UKS2 Topic: Ancient Greece Block H: Education
What was it like to go to school in Ancient Greece? Appreciate the role of education in the lives of the
Ancient Greeks. Learn about their school days, as well as some of the great thinkers of this period!
Block H: Education in Ancient Greece
[4 sessions]
Main outcome: History
Other outcomes: D&T and English
By the end of this block you will have
achieved the following outcomes:

Session 1 History and D&T
What subjects were taught?
Discover what school was like for rich boys in
Ancient Greece and what home education
might have been like for girls; role-play a
boy’s life in school; make an abacus; learn to
weave, in the same way that the girls learnt
from their mothers.
Session 2 History and D&T
School in Athens
Role-play a child’s typical day in Athens;
learn about the Classical Greek alphabet;
make clay tablets and inscribe them with
words in Classical Greek.
Session 3 History and English
School in Sparta
Role-play a child’s typical day in Sparta; think
about the Spartan goals of education versus
the Athenian ideals; take part in a debate
about the merits of each system.
Session 4 History, D&T and English
The Great Thinkers
Learn about the Great Thinkers of Ancient
Greece; make bust of significant Greek
Thinkers out of modelling material; open the
class as a museum about Athens, Sparta and
the Thinkers.
Continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and
understanding of Britain, local and world history, establishing clear
narratives within and across the periods they study.
 To gain and deploy a historically-grounded understanding of
abstract terms such as ‘empire’ and ‘civilization’.
 Understand Ancient Greece, Greek life, their achievements and
influence on the western world.
 Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of
innovative, functional, appealing products which are fit for
purpose.
 Develop wider skills in spoken language. Pupils’ confidence,
enjoyment and mastery of language should be extended through
public speaking, performance and debate.
Children will:
 Understand what school was like for rich boys in Ancient Greece
and what home education might have been like for girls.
 Role-play a boy’s life in school, make an abacus and learn to weave,
in the same way that the girls learnt from their mothers.
Children will:
 Understand a child’s typical day in Athens and consider their values
and priorities as a city-state.
 Learn about the Classical Greek alphabet and look at manuscripts
from the era.
 Make clay tablets and inscribe them with words in Classical Greek.
Children will:
 Consider a child’s typical day in Sparta and how their values and
priorities differed from Athens.
 Think about the Sparta goals of education versus the Athenian
ideals.
 Role-play school life in Sparta and Athens & engage in a
philosophical enquiry about the 2 systems.
Children will:
 Learn about the Great Thinkers of Ancient Greece and look at their
area of influence.
 Consider the Great Thinkers’ contributions to today’s world.
 Make models of significant Greek Thinkers out of modelling
material.
 Open the classroom up as a museum and give guided, fact-filled
tours to visitors.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. The links to the websites and the
contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’) have been checked by Hamilton
Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton Trust’s knowledge, are correct and
accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton Trust website, you acknowledge
that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links, changed such Links and/or
contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use. Hamilton Trust excludes all
responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
UKS2 Topic: Ancient Greece Block H: Education
Resources
Session 1
Provided: Ancient Greek school equipment & How to make a weaving loom.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Pipe cleaners, beads, thick card of 15cms x 20 cms (enough for 2
per child), tape, knex, wool, ribbon.
Session 2
Provided: Mime Action Cards & How to make an Ancient Greek inscribed tablet.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Bag, air-drying clay, clay tools.
Session 3
Provided: Mime Action Cards & Athens vs Sparta - A Debate.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Benches, bag.
Session 4
Provided: How to make a great Greek thinker.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Air drying clay and clay tools, card, spot lighting or bedside or
reading lights.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. The links to the websites and the
contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’) have been checked by Hamilton
Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton Trust’s knowledge, are correct and
accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton Trust website, you acknowledge
that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links, changed such Links and/or
contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use. Hamilton Trust excludes all
responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.