Character

Tudors

KS1

Audience with King Henry VIII KS1

Come face to face with Henry VIII and discover the dramatic family stories behind one of England’s most famous kings.

019 Burghley House Educationshoot1 Shutterbox Photography Henry Viii
Curriculum links

Session details

King Henry VIII is waiting to meet your class – and he has quite a story to tell.

Through lively storytelling and educator-in-role, pupils discover Henry’s personality, favourite pastimes, marriages, children and what it meant to be king. Along the way, Henry introduces the other monarchs in his remarkable Tudor family, helping pupils piece together who came before him and who followed.

There are plenty of chances to respond, ask questions and find out more, making this a fun and memorable introduction to the people at the heart of Tudor England.

What pupils do

  • Meet King Henry VIII and learn about his life.
  • Respond to historical scenarios and questions.
  • Use questioning skills to find out more about Henry and his life. 

What to expect

  • Takes place in a classroom-style learning space.
  • Delivered in groups of up to 30 pupils.
  • The session lasts approximately 45 minutes.
  • Led by a costumed educator portraying King Henry VIII.
  • A mainly seated, discussion-based session with opportunities for pupils to ask questions throughout.
  • Costume and music help create an immersive atmosphere.
  • The session is delivered at an age-appropriate level for Key Stage 1 pupils.

SEND & accessibility

  • The learning space has level access.
  • Toilets are located nearby.
  • Easy access to outdoor space is available should a pupil need time away from the activity with an appropriate adult.
  • The educator can adapt both the content and delivery to suit the needs of the group.

Learning outcomes

01

Understand the role of Henry VIII as monarch.

02

Understand how a monarch would have been greeted in Tudor times.

03

Identify key features of Tudor monarchy.

04

Explore the causes and consequences of Henry VIII’s decisions. 

05

Develop historical questioning skills. 

06

Use historical vocabulary related to monarchy and Tudor society. 

07

Discuss how historical figures are interpreted. 

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