Accessibility
Explore how we try to provide comfortable access to our collections and services to all visitors.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Workshops
We offer a dedicated learning programme for students with special educational needs and disabilities.
We offer interactive workshops that can be delivered at The National Archives, online or at schools in London and the South East.
All of our sessions are free of charge to UK schools and will be tailored to the needs of your students.
Sessions are suitable for all ages, from Key Stage 1 to post-16, for students following an informal, semi-formal or formal curriculum. They are delivered by an SEND specialist.
We offer a personalised booking service and dedicated onsite minibus parking. Our site is fully accessible and has dedicated lunch and breakout spaces.
SEND sessions we offer
Our SEND workshops can be delivered at The National Archives, at your school or online via Zoom. There are also online teaching resources available for you to use in your classroom.
All workshops are offered on dates and times to suit you and the facilitator.
Education session
Henry's royal rules SEND session
This workshop, aimed at students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), looks at the daily life of Henry VIII.
Education session
Travel smart through time SEND session
This fun and informative session, designed for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), explores different types of transport.
Education session
4099 is my name SEND session
This immersive experience, aimed at students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), explores the story of child prisoner William Towers.
Education session
Sensing the archives
This workshop programme is designed for students who are blind or visually impaired. Students use tactile props and audio to explore documents.
Contact us
Please contact us to book a session, or find out more information and how we can meet your students’ needs.
- Telephone
- 020 3908 9162
- educationbookings@nationalarchives.gov.uk
Resources
Tactile 3D printer models
Do you have access to a 3D printer? If so, you can download these STL files for free and print them!
The National Archives and All Able Ltd have embarked on a pilot project to create tactile alternatives for a selection of our records. The National Archives wants everyone to be able to engage with our records and the history they represent. This project has been focussed on creating tactile alternatives to support wider SEND engagement. Teachers might also want to use tactile document models like these in a variety of learning situations.
These models were developed by George Rhodes for our Sensing the Archives workshop, aimed at blind and visually impaired students.
3D printer tactile models
Discover our free downloadable 3D printer files of tactile historic documents, created to support Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) students.
Archives vocabulary list
This vocabulary list can be used to prepare your students for words they will hear during their time at The National Archives.
- The National Archives
A building where special things/documents made by the British government are kept forever.
- British government
A group of politicians who decide what happens in Britain. It is led by the Prime Minister.
- Archive
A collection of documents relating to topics or people.
- Document
A piece of information for example, letters, photographs, drawings and reports.
- Archive box
A special strong box where documents are kept in repositories.
- Repository
A room where archive boxes are stored. Repositories are kept cool and dark.
- Special
Something which is very important or rare.