Learning programme for schools

LSE Library offers a variety of school programmes (Key Stage 2 and 3+) including partnership programmes with the National Justice Museum, introduction to archives or publishing workshops, and bespoke archive sessions fit to your classroom’s interests and activities.

All archive sessions include an introduction to historical archives and an opportunity to engage with original materials.

Testimonial

This was an absolutely BRILLIANT session. Not only was [the session leader] extremely well prepared and engaging, but she gave access to incredible primary sources which left the children so excited, curious and engaged. The afternoon, after leaving, was spent thinking of all the ways they could carry on their investigation of the topic, and I have already been asked multiple times if they can return for more! Extremely grateful for the opportunity provided and the inspiring outreach that was shared with the group who left with a real spark for the subject.

LSE Library school workshops with the National Justice Museum

KS2 - Suffragettes: On Trial and In the Archives

Visit the National Justice Museum team at the Royal Courts of Justice and The Women’s Library archives at LSE for an immersive, cross-site day, exploring suffragette history through the lens of the story and trial of suffragette Elsie Duval.

In the historic Royal Courts of Justice, students will take part in a courtroom workshop in a real working courtroom. Stepping into all the courtroom roles from witnesses to lawyers, they will enact a mock-trial taking them back to 1912 where Elsie Duval has been accused of throwing stones at a post office window. Through exploring her motivations and deciding her fate, they’ll consider the important issues surrounding women’s rights, protest, and punishment.

After the trial, students will visit the LSE Library to explore The Women’s Library’s collection of historical documents, including diaries, letters, and newspaper articles directly related to Elsie Duval’s case and the suffrage movement. This interactive experience encourages discussion and critical thinking about fairness, and the fight for the right to vote.

Alongside the courtroom workshop session resources, teachers will also be provided with comprehensive pre-visit and post-visit resources to enhance students' learning in the classroom.

More information from the National Justice Museum

KS3+ - Protest: On Trial and in the Archives

Visit the National Justice Museum team at the Royal Courts of Justice and LSE Library for an immersive, cross-site day exploring protest, peace campaigning, and the law through the real-life trial of peace activist Pat Arrowsmith.

In the historic Royal Courts of Justice, students will take part in a courtroom workshop in a real working courtroom. Stepping into the roles of witnesses, lawyers, and jury members, they will re-enact the 1974 trial of Pat Arrowsmith, who was charged under the Incitement to Disaffection Act after distributing leaflets to British soldiers during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. As they hear the evidence and decide the verdict, students will consider the boundaries between free speech, protest, and national security.

After the trial, students will visit LSE Library to explore original archival material relating to peace campaigning, anti-war activism, and civil disobedience from the collections of Pat Arrowsmith and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). Through letters, pamphlets, photographs, and campaign literature, students will investigate the wider context of Pat Arrowsmith's activism and examine how campaigners have challenged government policy through peaceful protest.

More information from the National Justice Museum

Introduction to Archive session

A free session that can be adapted for Key Stage 2+

What is an archive, and how can we use one to find out about the past? In this introductory session, students discover how archives are collected, organised and preserved, and learn how to navigate LSE Library’s catalogue and digital collections. They will explore a selection of original archival materials connected to themes including the peace movement, women’s liberation, LGBTQ+ history and social welfare, considering what these sources can tell us about people, communities and social change.

By the end of the session, students will be able to:

• Explain what an archive is and why archives are collected and preserved.
• Understand how archival collections are organised and how this affects the way we find and interpret sources.
• Use an archive catalogue and digital collections to identify relevant material.
• Understand how to access and use archives, including how to prepare for an archive visit.
• Explore and interpret a range of primary sources, asking questions about who created them, why they were created and what they can tell us.
• Recognise that archives contain different perspectives and that some people and experiences may be better represented in the historical record than others.

Email library.learning@lse.ac.uk with your school name, year group, group size and preferred visit date, if interested.

LSE campus tours and introductory presentation combined with Introduction to Archives workshop

The Student Recruitment and Study Abroad team regularly host school visits which include a tour of LSE's campus and an introductory presentation. The presentation covers study options at LSE, student life and the application process.
In addition to this tour, LSE Library will provide a 1-hour Introduction to Archives workshop covering the various social history themes featured in our collections and how to use them. (See above for full description).

If you would like to be considered for an introductory presentation and campus tour, submit your request to The Student Recruitment and Study Abroad team.

Your request will be considered by the Student Recruitment and Study Abroad team subject to availability. This option is only available for students in year 12 or above.

More information for teachers and schools

Introduction to publishing workshop

A free session that can be adapted for Key Stage 3+

In this session, students will learn about how book publishing works, how a book is made; from the initial idea to the finished product, what makes a good book cover, and how books can change the world.

Getting behind-the-scenes access to what it's like working for a professional academic publisher, students will expand their knowledge of professional career opportunities, as well as developing skills in creative thinking, illustrating, design, writing, and editing, through learning about the stages of book publishing from editorial, to production, marketing and publicity.

Each session includes an introduction to the topic, and an interactive creative activity related to the chosen topic, giving insight into what it’s like to work in book publishing.

These sessions are suitable for KS 3, 4, and 5 and are run in collaboration with LSE Press and EvenUP. Sessions will be tailored around the chosen KS group in attendance. Sessions are up to 90 minutes.
Email library.learning@lse.ac.uk if interested.

Other school visits

We welcome school groups to visit LSE Library and explore our archives and special collections in connection with a particular interest or area of study with our Learning & Engagement team.

These visits offer an opportunity for students to find out more about archives, engage with original material and discover how collections can support their interests. For example, a group interested in creating a feminist library might visit to explore The Women's Library and learn more about its collections.

If your group has a particular interest or reason for visiting, please get in touch to discuss how we might be able to support your visit at library.learning@lse.ac.uk.

General booking information