The Roman Baths is a special place in Britain’s history. Since May 2022 we have welcomed thousands of students to learn more about the Romans in the newly developed Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre. The learning centre is across the road from the main Roman Baths site, and houses all our formal learning sessions and community activities. We have developed the space and learning programme to provide memory-making experiences for all making use of our in-situ Roman remains, exciting technology, and new research. We have a small team of workshop leaders: James Petrucco with a background in teaching, along with Juliet Wilson with a background in archaeology, are the Workshop Leaders who have helped develop the learning programme.
What’s better than experiencing history right where it happened?
We created new sessions for schools in the heart of a Roman archaeological site. Unearthing Aquae Sulis – a session for primary schools – takes places in our learning centre, four metres below street level and in our hands-on Archaeological Investigation Zone. It contains in-situ archaeological remains – stone fragments and artefacts unearthed during the site’s excavation. In this interactive space, children experience innovative hands-on learning activities. Our primary-aged students become archaeologists – using technology to identify original 2,000-year-old stonework, reconstructing Roman architecture and (everyone’s favourite) digging in our simulated archaeological trench, unearthing Roman artefacts.
Meeting schools' needs
All our activities have been developed in consultation with local primary school children – we think we’ve met all their aims!
During development, we asked children what they would like to see in the new space. They wanted to dig, they wanted to build, and they wanted to use technology. As well as our digging activity, we commissioned new interactives to help children construct and rebuild Roman architectural features including an arch, a column, and the temple pediment that can be seen for real in the museum. In addition, we worked alongside our collections team, archaeologists and a local tech firm to create the “Alex the Archaeologist” app. Pupils explore and investigate Roman remains and use the app to work out what the Roman Baths and temple might have looked like 2,000 years ago. The app gives pupils an outline of an object to find, and when successfully located, a 3D rendering of the complete object is revealed. The app and Investigation Zone have really enhanced our learning offer. They offer an enriching hands-on experience that we haven’t had before at the Roman Baths.
We never rest on our laurels...
But we do have time for a cuppa!
The Investigation Zone forms just one part of our Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre. The centre is accessible with a lift to all levels, cloakroom facilities and even a kitchenette where teachers can make a well-deserved cuppa during their lunch break. The teaching spaces are very different from a regular school classroom, with one looking rather like a Roman amphitheatre! The Centre has access to the Roman Baths via a secret underground tunnel that leads out to the Great Bath, creating a wow-moment that produces gasps from everyone – pupils and teachers.
All our sessions, from Early Years to Sixth Form, relate to the National Curriculum and exam subjects. The sessions draw links between the objects and concepts explored within the Roman Baths. However, we never rest on our laurels. The Roman Baths Collection team are currently exploring ways to tell other stories in our museum interpretation. We are working closely with them to see how this can be reflected in our teaching sessions. One of our secondary teaching sessions focuses on using Latin to decipher the text found on our tombstones and altars. We have jumped at the chance to focus on the stories of the women who were here at the Roman Baths 2,000 years ago. We try to ensure we are offering fresh, relevant content in our sessions – but it keeps us very busy!
All in all, the last three years have been a bit of whirlwind but it has been an enjoyable, worthwhile, (and sometimes tiring!) process to go through. As schools leave, the positive comments, the excited looks on children’s faces and constructive feedback we receive from teachers is why we still do our jobs. We want to ensure all schools have the best possible time when they come to us for a visit.
Find out more
To find out more about LOtC Quality Badge holder: The Roman Baths and what they offer to schools and educational settings visit www.romanbaths.co.uk/schools.
The Roman Baths won the Best Historic Attraction or Venue award at the 2024 School Travel Awards and Best Venue for History Learning at the 2023 School Travel Awards.
This blog post was written by:
Juliet Wilson, Learning Workshop Leader at the Roman Baths.
Juliet fostered a passion for ancient history from an early age, though a hatred of camping led to a career as a museum archaeologist rather than being out in the field! She particularly enjoys engaging school pupils who don’t get the opportunity to visit historic sites and promote museums as a spaces for wonder, curiosity and inclusivity.
James Petrucco, Learning Workshop Leader at the Roman Baths.
James has a teaching background and since 2018 has moved into museum and heritage learning.
