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Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Vanbrugh 300 is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to develop a nationwide project that aims to broaden the awareness of Vanbrugh through special displays, free education programmes and lectures, throughout his tercentenary year in 2026.
Classes from state primary schools (KS1 and KS2) across the UK are participating in a full package of FREE learning activities as part of Vanbrugh 300.
The Schools programme consists of the following:
Places on the schools programme are now full at the majority of sites but there is still space available for school visits to Blenheim Palace and Seaton Delaval Hall.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at: vanbrugh300@georgiangroup.org.uk
Teachers’ Resource Pack and Lesson Plans
The Teachers’ Resource Pack provides everything you need to confidently work with your students to explore the life and work of Sir John Vanbrugh and to support your site visit. These resources are available to all schools (including home learners) regardless of whether or not you have booked a site visit.
The Resource Pack includes:
There are four lesson plans available for both KS1 and KS2 to deliver with your class - two to deliver before your site visit and two to deliver following your visit. Deliver all four or pick and choose to suit you and your class and the time you have available for the project.
Lesson plans include clear curriculum links to the following subject areas:
You can download all the resources here:
Teachers' Resource Pack and Lesson Plans (Key Stage 1)
PowerPoint Resource (Key Stage 1)
Teachers' Resource Pack and Lesson Plans (Key Stage 2)
PowerPoint Resource (Key Stage 2)
The heritage site visits are now fully booked at the majority of sites but there is still space available for schools to visit either Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire or Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland.
If you are interested in booking a heritage site visit at either of these sites throughout the Spring and Summer term 2026 or if you have any questions, please feel free to email us: vanbrugh300@georgiangroup.org.uk
CPD Days
As part of Vanbrugh300, we are offering a series of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) days designed to support teachers in making the most of their school visits and integrating creative learning into the classroom.
Each CPD day begins with a guided tour of the historic site..
The day will provide a toolkit of creative teaching approaches and practical techniques that can be applied across the whole curriculum. Teachers will be introduced to the pre- and post-visit lesson materials which employ many of these creative learning techniques Participants will step into the role of learners, experiencing the sessions as their pupils would, gaining confidence in delivering the content back in school.
Dates of CPD days:
Seaton Delaval Hall - Monday 9th February 10am - 3.30pm
Blenheim Palace - Friday 27 February 10am - 3.30pm
Castle Howard - Monday 18 May 10am - 3.30pm
Vanbrugh300 Site Visit
While the precise structure of each school visit varies slightly between sites, most visits include a combination of guided exploration of the site and hands-on design activities inspired by Sir John Vanbrugh’s architecture.
Guided Site Tour (45–60 minutes)
Each visit will include a tour of the heritage site, adapted specifically for children and young people. These tours place a special focus on Vanbrugh’s work and legacy, helping pupils understand the buildings through engaging storytelling and observation.
At Castle Howard, where a schools programme is currently in development), a new teacher-led tour and accompanying pupil worksheets are being created. These resources will continue to support school and family learning beyond the life of the project.
Teacher-Led Activity
Included in the Teachers’ Resource pack is a worksheet activity that can be used flexibly during the site visit. This enables pupils to explore key features of the site, record observations, and gather inspiration that they will later use in both their workshop during their site visit and in the follow-up classroom activities back at school.
Hands-On Design Workshop (60 minutes)
Pupils will take part in a one-hour practical design workshop inspired by Vanbrugh’s architecture and theatrical imagination. Drawing on the shapes, features, and visual language of the buildings they have explored, pupils will design their own wearable “Vanbrugh-inspired” creations.
Key Stage 1 workshops focus on recognising and using 2D shapes.
Key Stage 2 workshops explore 2Dshapes and 3D forms, structure, and architectural design features.
These workshops aim to:
Castle Howard: Play Shapes
For school groups visiting Castle Howard instead of a design workshop, students will have the opportunity to build their own Vanbrugh-inspired structures with a bespoke set of Play Shapes created by artist Pippa Hale and inspired by the design of the site. These will also form the basis of family activities during the Vanbrugh weekend, offering a playful and hands-on way to explore architectural form and design.
For Families
Between March and August 2026, a special Vanbrugh weekend will be held at each of the six heritage sites. There will be FREE performances and creative workshops for families scheduled across these weekends so watch this space for dates and details and come and join the fun!
Training
As well as schools, communities and families, the Vanbrugh 300 education programme will also extend to the staff and volunteers at each of the Vanbrugh sites across the UK.