Education
Free tickets for schools for the Autumn Festival are available again in 2026.
Free tickets are limited!
Teaching staff, lecturers, school and university students and home educators are all included in the offer.
Gloucester History Festival
Schools Afternoon
Friday 18 September 2026
4 – 5 pm
Henry VIII: The Last Years
Andrew Johnston & Joanne Paul
Free to schools students and teachers
What really happened during the final, dangerous years of Henry VIII’s reign? Tudor historians Andrew Johnston and Joanne Paul explore a court scarred by the break with Rome, the destruction of the monasteries and the execution of Thomas More. As Henry’s health failed, Catherine Parr, Thomas Cranmer, the Howards and the Seymours struggled for influence, while royal secretary William Paget drafted the King’s will and helped shape the succession. Discover the deadly power politics that determined how Tudor England would survive Henry’s death.
The Education Offer is back with 20 fantastic events for you to enjoy this Autumn Festival.
For a flavour of what will be available this autumn, the following 4 talks will be included in the Autumn 2026 Education Offer. Full details of all 20 talks available to book from 31 July.
1. Sat 12 Sep: Peace Makers: Why Diplomats Matter in War and Peace with Peter Ricketts.
2. Sat 12 Sep: From Boudicca to Joan of Arc: Women of Legend with Janina Ramirez, Elodie Harper & Samira Ahmed.
3. Sat 12 Sep: The Beatles & The Sixties with Samira Ahmed, John Robb & Janina Ramirez.
4. Sun 13 Sep: Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe with Katja Hoyer.
5. Sun 13 Sep: The Tudors: This Little World with Nandini Das.
6. Mon 14 Sep: History’s Greatest Leaders: What Makes a Legend? with Mike Soutar.
7. Mon 14 Sep: The Buildings of the Bayeux Tapestry with Andrew Ziminski.
8. Tues 15 Sep: Emily Palmerston: The Regency Countess Who Shaped an Age with Jehanne Wake, Katie Wake & Elizabeth Norton.
9. Tues 15 Sep: Lady Jane Grey: Crown of Blood with Nicola Tallis.
10. Weds 16 Sep: Navigating a Dangerous World with Robin Niblett & Martin Sixsmith.
11. Weds 16 Sep: Reds: How Communism Shaped The World with Paul Mason.
12. Thurs 17 Sep: The Crusader Storm: How The Crusades Changed The Medieval World with Nicholas Morton.
13. Thurs 17 Sep: Edward VIII & Wallis Simpson: Love, Duty & Abdication with Anne Sebba & Andrew Lownie.
14. Thurs 17 Sep: Mythica: The Women Behind The Greek Myths with Emily Hauser.
15. Fri 18 Sep: Who Was To Blame for The War Of The Roses? with Matthew Lewis, Nathen Amin & Nicola Tallis.
16. Fri 18 Sep: SCHOOLS AFTERNOON: Henry VIII: The Last Years with Andrew Johnston & Joanne Paul.
17. Sat 19 Sep: Alexander: God, King, Man with Edmund Richardson.
18. Sat 19 Sep: Bringing The World To Britain: Georgian and Victorian Architecture with Daniel Wilson.
19. Sat 19 Sep: Jung Chang: Fly Wild Swans.
20. Sun 20 Sep: The Secret Story of The Vikings: God’s Hammer with Thomas Williams.
Free tickets are activated by using the code *EDUCATION at checkout.
Gloucestershire Heritage Ambassadors 2026
We’re delighted to be supporting the 2026 Gloucestershire Heritage Ambassadors
Scheme for young historians aged 16-18 organised by Voices Gloucester. This year’s programme will include free tickets to the Spring Weekend 17-19 April and the chance to meet some of Britain’s leading historians and academics.
Find out more by contacting:
*Education Offer Terms and Conditions:
Free tickets are available for school groups, individual learners, home educators, university students and teachers (teachers could book a free ticket with or without a school group) for the in person talks. Free tickets are activated by using the code EDUCATION at checkout.
A maximum of 15 free tickets are available to each school per event.
Age range: Age 14+.
Ticket numbers are limited and if you’ve booked using the code EDUCATION you may be asked to show your school/student/university ID at the door.
This autumn students and teachers can claim free access tickets to 20 events.
Email with any questions or queries.
Free tickets offer subject to availability
Resources
Aethelflaed Education Pack
Aimed at upper KS2, the Aethelflaed Education Pack includes resources and activities all about Gloucester’s Anglo-Saxon Warrior Queen. Written by local teacher, Alyson Meredith, and illustrated by Kate Sheppard, the pack was created in 2018 as part of a city-wide programme to celebrate the life of this influential but often overlooked female leader 1,110 years after her death. If you would like to request a hard-copy, please email
Gloucester’s heritage and cultural education brochure
This brochure summarises educational resources and opportunities all within 10 minutes walking distance within Gloucester City Centre. It was launched during the 2019 History Festival, and resulted from a collaboration between Gloucester Culture Trust and Gloucester Heritage Forum. We look forward to welcoming you to Gloucester.
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