and its long history at the Cathedral, listen to the Organ thunder and learn how to be a chorister for an hour.
Links: Art, Drama, Literacy, English, Music.
Key Stages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, FE, HE
Sample Workshops: Anglo Saxon Art, Brass Rubbing, Charcoal Drawing, Gargoyle Making, Meet an Organist, Be a Chorister for an hour,
Explore the Cathedral and use it as muse for creating poetry. We have a specific poetry day programme that schools can book in for, or we can include a poetry workshop as part of the visit.
Links: Literacy, English
Key Stages: 2, 3
Sample Workshops: Poetry Day, Poetry Workshop.
Cathedral's such as Worcester were built centuries ago using medieval technology and labour - how did they do it and how does it stay up today? Explore this and more and subject to availability meet a stonemason and ask her your questions.
This workshop has been specifically developed for students with additional learning needs but is suitable for all abilities.
Links: Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths
Key Stages: 2, 3, 4
View our STEM Curriculum Leaflet
Sample Workshops: How to build a Cathedral, Meet a Stone Mason
What impact does Climate Change have on a Cathedral? What is our role as a church in caring for our planet? Developed in consultation with the Lapworth Museum explore with us how we can care for Our Earth and Our Cathedral
Links: Science, Geography, PSHE
Key Stages: 2, 3
Sample Workshops: Earth Sciences & climate change*, meet a stone mason, acid rain & erosion, The Christian faith and stewardship,
Make the memorable ascent up the 235 steps to the top of our tower and look across Worcestershire.
Extra charges apply, subject to weather and staffing.
Year 4 and above only.
Links: History, Science, Maths, PSHE, Geography,
Key Stages: 2, 3, 4, 5, FE & HE!
Virtual Visit
We can provide virtual visits for you if a trip is not possible for whatever reason. You can explore any of the topics and curriculum that we traditionally cover from the comfort of your own classroom. A virtual visit could include:
- A video tour of the cathedral
- Informative videos about specific aspects
- Live Q & A sessions with our guides
- Virtual workshops
- Downloadable resources.
To enquire about a virtual visit, please phone 01905 732919 or email schools@worcestercathedral.org.uk or complete our booking form.
Cathedral on Tour
Can't get to us, but still want to learn about the Cathedral, it's history or worship? Then we can come to you.
- Wide range of resources and activities ready for your classroom
- Experienced guides will share their knowledge with your students without having to manage a coach
- Videos and images of the Cathedral to bring it to life in the classroom.
To find out more or book, please call us on 01905 732919 or email schools@worcestercathedral.org.uk or complete our booking form.
Learning Visit Prices
All prices are for 2024/25 school year. We offer a discount for Pupil Premium students. Prices are per student and inclusive of VAT. Accompanying staff/adults are free.
Standard Education Visit comprising a tour and two/three workshops (4 hours)- £6.50
Guided tour with one workshop (2 hours) - £4.50
Guided tour or trail (1 hour 15 minutes) - £4.00
Self-guided tour (booking essential for group visits) - £3.00
Special Event Day (e.g. Experience Tudor England) - £8.00
Tower climb (as part of a visit) - £1.50
Tower climb only - £4
To book visit our complete a booking form or phone us on 01905 732919 or email schools@worcestercathedral.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
We are happy to answer all your questions so just email or call us, but you may find the answer below.
Most visits have exclusive use of Undercroft Learning Centre for the day although larger groups maybe based elsewhere.
The Undercroft toilets are not available to the public and will be yours for the day. There are also public toilets for larger groups.
Yes, we actively encourage this. You can arrange it with us so we can meet you and go through the locations. We can also do a call or zoom/teams to discuss your visit.
We provide all schools with a guideline risk assessment that can be used to create your own risk assessment.
Full Day
10:00 Arrive & Introduction
10:15 Tour
11:20 Break
11:40 Workshop 1
12:30 Lunch
1:00 Workshop 2
1:50 Plenary
2:00 Depart
Half Day
10:00 Arrive & Introduction
10:10 Tour
11:10 Break
11:20 Workshop
12:00 Depart or stay to eat lunch in Undercroft
Prices are listed above. Note we have a discount rate for pupil premium students.
Yes, of course, however, we recommended a guided visit so that you can benefit from the vast knowledge and experience of our guides. We do ask self-guided visits to book and pay a contribution.
Most groups eat lunch in the Undercroft Learning Centre. Larger groups may need to spread out or use other spaces.
If the weather is nice then groups can eat in the Cathedral grounds.
Even if you're just coming for a tour you might be able to use the Undercroft so do ask when enquiring.
Complete an online enquiry form or email schools@worcestercathedral.org.uk or call 01905 732919.
All group visits including self-guided should book so that you can ensure access to the Cathedral. We recommend booking at least a half-term in advance.
Busy periods such as Christmas and June/July get booked up well in advance, so do book early to ensure you can get a date to fit you and your school.
No, we invoice afterwards for the exact number that attended.
However, if for whatever reason you would prefer to pay on the day, we can make arrangements for payment by cash or card, please let us know before you come that you wish to pay on the day.
We work with you to ensure we meet the needs of your students. Adapted resources and support materials are also available.
The Undercroft is accessible via level flooring and contains a hearing loop. Most of the rest of the Cathedral is wheelchair accessible, although the Crypt is not. We do have provision to support tours with wheelchairs.
There is a coach drop off point by King's Street carpark, just a few minutes walk from the Cathedral entrance.
We don't have space for school visits to park at the Cathedral, however, small groups with just a minibus might be able to drop off in the grounds. Ask when you enquire.
Full details about where to come on arrival and where we'll meet you will be sent out prior to your visit.