In April 2009, school groups will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to access the White Tower conservation site at the Tower of London. This exceptional learning experience will give many students access to the 11 levels of scaffolding, enabling them to see how the best-preserved Norman fortress in Europe is being cleaned and repaired between January 2008 and November 2010.
A drawing competition was organised by HRP in association with the Prince's Drawing School. The winning drawing was printed on the scaffolding sheeting covering the east face of the White Tower © Historic Royal Palaces
Construction of the White Tower was begun around 1078 by William the Conqueror and today the building is a national icon. A conservation project of this size occurs only every 60 to 70 years, so this is a truly a unique chance to see history in the making.
Why is this project important to students’ learning?
Building conservation is not a dry subject, but a chance to engage with the past. At the white tower, students can:
- learn why buildings need to breathe
- find out about the latest archaeological discoveries
- understand how pollution and incorrect building techniques can affect the life of a building
- see how a geologist maps out every stone in a building to determine its origin
- experience the tools used on a conservation project – the tower is cleaned with just water, one rock at a time
- touch a wall that is nearly 1,000 years old
- practise traditional building skills.
From these interactions, students gain an appreciation and understanding of England’s built heritage. They can question and investigate for themselves, and build their understanding of why our built heritage is important.
After the White Tower pilot programme in 2008, one teacher of key stage 3 students said, ‘It is such a unique opportunity for students. It was great to see their excitement when they went out to the conservation site’.
Students will be able to talk to a range of experts. At peak times there can be 10 conservators, two architects, two geologists, two archaeologists, one building curator, one building surveyor and two English Heritage inspectors on-site.
The Traditional Building Skills Bursary Scheme enable stonemasons to be trained during the White Tower conservation project © Historic Royal Palaces
What is building conservation?
Building conservation is about carefully preserving and protecting historic buildings. At the same time, the process of conservation allows for new findings of historical significance. Historic Royal Palaces is aware that every brick and every stone provide clues to materials, decorative treatments, craftsmanship and the alterations that have been made to a building over time.
The White Tower education programme
From April 2009, a programme for students ranging from those at key stage 2 to those studying for diplomas and A-levels will be available at the white tower. All sessions include free time on the Tower of London site. Activities include:
- workshops to investigate the characteristics and suitability of materials used in the white tower’s construction
- practical activities such as mixing mortar and conservation techniques
- learning about the techniques used by medieval and contemporary masons and other craftspeople
- small-group tours of the scaffolding to see the building’s decay and observe cleaning and preservation techniques first-hand
- investigative trails to discover how the details of historic buildings help to interpret the past
- opportunities to debate change and the value of historical buildings to the modern day.
For more information about the programme, visit the Historic Royal Palaces website or contact Emilie Rolland, White Tower learning officer at emilie.rolland@hrp.org.uk.
A student involved in the Mix & Match workshop at the White Tower © Historic Royal Palaces
Class activities
- Class debate: Is built heritage important?
- Tour your local area: In small groups, mark on local maps buildings of historical significance. Create a complete map of local sites.
- Historical investigation: Students choose a local building to investigate, then make notes on its condition, supported by photographs. Back in the classroom, research the historical significance of the building.
- Contact local organisations: Contact the local historical society, civic society, English Heritage, the National Trust – do they have conservators, historians, archaeologists or geologists who could share stories, provide a site tour or run a workshop? You could also interview people in the area.
- Look around your local area: Notice any historic buildings with scaffolding, or buildings in decay. Ask your local authority how your class can find out about these projects, and how they could be involved.
Further resources
- There is more on building conservation at the Historic Royal Palaces website.
- Conservation career information is on the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings website.
- SAVE Britain’s Heritage is a campaign for threatened historic buildings.
- Find out how the National Trust protects and conserves historic buildings.
A young student practising her lime-pointing skills on a conservation day at St James' Church, Stirchley, with the Churches Conservation Trust © Virginia Simpson
Other conservation projects
The Churches Conservation Trust
The Churches Conservation Trust has co-ordinated several successful conservation days for schools at churches undergoing repair work. These sessions present an excellent opportunity for students to learn about traditional craft skills and caring for the historic environment.
In May 2008 a group of students visited St Petrock's Church in Parracombe, Devon and enthusiastically threw themselves into helping lime-point the exterior of the tower, whilst firing questions at the conservation contractors. The day included a tour of the church and churchyard with the architect and the students left feeling very proud of having such a special church in their village.
The Churches Conservation Trust is keen to offer conservation sessions to primary school students in 2009. To find out whether a project is happening in your area, contact the learning and access officer (020 7213 0660) or visit the Churches Conservation Trust website.
Greenwich Foundation, Old Royal Naval College
Heritage craft skills taster day (Key stage 3): These taster days are available from 2010 and come up twice a year. They aim to encourage mainly year 9 students with an interest in design & technology, art & design or history to consider a career in the built heritage sector. A variety of activities is offered: stone carving, gilding and imitation marbling, alongside careers advice and information. The programme is run in partnership with the Building Crafts College.
