Welcome teachers new to the Time Travelling Experience. 

Here you will find out how the pilgrimage runs and what to expect from your day out.  We look forward to working with you.

The Time travelling team is led by experienced Primary School Teachers, and the day is designed to be curriculum relevant, supporting the teaching of RE.  You will find useful "classroom packs" containing a whole term's work for RE on our main teacher page, along with the "Supplementary material" to go with each year's theme.  The children's pages contain facts, games, news and pictures for children to use in preparation or follow up.  We aim to provide a quality educational visit in a safe, caring environment.  All our team members are CRB checked and we take the safety of your children very seriously.  Time and time again, teachers who bring their classes comment on the excellent organisation of the day and the fact that they are able to join in and enjoy being with their pupils.

Organisation is the same for both key stages:

1.  You fill in a booking form telling us your choice of dates and how many children you are bringing.

2.  We contact you to tell you which day you have been allocated, how many groups we need you to organise your children into, and which badges they should wear - these are downloadable on the teachers' page.  We also send you a checklist and complete guide.

3.  You book a bus to get you to Southwell for 9.45 and enjoy learning the songs with your children.

4.  When you arrive at Southwell, you will be checked in by us and your Pilgrim Guides will be waiting to greet you, carrying banners which match the children's badges.  The guide will be with you all day, making sure you don't get lost and that the children feel welcome.

5.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the day with your children.

KEY STAGE 1:  takes place for one week in June and lasts from 9.45am - 12.30pm. 

Your Pilgrim Guide will meet you and lead you into the building, where all schools gather together for a short act of worship (welcome and singing - songs downloaded and learned in advance).  Your guides lead you to participate in four varied activities.  These are as practical as possible and include activities based on the building or faith.  A typical morning might include: prayer (making a fridge magnet), drama (the story of Noah), an outside tour (using fans to spot shapes) and baptism (dressing up as guests and seeing a "baby" joining the Christian family.)  All are designed to support the teaching of RE as set out in the QCA and the Nottinghamshire Agreed Syllabus for RE.

Our friendly team of volunteer staff: guides, activity base leaders and helpers are all there to welcome the pilgrims and make sure their morning runs smoothly.

After a busy morning the visit ends with another short time of worship, reflection and our candle ceremony.  You can bring a packed lunch and eat in the lovely Minster grounds or the park, using the Minster in the afternoon if you wish.

We can accommodate up to 600 children per day, who make their pilgrimage in groups of 15 - 20.  If you would like to come, bookings are taken from September preceding the event on a strictly first come, first served basis.  Booking forms and information are sent into all schools and are on the website from September .

KEY STAGE 2:  Our two week KS2 event is in March from 9.45am until 2.30pm.  This event is suitable for all key stage 2 children. 

Children are met at the start of the day by their guide, who stays with their group all day, leading, welcoming and befriending.  The dramatic procession and entrance through the great west door, is followed by an opening act of worship (welcome and singing).  Schools can download our music pack so that they can learn our songs in advance.  

A busy morning follows, with four varied activities, designed to support the teaching of the RE curriculum, and based on the building and faith practices and beliefs.  Children bring a packed lunch to eat in venues we provide, and three more activities happen in the afternoon.  Activities may include: Communion, Fair Trade (testing chocolate), Chapter House (looking at and sketching carvings), Choir (dressing up and singing), Prayer (making a bracelet) and The Stations of the Cross (tactile session). 

The day ends with another short act of worship and our traditional candle ceremony.

We play host to about 500 children every day from schools across the county.  Many of these schools come year after year - their visit to the Minster being a central event in their calendar.

If you would like to come, bookings are taken from September preceding the event on a strictly first come, first served basis.  Booking forms and information will be in schools and on the website from September. 

NB:  teachers should be reassured that our volunteer team is sensitive to the fact that they may be working with children of other faiths or none, and so no child is expected to join in with faith practices unless they wish to do so. 

Special schools may be accommodated by prior arrangement. 

If you have any concerns or questions, do phone and speak to Diana or Emma about this.