Scottish Archives for Schools	

SCHOOLS PROGRAMME 2013-2014

‘Defender of the Empire' Christmas card, 1914	
The National Records of Scotland provides pupils with the opportunity to engage with the written history of Scotland from mediaeval charters to modern census and statistical information.

We offer free workshops and web conferencing sessions for pupils from P3 to S6. During these sessions, we introduce pupils to our unique records which tell the stories of Scottish people, places and events. Our programme provides active engagement with different areas of the curriculum such as Citizenship, Literacy and English, inspiring creative writing, drama or design as well as supporting the teaching of Scottish history and other Social Studies. At Secondary level, our sessions support National Qualifications at National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher (including sessions specifically targeted to the Higher: Scottish History Units).  

You can access a selection of our historical documents online in the Resources section of our website www.scottisharchivesforschools.org

If you can’t find the resources you need for a particular course, topic, project or classroom activity, contact us to discuss your specific requirements. We are always keen to receive your suggestions, comments and feedback.

	
CONTENTS                                                                                                                                   PAGES
New for 2013-2014                                                                                                                1                                                                                                   
Curriculum for Excellence                                                                                                     2-3
National Qualifications                                                                                                          3-4   
History Higher – Scottish Units                                                                                               4   
How to book and visitor information                                                                                        5                                                                                                      

Education Services                                                                                       email: education@nas.gov.uk
General Register House                                                                                                 tel: 0131 535 1384
2 Princes Street                                                                                                             fax: 0131 535 1363
Edinburgh
EH1 3YY
	
www.scottisharchivesforschools.org
	
New for  2013-2014            	
	
Introducing SAfS ‘Teach Meets’ on Glow 
Starting on 4 September 2013 and thereafter on the first Wednesday of each month, an Education Officer from the National Records of Scotland will be available from 4:00pm to 4:30pm, in our Glow Meet room to introduce teachers to our service. 

During the session, we will demonstrate our use of Glow to bring primary sources into the classroom. You will have the opportunity to see what we do and how we do it, to ask questions and discuss our Schools Programme and online resources, and to familiarise yourself with different features of Glow Meet.     

There is no need to pre-book these sessions. To log on, visit the National Records of Scotland Glow Group and select the Glow Meet tab. All you need is your Glow password, and a microphone and web camera connected to your computer.   

Commemorating the Battle of Flodden, 1513
King James IV of Scotland was killed in the battle of Flodden in Northumbria on 9 September 1513 when his army was defeated. Look out for our new online resource that will feature the background to the battle and include details of James’s preparations for his invasion of England.

Genealogy Research Project for Secondary School Pupils
The study of genealogy is an interesting and challenging approach to developing young people’s knowledge, understanding and experience of social history, citizenship and identity. This year we are offering a new course designed to give pupils the opportunity to undertake a small research project into family history and produce a simple family tree.

As a starting point, pupils will be required to interview family members to gather known facts. They will have to plan and organise the detailed recording of evidence and tackle some degree of problem solving to work with the various records of births, marriages and deaths. Instruction will be given in how to read and interpret these and other primary sources such as the census, wills and valuation rolls. 

Information for class teachers: 
•	Pupils must have Scottish ancestors to undertake the course i.e. relatives who were born, married or died in Scotland. 
•	It is open to pupils aged 14 and over. Those aged 14 and 15 are required to provide a letter of permission and a contact telephone number for a parent or legal guardian before they are allowed access to the historical records.
•	The course is free and is delivered in General Register House, Edinburgh in 2 x 2 hour sessions. Pupils will work with our Education staff to undertake their research. 

Please contact us to discuss suitable dates and times which must be agreed at least 2 weeks in advance of the first session.

Email: education@nas.gov.uk or tel: 0131 535 1340. 
Download a booking form from our website at www.scottisharchivesforschools.org. 

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Curriculum for Excellence            	
	
The following workshops are designed for pupils from P3 - S3 within 
the broad general education.

The National Records of Scotland 
Find out what an archive is and what archivists do in this introduction to the work of the National Records of Scotland. Put your analysing and evaluating skills to the test in deciphering a range of primary sources drawn from our extensive holdings. 

The Scottish Wars of Independence
During the 13th and 14th centuries, Scotland’s status as an independent kingdom came under threat from King Edward I and King Edward II of England. Pupils investigate this turbulent period in history, from the death of King Alexander III in 1286 to the execution of William Wallace in 1305, and consider Wallace’s impact on events.

