What a carve up!
Year 8 enjoyed their history visit to Fairfax House, a fully restored Georgian townhouse, and the opportunity to study historical evidence at first hand. As an integral part of the new GCSE curriculum, students are required to study the historic environment and how it has helped to shape our understanding of the past. In light of this, our year 8 pupils’ visit to Fairfax house provided a good introduction to the role of historical evidence. In particular pupils were able to gaze upon the amazing work of Britain’s leading carver, Grinling Gibbons, the subject of a remarkable exhibition. Amongst other things, they were able to view the sort of tools that he would have used to complete his masterpieces. The exhibition, as well as the fabric and permanent collection of the house, assist pupils to better understand and appreciate the development of trade industry, the lifestyle, tastes and ideas, of previous generations. They are able to admire the quality of workmanship produced by previous generations. Here’s what some of our students thought:
“It was a good opportunity to see Grinling Gibbons work” – Sophia
“I thought that the carvings by Grinling Gibbons were astounding and the rooms were beautiful” – Freddie
“The woodcarvings of Grinling Gibbons were intriguing and the house of Fairfax was very fancy.” – Minsung
“The carvings were interesting and informative about the time they came from.” – Arthur
