Primary Teacher Residential

About this residential

Are you looking for new ways to bring history to life in the classroom? Do you want to develop your history teaching at Key Stage 1 or 2? Join us for a two-day CPD residential where you will immerse yourself in extraordinary tales from Tower of London’s history.

During this residential you will enhance your skills in examining historical evidence and build confidence in dynamic methods of storytelling in the classroom, nurturing students to be storytellers.

This residential, devised in collaboration with professional storyteller Olivia Armstrong, will use Tower of London’s rich history of people, objects and even animals, as inspiration to share techniques for participatory storytelling. We will investigate how stories can be used to bring the past to life, promote empathy and enhance historical vocabulary amongst students.

What to expect:

A dynamic range of activities, including interactive building tours, talks, object handling workshops and storytelling sessions
Evening events, including the Ceremony of the Keys at Tower of London
A toolkit applying storytelling skills developed on this course
The chance to connect with peers and share best practice
Fully funded meals, accommodation, and activities
From 3pm Thursday 17 September 2026 - 4pm Saturday 19 September 2026

Booking information

Where:
Tower of London

When:
From 3pm Thursday 17 September 2026 - 4pm Saturday 19 September 2026

Price:
Free (including accommodation, meals and activities)

To book:
Complete this online application form telling us how this course would benefit you and your school. Applications for the residential will be open until Monday 8 June at 09.00.

Please note: if the event is oversubscribed, we will give priority to teachers from state-funded schools.

Apply for a space

About Olivia Armstrong

Olivia Armstrong has been a performance storyteller for almost twenty years, working with all ages and communities in many major heritage sites, including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, St Paul’s Cathedral, the British Museum, the National Gallery, the British Library and for Historic Royal Palaces. She has facilitated storytelling training for staff and teachers at the Young V&A, the Science Museum, Royal Museums Greenwich, Royal Collections Trust, Children and the Arts and English Heritage. 

“Thank you for letting me in to the best cpd I have ever had.”

Teacher residential participant

“This has been the most amazing experience and I have had the opportunity to learn so much.”