2 versions are available: for P4-P7 pupils, and for S1-S3 pupils.

Mary, Queen of Scots
In this session younger pupils use archives to investigate the early life of Mary, Queen of Scots. They look closely at examples of her handwriting, seal and coins to find out about the young queen.

Recommended for P3-P5 pupils.

Witches on Trial 
Between 1563 and 1736, witchcraft was a criminal offence in Scotland, punishable by death. Students study evidence presented in a number of 16th and 17th century Scottish witchcraft trials to understand why they took place and how the accused were dealt with.

Recommended for S1-S3 pupils.

Victorian Scotland
Workshop 1: The Case of the Climbing Boy
John O’Neill was employed as a climbing boy in Glasgow in 1840. An incident took place which resulted in a criminal case. Pupils use their detective skills to evaluate contemporary witness statements to find out what happened to John and who was responsible.
 
Workshop 2: 'Our Glen': a Snapshot in Time 
During the summer of 1866, Alexander McCallum Webster built his own camera and took photographs of his family and servants on his grandmother’s estate at Invercreran in Argyll. Pupils use the photographs and other primary sources to research the Webster family, their servants and their lives. 

Workshop 3: The Flannan Lighthouse Mystery
Using contemporary evidence gathered by the Northern Lighthouse Board, pupils retell the story of the disappearance of the three lightkeepers from Flannan Lighthouse in December 1900 and draw their own conclusions as to what happened.

The Impact of the Great War, 1914-1915			
When Britain declared war on Germany on 8 August 1914, people were optimistic that it would be over in a matter of months. This workshop focuses on life in Scotland from 1910 onwards and investigates the immediate impact of the war up to December 1915. 

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St Kilda 
Workshop 1: Living on the Edge
No matter which century or location, survival in small isolated communities presents constant challenges. Using contemporary evidence created by officials and visitors to St Kilda, pupils find out about the island, the people and their lives and why they abandoned their homes in August 1930.

Recommended for P5-P7 pupils

Workshop 2: Planning the Evacuation                                                        
On 10 May 1930, government officials received a petition from the inhabitants of St Kilda asking for assistance to leave the island. Pupils revisit the experience through the eyes of both the civil servants and the local population to assess how the situation was handled and whether they agree with the decisions taken. 
Recommended for S1-S3 pupils

The Second World War
Workshop 1: The Scottish Home Front
Pupils 'meet' some of the people who lived on Baker Street and Ingleston Street in Greenock during the Second World War, build a picture of what life was like and find out how the war affected their lives.

Workshop 2: New Light on the Scottish Home Front
Using the records of the Northern Lighthouse Board, pupils discover how lighthouses were affected by the Second World War, how the responsibilities of the lightkeepers changed, and how they defended themselves, their lights, and their families.

The Thistle and the Lion
Pupils examine replica coins and primary sources to discover the symbols used to represent Scotland through the ages. With this knowledge, they go on to choose symbols to represent themselves. 

Tartan: a Chequered Tale
The National Records of Scotland administers the Scottish Register of Tartans which was established by the Scottish Parliament in 2008. In this session we explain what tartan is and how it is created, and use original sources from our holdings to illustrate episodes from Scotland’s tartan history. 

What is the Census?
The first official Scottish census took place in 1801 and it continues to take place every ten years. Why do we have a census and how useful is the data collected ? Pupils learn how to read, interpret and compare statistical data from a selection of 19th to 21st century census records. The next census is due in 2021: what questions should be asked to help plan Scotland’s future?

Sporting Scotland
Sport has been played in Scotland for centuries with the most popular being football and golf. Pupils investigate primary sources to discover why football and golf were banned in the 15th century and how they have evolved since then. Other sports featured include archery and those associated with Highland Games. 

National Qualifications            	
	
The following workshops are designed to support the senior phase of the curriculum for S4 - S6 students.

History - National 4 and National 5

Study Skills 
This workshop introduces students to primary sources held in the National Records of Scotland. It provides them with the opportunity to evaluate sources, with reference to their provenance, content and wider historical context, and introduces them to the inherent difficulties in working with original records.
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Witches on Trial 
Between 1563 and 1736, witchcraft was a criminal offence in Scotland, punishable by death. Students study evidence presented in a number of 16th and 17th century Scottish witchcraft trials to understand why they took place and how the accused were dealt with.

What is the Census?
The first official Scottish census took place in 1801 and it continues to take place every ten years. Why do we have a census and how useful is the data collected? Students learn how to read, interpret and compare statistical data from a selection of 19th to 21st century census records. The next census is due in 2021: what questions should be asked to help plan Scotland’s future?

