YEAR two children visited Durham Cathedral as part of their religious education.

They had previously visited our local church in Peterlee, St Cuthbert's, so were able to make comparisons in size, interesting features and especially the ornate carvings and stained glass windows of the cathedral.

The children were shown around by Mrs Thackray, a cathedral guide, and learned a lot about its history from her.

She chose Paul Brown to be bishop for the day and dressed him in beautiful robes and a mitre.

Back in school, the visit provided a good stimulus as the children enjoyed talking about what they had seen and writing about it.

Their drawings showed how observant and interested they had been, particularly in the doorknocker, clock, pulpit and the Rose window.

The children have even made stained glass window biscuits in science, using boiled sweets to make the glass.

The children are currently developing their creative skills in art. After looking at writing in Bibles and that done by the monks at the cathedral, they are busy making illuminated letter calendars from clay for Christmas.

The visit proved a wonderful starting point for a variety of cross-curricular activities, as well as being a great opportunity for children to visit such a lovely building.

by Marrisa Pennigton, year two teacher