Anticipation, Expectation and Reconnaissance

Visits off site are viewed with anticipation and expectancy. One of the first visits I arranged was in the summer term of my first year of teaching in Stroud, Gloucestershire. I thought this would be an excellent opportunity for the children in a lower junior class to explore a real castle. As the school was within a reasonable distance of a castle in the Welsh marches, I duly talked to the head teacher, booked a coach, wrote to the organisation overseeing the site, and sent letters home to the children's parents and guardians.

I did a Saturday reconnoitre of the site soon afterwards. I found a splendid example of a ruined keep, surrounded by...