St Kilda: Planning the Evacuation
On 10 May 1930, government officials received a petition from the inhabitants of St Kilda asking for assistance to leave the island. Students revisit the experience through the eyes of both the civil servants and the local population to assess how the situation was handled and whether they agree with the decisions taken. 

	
Higher History - Scottish Units            	

The Scottish Wars of Independence, 1286-1329
Workshop 1: From the death of Alexander III to William Wallace, 1286-1305
This workshop provides an overview of events from 1286 to 1305 illustrating the themes of authority, conflict and identity as Scotland struggled to resolve the succession problem and deal with interference from England and other European powers. 

Workshop 2: The rise and triumph of King Robert I, 1306-1329
'Great was the task that Robert Bruce took upon himself' (Fordun’s Chronicle)
This workshop provides an overview of events during the reign of King Robert I and his efforts to establish his power and authority in Scotland and beyond. Students study extracts from contemporary state papers and acts of parliament, and discuss the difficulties attached to working with medieval sources.

The Age of the Reformation, 1542-1603
Among the Reformation’s most important legacies are the extensive written records of the new courts introduced to run religious affairs in Scotland: the General Assembly, synods, presbyteries, and kirk sessions. Students study extracts from these records and from contemporary parliamentary papers to question the influence of the Church on Scotland’s social, cultural, educational and economic development after 1560. 

The Treaty of Union, 1689-1740
The negotiations for the Treaty of Union aroused strong feelings in many Scots. This session offers students the opportunity to investigate opinions for and against the union as expressed in contemporary correspondence.

Migration and Empire, 1830-1939
Emigration from Scotland
Members of the McCracken family left Ayrshire and emigrated to Australia during the 19th century. In this session we offer students the opportunity to study diary entries and letters written by family members which tell the stories of this particular family’s experiences of emigration.

The Impact of the Great War, 1914-1928
The domestic impact of war, 1914-1918
Students evaluate and discuss a selection of primary sources relating to the outbreak of war, the effects of recruitment and conscription on people’s lives, the use of the Military Appeal Tribunals Scheme for exemption from military service and the treatment of conscientious objectors.

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SCHOOLS PROGRAMME 2013- 2014            	
	
BOOKING YOUR EVENT

STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR TITLE

STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR STYLE OF DELIVERY 
Workshop or web conference 

Workshops
Our free workshops are delivered on Tuesdays to Thursdays, 10:00 –12:00 or 13:00 – 15:00, from 
3 September 2013 to 27 March 2014 in our Education Room in General Register House, 2 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH1 3YY.
The maximum group size is 33 pupils per session

Web conferencing sessions                           
We offer 30-45 minute Glow Meet sessions on Tuesdays to Thursdays, by arrangement, between 10:00 and 15:00 from 3 September 2013 to 27 March 2014. You can book a single session that will focus on one aspect of a topic or you can book up to a maximum of three sessions for greater depth. 

STEP 3: CHOOSE YOUR DATE AND TIME

STEP 4: MAKE A PROVISIONAL BOOKING
Advance booking is essential with a minimum of two weeks prior notice.
Email: education@nas.gov.uk 
Phone: 0131 535 1384
Fax: 0131 535 1363 

STEP 5: CONFIRM YOUR BOOKING
Download a booking form from our website at www.scottisharchivesforschools.org.
Complete and return it to us. 

Please note that provisional bookings must be confirmed within two weeks. Cancellations require 24 hours notice.

	VISITOR INFORMATION

ARRIVAL
Please arrive at the Garden Entrance 15 minutes before the workshop is due to begin where our staff will meet you. We will try to accommodate you if you are late, but any delay may cause your workshop to be shortened.

LUNCHES
Our Education Room can be used as a packed lunch venue subject to advance booking and availability. Teachers/group leaders should ensure that the area is cleared after use and left clean and tidy for the next visitors.

ACCESS
There is wheelchair access to our Education Room. There are also lifts and specially adapted toilets available in our building. Please inform us in advance of your visit if special access is required.

PARKING 
We do not have parking facilities at General Register House. 

SUPERVISION 
Teachers and accompanying adults are responsible for pupils at all times during a visit to our building and grounds. 

HEALTH AND SAFETY
Should teachers wish to visit General Register House before a workshop to complete a risk assessment, 
email: education@nas.gov.uk.

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