Delivered through the 1988 Charitable Trust, The Company will provide opportunities to develop learning and broaden and deepen current studies with the focus on opportunities for local children.
The Merchant Adventurers’ Experience
All Key Stage 2 classes in York are invited to book a free half day school visit to the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall. The funding for this visit also covers the cost of transport to and from the Hall.
Visits can be tailored to specific areas of the curriculum and the themes currently on offer include:
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Tudors-Introduction to the Hall and Company of Merchant Adventurers and links to notable Tudors, an opportunity to see letters written by Henry VIII & Elizabeth I and Tudor trading game (can include an early music workshop)
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Medieval period-Introduction to the Hall and Company of Merchant Adventurers, a closer look at how the medieval carpenters built the Hall, history detective hunt (can include early music workshop)
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History of trade and the rivers in York-Introduction to the Hall and Company of Merchant Adventurers, history of trade at the Hall and in York, Tudor trading game, two rivers Hall hunt
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Medicine through the ages- Introduction to the Hall, medieval medicine activity, exploration of the Undercroft, Trinity Hospital in the Victorian period activity
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Entertainment & Leisure in Britain through the ages-Introduction to the Hall, early music workshop, feasting activity, traditions of the Hall activity
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Black death-Introduction to the Black Death, how the disease affected York, medieval medicine activity, covid pandemic and black death comparison activity
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Victorians and the Industrial Revolution in York-Introduction to the notable Victorians with links to the Hall, building a business in 1850s York activity, Trinity Hospital in the Victorian period activity
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Shakespeare- Performance of Romeo & Juliet by Fourwheel Drive Theatre, Q & A session with the actors, Tudor & Jacobean portraits activity, Shakespeare quotes game
All visits include a balance of exploration, activities and provide unique out of classroom learning experiences.
The Merchant Adventurers’ Business & Enterprise course with York ISSP (Independent State School Partnership)
Since 2023 two cohorts of forty Year 9 and 10 children, from ten York schools have taken part in a six- week course focused on the skills needed to start a business. The students have learnt how to develop ideas, test concepts and solve problems. They have to explore market research and their communication skills are honed through branding, marketing and public relations exercises.
The course has been delivered by expert ISSP tutors while Merchant Adventurers support through mentoring and sharing their experiences. The students also take part in a lesson held at Betty’s tearoom and hear the inspiring story of how that iconic local business has grown into an international brand.
The course concludes with a presentation at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall. Each team pitching their business concept to an audience of parents and Merchant Adventurers — and the winning team chosen by an expert panel. This course provides a unique opportunity for young people in our city and is perhaps the beginning of their journey to becoming Merchant Adventurers of the future!
Apprenticeship Support
A new apprenticeship support project will launch in autumn 2024. As national governance of training, education and trading standards has developed the link between the Merchant Adventurers, employers and their apprentices has almost dissolved. The Merchant Adventurers seek to reinvigorate this ancient connection through the sponsorship of prizes of excellence for the apprentice community in York and North and East Yorkshire.
Working with employers it will launch its first sponsorship prize in partnership with Derwent Training in 2024, seeking to expand to further colleges of further education and employers of apprentices in the coming years. Through this prize and recognition, it seeks to continue the mentoring and support to education and training developing essential skills and reward excellence.
For further details on any of the Merchant Adventurers’ education projects please contact Rebecca Francis, Ch***********@me***************.org
