MI5: TOP SECRET

What do the documents reveal about the hidden world of MI5?

This workshop is inspired by our new exhibition, MI5: Official Secrets. In this interactive session, students will explore documents compiled throughout the history of the Security Service – more commonly known as MI5. These sources include photographs, letters, objects, hidden codes and spycraft gadgets. Students will explore the organisation’s role in espionage during the Second World War, what spies are, their methods and techniques, and gather information about significant people who have interacted with MI5.  

This workshop will be available from 23 April and will run throughout the duration of the exhibition.

What to expect in the onsite workshop: 

The two-hour workshop is led by an experienced history educator in an inspiring learning space at The National Archives in Kew. Students will participate in groupwork to uncover information for a historical enquiry about the people involved with MI5 and their methods of working. Learners will have the unique opportunity to handle original documents and develop skills in evidential thinking to investigate what these documents reveal about spies working for MI5 as well as German espionage. They will also have the chance to interact with the exhibition to enhance their understanding of MI5 as an organisation and its history of securing the nation. 

Links to the curriculum: 

This session supports KS2 students focusing on a thematic study in British history (beyond 1066), with a focus on the Second World War era. There are also curriculum links to significant people for KS1 History and English (spoken language skills).