Keystage 2
Our learning programme addresses a variety of curriculum areas e.g. art, English and history. The Cathedral Education Team are particularly happy to focus on Bradford Museum and Galleries’ topic ‘Proud to be from Bradford’, helping children to explore heritage, identity and belonging and the stories that the Cathedral has to tell about Bradford’s and its people.
The RE content of our learning programme addresses Believing and Belonging in West Yorkshire, and the Leeds Diocesan RE Syllabus for voluntary aided schools. However the activities and workshops offered are multi – media and cross curicular and focus on art, citizenship and SMSC as required. All learning sessions and trails are experiential and include opportunities for children to reflect and to respond creatively. They are designed to acknowledge the diverse nature of British society in the 21st century.
A Sacred Space – A Religious Trail
This is a Cathedral discovery trail featuring an exploration of key features that are connected to the practice and expression of the Christian faith e.g. the font (baptism), the nave (people at worship), the lectern and pulpit (the Bible), the chancel (music in worship), the cathedra (the bishopric), the sanctuary (Holy Communion). The focus is on Christianity, but the participants are tasked with using their ‘detective’ skills to find out about a Christian place of worship and compare this with other places of worship in the city, interpreting what they discover and identifying similarities and differences between religions.
Windows on Faith
The Cathedral features an amazing collection of stained glass windows, which provide an insight into the origins of Christian belief and practice. They are one way in which Christians demonstrate what they hold to be sacred and special. They tell the story of the life of Jesus, the early Church, and also the saints of the British Isles, including those of particular significant female saints. Some of the windows link to special times of remembrance and commemoration in the Christian calendar.
Signs and Symbols
This workshop explores signs and symbols, dangerous times and secret messages. It also explores the symbols and colours of the Church’s Year as found in objects and places in the building and in the robes and vestments worn by the clergy and the Bishop.
World War I and the Memorial Bells
In this workshop participants will find out about the history of bells in the Cathedral and compare the use of bells, to the use of call and response in other religious traditions. They will use artefacts, documents and exhibition materials to find out about the World War I Memorial Bells and the story of Bradford bell ringer Joe Hardcastle (pictured bottom right above). They will use role play and exposition to retell the story of the Bells to others.
The Key to the Cathedral Trail (Lower Key Stage 2)
This involves a hunt for lost treasure. The children are tasked with solving clues and follow a ‘key’ trail that explores the Cathedral’s main features. They also take part in an associated craft activity. All participants receive their own personal key to the Cathedral as a reminder that the door to Bradford Cathedral is open to all.
Reflection and Creative Response
The Cathedral Education Team are happy to facilitate teacher led opportunities for quiet, reflective time to enable the experience of awe, wonder and mystery in this special and unique Christian place of worship. Likewise it is possible to arrange appropriate teacher led sessions, that encourage participants to respond in a range of creative ways to the Cathedral experience.
Bespoke Sessions
If possible we encourage schools to choose from the learning sessions and workshops outlined above. However should group leaders have particular content that they would like the Education Team to cover, please make this clear at the time of booking and whenever possible we will endeavour to meet your needs.
How To Book
Visit Charges
We welcome all groups who wish to visit the Cathedral and aim to be accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances. There is no fixed charge for group visits, but donations are always most welcome. We rely on the generosity of our visitors and friends to help fund our education work and are grateful for all monies donated
School and College Groups
Suggested donations per pupil:
- Day visit £5.00
- Morning or afternoon visit £2.50 (approx 1 hr 45 minutes duration)
Note: groups are welcome to eat their lunch in the Cathedral precinct or Cathedral at no extra charge.
Adult Groups
There is no fixed charge, however we suggest that wherever possible a nominal donation of £2.50 per person, per visit is made.Tea, coffee and biscuits may be provided for adult groups and a voluntary donation towards this is always most welcome. Please notify the Education Team at the time of booking if refreshments are required.
How to Make a Booking
- After reading the information on the website regarding school visits, decide what you would like to cover. If you have specific learning objectives or content, different to those suggested, that you would like us to address, please contact the Education Team. We are happy whenever possible to adapt content and objectives to suit specific needs.
- Email or telephone 01274 777720 to arrange a suitable date and discuss the planning of your visit. Please do not book transport until a date is agreed and confirmed.
- When the date has been agreed you will be sent a booking form. Please complete the form and return to confirm your visit by email if possible email
- You will be sent of a copy of our Risk Assessment to support you in your preparation for the visit. You are most welcome to arrange a pre-visit meeting if you wish, to see the building in advance of and speak to a member of the Education Team.
- Contact the Education Team at any time if you have any queries about the visit, or if any of the school circumstances change.
Contact Details:
The Education Team
Maggie Myers and Diane Hadwen
Bradford Cathedral
Stott Hill
Bradford, BD1 4EH
Tel 01274 777720