Before you visit

It would be helpful to discuss Beverley Minster as a historical building and place of worship and to ascertain what the children know about the building and to learn about the meaning of the word sanctuary.

Curriculum Links: History, RE, English

Learning Objective: To be able to talk about significant historical places in their own locality and to learn about a place of worship.

Look at an image of Beverley Minster, there’s a super one on the home page here > 

Can the children tell you about the building. What is it?

What do they think will be inside? What is the building used for? How old do they think it is? This could be completed as a talk activity or as writing. Explore the children’s ideas and discuss them. There is a wealth of information on the Beverley Minster website to support you in discussing the building and its uses here > 

Learning Objective: To be able to explore significant historical events .

In a talking circle, introduce the word “Sanctuary”. What do the children think this word means? Have they heard this word before? Take ideas from the circle and you may wish to look at the dictionary definition of sanctuary.

Explain that Beverley Minster was granted a right of sanctuary and this meant that people could go there to feel safe. There’s lots of supporting information on the sanctuary pages here > 

What makes you feel safe? Sketch and label some of the things that make you feel safe.

Resources: Pencils, paper, access to Beverley Minster website.

Before you visit

It would be helpful to discuss Beverley Minster as a historical building and place of worship and to ascertain what the children know about the building. You may also wish to find out about the people that sought sanctuary at Beverley Minster.

Curriculum Links

History, RE, English

Learning Objective: To be able to research local history.

Support the class in researching Beverley Minster’s rich history, there is lots of information on the website www.beverleyminster.org.uk

Minster fact finding task

Can you find out about Beverley Minster? What would you like to know prior to your visit? What do you consider to be important information? Conduct some internet research about the Minster and create a fact sheet or informative video which you present to your class.

Learning Objective: To be able to consider justice and freedom.

Explain that Beverley Minster was granted a right of sanctuary and this meant that fugitives could come to the Minster seeking safety. There’s lots of supporting information on the sanctuary pages of the website here >

Watch the “John Wright” video on the Beverley Minster sanctuary home page here >  This explains all about the history of sanctuary at the Minster.

A sanctuary debate

Do you think fugitives should have been allowed to seek sanctuary? Write a persuasive piece for or against fugitives seeking sanctuary in the Minster. You can research further to support your argument.

Resources: Internet access, IPAD or recording device, pencils, paper, access to Beverley Minster website.

Learning Objective: To be able to collect ideas for writing and record a narrative about a personal experience.

Curriculum links: History, RE, English, Art

JOB ADVERT: 

WRITERS AND ARTISTS WANTED FOR BEVERLEY MINSTER PROJECT

Do you have what it takes? Can you remember facts about Beverley Minster? Are you good at writing and drawing? If so, we have a very important job for you!

We want you to create your very own guidebook for Beverley Minster. You are in charge of making it. It can include writing and pictures or just labelled pictures. It could be digital pages or produced with pen and paper.

When producing this guide to the Minster think about:

Important facts about Beverley Minster

The things you learned on your visit

Things you saw and heard on your visit

Things that people will think are important about this very special place

Note for teachers: This activity could be set as a whole class activity in which you assign different parts of the guide book to your class to create one large book. Feel free to share your finished books with the team at the Minster, we love to see what our young visitors create!

Resources: IPADS (for digital books) Drawing equipment, A4 or A3 paper.

Learning Objective: 

To write a recount of a visit to Beverley Minster in the form of a newspaper article.

Curriculum links: History, RE, English, Art

JOURNALIST REQUIRED – MUST HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF BEVERLEY MINSTER

Do you have what it takes to write an exciting and captivating newspaper report about Beverley Minster? Have you recently visited this historic building? Can you recall information and facts about the building?

YOU MAY BE JUST WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR!

Produce a newspaper report about Beverley Minster including historical facts, things to do and see and a description of what sanctuary means at Beverley Minster. 

This could be a digital piece or could be completed on paper. 

Don’t forget to add illustrations and/or photographs.

Things to consider:

What are the important historical facts about the Minster?

What will visitors see in this very special place of worship?

What does sanctuary mean and how can people find out more about this at Beverley Minster?

What was important to you when you visited?

Why should someone else take the time to visit? 

What will they enjoy the most?

Resources: IPADS (for digital books), drawing equipment, A4 or A3 paper.