Teacher Resources

We have a range of free resources to support teachers and home educators. Our Learning From Home sessions explore different aspects of Roman life, while the Museum From Home library is full of creative ideas.

Why not head to our online catalogue and explore the collections? The Colchester Through Time series is a great place to start if you’re looking at local history!

Downloadable Resources

KS3 Siege Resources

The Siege of Colchester 1648

A resource to help KS3 teachers in the classroom, covering the subject of the English Civil War and the Siege of Colchester.

KS2 Siege Resources

The Siege of Colchester 1648

A resource to help KS2 teachers in the classroom, covering the subject of the English Civil War and the Siege of Colchester.

Hidden Histories

Wicked Spirits

A resource for those teaching GCSE and A Level history and focusing on the witch trials.

Hidden Histories

LGBT+ History

From the Iron Age to modern Colchester, discover museum collections that can support discussions of previously untold stories.

This teacher’s resource is suitable for KS3 children (ages 11-14).

Hidden Histories

West African Gold

We have used medieval gold objects to tell the story of the great empires and the influence they had on Europe.

This teacher’s resource is suitable for KS2 children (ages 7-11).

Hidden Histories

The Catalan Atlas

Inspired by our West African Gold display, this worksheet is suitable for KS3 children (ages 11-14).

The Catalan Atlas represents the known regions of the world in 1375!

Hidden Histories

Mansa Musa

Inspired by our West African Gold display, this worksheet is suitable for KS3 children (ages 11-14).

Leader of the empire of Mali from around 1280, Mansa Musa is the richest person who ever lived!

Learning From Home: Session 1

Before the Romans

Our e-resources on Roman Colchester support teaching children in KS2 (ages 7-11).

First up, we look at just how much the Romans influenced life in Britain.

Learning From Home: Session 2

Roman Towns

Our e-resources on Roman Colchester support teaching children in KS2 (ages 7-11).

Explore where the Romans lived and what different buildings we used for.

Learning From Home: Session 3

Roman Homes

Our e-resources on Roman Colchester support teaching children in KS2 (ages 7-11).

From culinas to latrinas, explore the different rooms in a Roman House!

Learning From Home: Session 4

Roman Religion

Our e-resources on Roman Colchester support teaching children in KS2 (ages 7-11).

Learn about the hundreds of different gods and goddesses the Romans worshipped!

Learning From Home: Session 5

Roman Entertainment

Our e-resources on Roman Colchester support teaching children in KS2 (ages 7-11).

We’ve got theatres, gladiators and board games. “Are you not entertained?!“

Learning From Home: Session 6

Roman Science

Our e-resources on Roman Colchester support teaching children in KS2 (ages 7-11).

Discover the range of things we use today, which were brought to us by the Romans!

Introduction to Archaeology

The presentation and activities are designed to prepare your class for their visit to Colchester Castle. They can also be used following the visit to reinforce ideas discussed.

Teacher's notes

Bronze Age

An overview of Bronze Age Essex with activity examples and detailed descriptions of bronze age objects in the collections of Colchester and Ipswich Museums.

Teacher's notes

Fenwick Hoard

The Fenwick Hoard is a significant set of evidence for the history of Colchester and is on display at the Castle. It gives insight into Roman daily life, military, fashion, and the devastating effects of the Boudican Revolt.

Teacher's notes

Learning from Objects

The presentation and activities are designed to help teachers use objects with their classes. They can also be used following a visit to reinforce the ideas discussed.

Teacher's notes

Worksheet

Stone Age

An overview of Stone Age Essex with activity examples and detailed descriptions of Stone Age objects in the collections of Colchester and Ipswich Museums.

Teacher's notes

Museum From Home

The Siege Diaries

The Siege of Colchester lasted from 12th June to 28th August 1648. As part of the commemoration events that happened across Colchester in 2023, we produced a series of short films that document the life of one royalist soldier who found himself trapped within the town walls.

Collections Online

We hold over 200,000 records of objects, documents, artefacts and specimens: from Natural Science collections spanning millions of years, to a wide range of Social History objects!

Visit The Catalogue

Dead Interesting

What did a Roman funeral look, sound, and smell like? And how can you tell just from a person’s remains?

We have partnered with FutureLearn and the University of Reading to bring you a FREE, online archaeology course. Aimed at adults, this exciting new course is for anyone with a keen interest in history and archaeology, particularly Roman Britain. Participants can learn in their own time, at their own pace and on any device with an internet connection. The course is designed to last two weeks with a recommended study time of two hours per week.

Museum From Home

Looking for things to do? We have a wide variety of activities to educate and entertain all ages. Inspired by the collections across Colchester and Ipswich, from art to nature, archaeology to social history, let us bring the museum to you!

You can follow us on social media for new ideas or find our library below.

#MuseumFromHome

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Schools Newsletter

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Keep up to date with our latest educational offers and projects by subscribing to our schools mailing list. You’ll receive regular emails with the latest news from Colchester Castle, Hollytrees Museum and the Natural History Museum.

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What's On

Museums Events

Events

Discover something new in Colchester. Browse the diary to find fun, family-friendly events all year round.

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Museums Exhibitions

Exhibitions + Displays

Our displays showcase the variety of the collections from art to archaeology, costume to clocks.

Where will your adventure start?