Carlisle Cathedral as an Educational Resource

For many years the Cathedral has been a resource for all those engaged in education. As the mother church of the Diocese, it encourages parishes to attend worship and to learn something about their Cathedral, and it is the venue for displays of work and for musical and dramatic events performed by schools and other groups.

In February 1993 the Prior's Tower Education Centre was opened and it now provides a base for work with schools. Many types of school visits are catered for, ranging from a straightforward tour of the Cathedral, looking at history, architecture and worship and visits planned as part of a Religious Education topic, to an extended (2 hour) visit, called the 'Monastic Experience'.

Cathedral tours are offered to all age groups from Key Stage 1 upwards and activities and worksheets are available. The aim of these tours is to show the Cathedral as a place of worship from the 12th century to the present day, drawing attention to how the Cathedral and the other buildings on the site have developed through the centuries.

Schools following any Religious Education syllabus will be exploring topics such as special Places, Colour, Light, etc. as well as looking at the beliefs and practices of Christianity.

A visit to the Cathedral can be of great value, perhaps following up one to the parish church, particularly for Primary children. Older students may visit as part of a History or Art and Architecture course.

The popular 'Monastic Experience' is offered mainly to Junior and Lower Secondary children and fits in well with medieval studies as well as Religious Education. It involves children actively in a simulated monastic day, wearing habits, processing to the Cathedral for one of the monastic services, exploring the Prior's Tower and doing practical activities such as calligraphy, cloister games, clay modelling and art work. Again the aim is to provide a worthwhile experience, relating the monastic history of the Cathedral to its life and work in the present.

Also in the Prior's Tower is a collection of dolls in period costume, representing the Kings and Queens of England from Norman times to the present day. Of particular interest are Henry I who founded the monastery of Augustinian canons in Carlisle, Henry VIII, who suppressed the monasteries, with his six wives, and Queen Elizabeth II and her family.

The Educational work of the Cathedral is seen as a developing area with a great deal to offer. Over the last few years we have welcomed numerous school and Sunday school groups from all over Cumbria, together with others from many parts of Britain.

A Monastic Experience
For groups of school children aged 7 years upwards

What is it?
An exciting way of discovering something about the life of monks in the Middle Ages, with special reference to the Augustinian Canons of Carlisle. This experience fits in well with both Religious Education and History in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools.

For further information please contact us.