At Oxford Castle - Unlocked your class can experienc 1,000 years of history in one place and hear about real events that took place here.

This site was used as a place of incarceration from 1071, when the castle was built, until the closure of the prison in 1996 .

Investigating these historic castle and prison buildings will fire your children s imaginations and connec them with their local heritage in the city and the county.

After centuries hidden behind walls, the site recently opened to the public revealing episodes of violence, executions, great escapes betrayal and even romance.

This is a place which can reall bring the history children ar e learning about to life.

The guides take you on a fascinating tour up St George Tower to see the stunning panoramic views of the city, and then down into the atmospheri underground crypt. In the prison wing you will discover the remarkable stories of the gaol inhabitants over the centuries.

In addition to the standard tour school parties can enhance thei visit with a cross-curricula workshop, linked to the Nationa Curriculum and led by the learning and access officer.

These sessions offer a mix of evidence handling, problem solving , role playing, storytelling and creativ art, to inspire pupils and activel engage them in learning.

The hands-on activities for all ages and ability levels stimulate and develop pupils thinking, questioning and observation skills Recent visitors have described the benefits of a school visit as: "seeing smelling and feeling the atmospher e of a real castle and prison" providing "first-hand experience knowledgeable guides and a stimulating environment", and "rea l objects and buildings far mor motivational and engaging".

Workshops cater for all age covering a broad spectrum of subjects spanning key stages one t five. They include KING OF THE CASTLE - discove castle life across the age CLUES FROM THE PAST - hands-on session exploring how w know about the past VICTORIAN CHILD PRISONERS -experience the prison regime first-hand EYE SPY - create artwork using texture, shape, colour and imagination CASTLE CHALLENGE - uncove the science and technology behind building and attacking a castle GCSE SHP - appreciate , contextualise and evaluate the visible remains of the past BUSINESS STUDIES AND LEISURE AND TOURISM - marketing, customer service, and more.

The learning and access officer a Oxford castle said: "We understand how important it is to integrate a visi t with classroom study and will tailor a visit to meet your needs wher e possible.

"We are keen to hear from teachers working on specia l projects. Last year we hosted a fantastic school production based on the diaries of Antony Wood, an 17t century Oxford antiquary.

"We are also proud to have been awarded the Investors in Education award by the Oxfordshire Education Business Partnership. This awar d recognises the commitmen t Oxfor Castle - Unlocked has made to the education of young people b helping teachers to unlock interest in our past heritage through a divers range of subjects." All teachers interested in bringing a group are welcome to go on a free familiarisation visit and will receive on booking, the free teachers pack including essential visit information and ideas, devised in collaboration with practising teachers.

Other benefits for pre-booked schools include priority discounted admission, coach drop-off point cloakroom, AV and ICT facilities and lunch space. Why not combine your visit to Oxford Castle - Unlocked with the British Waterways Cana l Trail, which starts from the prison entrance?

As well as the work with school s in term time , Oxford Castle - Unlocked also offers events fo families in the school holidays During half term (February 18 to 22 you can take part in Bug Week where you join a tour of the ancien castle following the picture bug trail.

See what creepy crawlies you ca spot in Oxford s most famous cell and then create your own bug.

On Sunday, February 24, the castle is running Mini Monste demonstrations, at which visitors can handle real bugs - such a giant African land snails Madagascan hissing cockroache and giant millipedes - and find out about their environments, welfar e and conservation.

The education programme a Oxford Castle has been made possible as part of the Oxfor Preservation Trust Castleyar scheme, completed at the end of 2007 with the help of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The learning and access office post is funded by Oxfordshir e County Council, which owns the freehold to the Castle. Find out mor about the trust s work at www. oxfor d preservation. org. uk.

To find out more about the education and events programme , call 01865 260668, e-mail education@oxfordcastleunlocked.

co. uk, or visit the website : www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk

10:06am Tuesday 29th January 2008

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