St Oswald’s Pupils Enjoy Royal Adventure At Newcastle Castle

Young pupils from St Oswald’s Catholic Primary swapped the classroom for one of Newcastle’s most historic landmarks as they stepped back in time for a royal adventure at Newcastle Castle.

The group of 30 Year 1 children visited the Black Gate and Castle Keep as part of their History topic on kings and queens. The trip gave pupils the chance to explore the city’s medieval past in a hands-on way, helping them understand what life may have been like inside a castle hundreds of years ago.

The visit has become a much-loved part of the school calendar and marked the fifth time St Oswald’s has taken pupils to Newcastle Castle for the experience.

Bringing History Lessons To Life In Newcastle.

For many of the children, the trip offered their first real chance to connect what they had learned in class with a genuine historic setting. Instead of simply reading about castles, royalty and medieval life, pupils were able to walk through the rooms, gates and stone spaces that form part of Newcastle’s rich heritage.

Year 1 Class Teacher Gemma Summersby accompanied the pupils on the visit, along with Teaching Assistant Simran Kakwani and parent volunteers.

Mrs Summersby said the children had been learning about kings and queens in their History lessons and that Newcastle Castle provided the perfect opportunity to deepen their understanding.

“During the trip, the children had a tour of the Black Gate and Castle Keep, to explore what life would be like in a mediaeval castle,” she said.

The pupils were introduced to different areas of the castle and encouraged to think about how the building was designed, who might have lived and worked there, and why castles were so important in the past.

Exploring The Black Gate And Castle Keep.

During the visit, the children learned about the key features of Newcastle Castle, including the defensive design of the Keep and the role of the Black Gate. They discovered how thick stone walls, narrow windows and strong entrances helped protect those inside while making it difficult for attackers to get in.

The trip also helped pupils understand that castles were not only homes for important people, but also working buildings filled with different jobs and responsibilities. Children were taught about the roles people would have taken on inside the castle and how each person contributed to daily life.

Mrs Summersby explained that the pupils were able to explore the different jobs in the castle before enjoying their own royal banquet and taking on castle roles themselves.

The interactive nature of the visit meant the children could imagine themselves as part of castle life, turning the lesson into a memorable experience rather than a traditional classroom activity.

A Royal Banquet For Young Learners.

One of the highlights of the day was the chance for pupils to enjoy their own royal banquet. The activity gave the children a fun way to think about how kings, queens and castle communities may have gathered, celebrated and shared food in medieval times.

By taking on different castle roles, pupils were able to build confidence while using their imagination. The experience encouraged them to ask questions, work together and make links between the past and present.

For young children, experiences like this can be especially valuable because they help make complex topics easier to understand. Instead of simply being told about medieval castles, pupils were able to see, touch and explore the environment for themselves.

Why Educational Visits Matter.

St Oswald’s Catholic Primary, which is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, places importance on learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. The Newcastle Castle trip has become a regular fixture because it supports pupils’ academic progress while also helping their wider personal development.

Mrs Summersby said educational visits play an important role in helping children understand their subjects more deeply.

“Educational visits like this trip are an important part of learning, because they bring the curriculum to life through real experiences,” she said. “They help children develop confidence, independence, teamwork, and social skills, while encouraging curiosity and engagement.”

She added that visits also create memorable opportunities that deepen understanding and support children’s personal, social and academic development.

A Memorable Day At A Newcastle Landmark.

Newcastle Castle remains one of the city’s most recognisable historic attractions, offering visitors a glimpse into the origins of Newcastle and its medieval story. For the pupils from St Oswald’s, the visit was more than a day out - it was a chance to connect with the history of their own city.

The trip helped children see that history is not only something found in books, but something that can be explored in real places close to home. By visiting the Castle Keep and Black Gate, pupils were able to build a stronger understanding of Newcastle’s past while enjoying an exciting and engaging school experience.

As the children returned to school, they took with them new knowledge, new memories and a better sense of how life in a medieval castle may have looked, sounded and felt.

Did you ever visit Newcastle Castle on a school trip, or have you taken your family there recently? Share your experiences in the comments below.