It has been a pleasure to be teaching history again this half term to year 7 and recently I set my class the task of creating their own Motte and Bailey castles, which were typically used in this country following the Norman conquest. These castles had very distinctive features and were quick and cheap to build; ideal for defence and establishing rule quickly – two of William I’s priorities.

On Wednesday this week, year 7 arrived at my lesson with their responses to the task.They were delighted with their efforts and I was thrilled with the effort they had put into the work and the quality of the final outcomes!