As part of their study of the Tudor period, students “met” Lady Jane Grey through an interactive online session, where an actor portrayed the young queen on the eve of her execution in 1554. Known as the “Nine Days Queen”, Jane’s dramatic story brought the political tensions of the Tudor era vividly to life.

In preparation for the session, students explored a range of fascinating original historical documents provided by The National Archives, including letters, royal proclamations and records connected to Jane’s life. This helped them to develop thoughtful and insightful questions, which they confidently posed during the live discussion.

The workshop also reflects our commitment to extending opportunities for all students. Through opportunities like this, our students can access the same high-quality resources and expertise as those anywhere in the country.

Year 7 impressed throughout the session with their curiosity and maturity, asking questions about Jane’s childhood, her education, her religious beliefs, and the events that led to her short reign and tragic downfall. The session encouraged them to think critically about historical evidence and to understand that history is often based on interpretation as well as fact.

This was a fantastic opportunity to bring history to life beyond the classroom, and we are incredibly proud of how our students embraced the experience.