Hear what teachers across the UK are saying about us!
School Name: Portfields Primary School
County: Buckinghamshire
Date of Visit: 06/02/2026
Workshop Leader: Carl Mitchley
Workshop: Vikings
“Another amazing workshop from Carl! We continue to book every year because of how wonderful he makes the experience for the children.”
School Name: Barley Hill
County: Oxfordshire
Date of visit: 23/03/2026
Workshop Leader: Carl Mitchley
Workshop: Anglo-Saxons
“Thank you, it was a fantastic day. It was relaxed and happy, the children laughed and learned all day! We loved the weapons and artefacts.”
Barton Stacey Primary School
County: Hampshire
Date of visit: 09/03/2026
Workshop leader: Russ Spicer
Workshop: Romans
“We had the most magnificent day. The children were totally captivated by Russ’ enthusiasm, knowledge, stories and activities. I felt this gave the children more than a school trip would – as they had 6 hours of non-stop learning! Absolutely brilliant.”
School Name: St Peter’s C of E Academy
County: Worcestershire
Date of visit: 19/03/2026
Workshop leader: Lauren Quiney
Workshop: Egyptians
“Our Year 3 children (and staff) had the most fantastic day with Lauren, her subject knowledge was incredible, her passion for delivering enthusiastically was amazing – all the children and teachers were engaged throughout all of the sessions. Thank you so much, we cannot wait to book again.”
School Name: Cumnor House Boys School
County: Greater London
Date of visit: 11/03/2026
Workshop leader: John Humphries
Workshop: Egyptians
“John was brilliant from start to finish, the workshop was engaging and fun, and the feedback from staff, parents, and most importantly pupils has been great.
John was organised before and during the day, meaning that the planning was a breeze. He took control of the day, meaning that I was able to sit back and watch the boys enjoy the day, as well as freeing me up to focus on taking photos. His behavioural management was on point and at no point did I feel I needed to step in to settle the boys.
The information was presented brilliantly, and all of the activities were engaging and appropriate for the age of the boys.
We will certainly be looking at booking the same or other workshops in the future.”
School Name: West Byfleet Junior School
County: Surrey
Date of visit: 26/02/2026
Workshop leader: Gayle Cooper
Workshop: WW2
“What a fantastic workshop and experience for our children. Thanks to Gayle, the children were absolutely buzzing! Looking forward to booking another workshop for another historical period again.”
School Name: Hawkedale Junior
County: Middlesex
Date of visit: 17/03/2026
Workshop Leader: Martin Newman
Workshop: Anglo-Saxons
“Excellent Workshop, Children really enjoyed the day.”
School Name: Freshwaters Primary
County: Essex
Date of visit: 11/03/2026
Workshop Leader: Dan Shadrake
Workshop: WW2
“I just wanted to send a thank you for Dan’s fantastic workshop yesterday.
The year 6 pupils thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were fully engaged throughout the day. We will hopefully be able to book Dan again for next year and will be in touch nearer the time.”
School Name: Royal Park Primary Academy
Date of Visit: 06/02/2026
Workshop Leader: Russell Moore
Workshop: Stone Age
“Such a fun and informative day! The children all loved it and so did the adults, a real highlight this term.”
School Name: Kingham Park Primary School
County: Oxfordshire
Date of Visit: 05/02/2026
Workshop Leader: Lauren Quiney
Workshop: Egyptians
“The workshop with Lauren was extraordinary! She had the children engaged all day and was able to answer all the questions the children came up with, whilst incorporating on-theme movements breaks for the children. The children loved the whole day, and it was incredible to watch as a teacher. We had Lauren last year as well and will definitely be requesting to have her again next year.”
School Name: Rose Farm
County: Derby
Date of visit: 06/02/2026
Workshop Leader: John Paul Stubbins
Workshop: Anglo-Saxons
“Excellent as usual. Good adaptation to a large number of pupils.”
School Name: The Windmill School
Date of visit: 29/01/2026
Workshop Leader: Jack Quiney
Workshop: Stone Age
“Absolutely incredible. I have booked with Portals to the Past for several years and since moving year groups, booked a brand new one (we usually have Ancient Greeks)
Jack was absolutely amazing with the children, kept the energy, pace and fun going all day long and each and every child (and teacher) had the best day. It was such a great enrichment for our topic. We will be booking again next year with certainty!
Can’t wait for the Ancient Egyptian workshop in the summer!”
School Name: Potley Hill Primary School
County: Hampshire
Date of Visit: 06/01/2026
Workshop Leader: Russ Spicer
Workshop: Ancient Greeks
“A brilliant way to start the year – the workshop was highly engaging and interactive, with a wide range of activities all the children learnt something and had a lot of fun, thank you!”
St George’s Beneficial,
October 2025,
Stone Age Workshop
“Martin is always super professional and very engaging with the children. The activities were suitable, pitched well, interesting and accessable to all. Great job!”
Cottage Grove Primary School,
September 2025,
Maya Workshop,
led by Gayle Copper
“We had a great day and learned so much (adults included!). There was a good range of activities, which kept the pace up and kept the children engaged. The information was presented really well; there was a lot of information, but it didn’t feel overwhelming. I feel like this experience will really help the knowledge to ‘stick’. Gayle was brilliant! She had everything really well organised and had a lovely manner with the children. Thank you!”
Crawley Down Primary School,
September 2025,
Greek Workshop,
led by Mike Everest
“We just wanted to say a really big thank you again for yesterday. It was a brilliant day, with the children learning so much. We will really be able to use everything they got from yesterday going forward, for the rest of our topic. Thank you also for being so flexible and accommodating with the timings etc.”
Bedford Preparatory School September 2025 Egyptian Workshop, led by Mark Halls
Once again, Mark has delivered an unforgettable experience that brought ancient Egypt vividly to life. His brilliance shines through in every moment. He is professional, adaptable, endlessly understanding, and always calm and kind. His presence is magnetic, and the boys are completely captivated by his fascinating facts and extraordinary artefacts.
Mark’s energy and enthusiasm are infectious. He doesn’t just teach, he inspires. Every year, he ignites curiosity and wonder, turning history into a living, breathing adventure. His workshops are more than educational; they’re transformational.
Thank you, Mark, for your unwavering passion and for making Egypt leap off the page and into our imaginations. You are a true gem, and we’re so grateful for the magic you bring to our school year after year. Thank you.
Milking Bank September 2025 WW2 Workshop, led by Jack Quiney
Jack delivered an outstanding World War Two day. He clearly has a vast knowledge on the topic, and he shared this with the children in an engaging, age-appropriate way. He was able to answer questions asked by pupils in an informative way. Jack’s enthusiasm for the subject is clear, and the children were enthused throughout the day. The resources Jack used were extremely high quality and he had clearly spent a long time creating certain resources (Morse Keys). The children were able to participate in a wide range of activities which were thoroughly exciting, informative and engaging. The use of props and artifacts was also beneficial. Jack was extremely professional and a pleasure to spend the day with. His relationships with the children were fantastic and he built rapport very quickly. He adapted his style to meet a wide range of learning needs and student personalities. I would thoroughly recommend Jack and Portals to the Past to colleagues from other schools and will definitely be booking Jack again in the future. Thank you for a great day!
All Cannings School October 2025, led by Lauren Quiney
Lauren was amazing! Her enthusiasm for the topic was clear, and she had a really fun and positive rapport with the children. The class are a chatty bunch, but Lauren’s behaviour management skills were excellent. The children are still talking about the workshop a week later and parents have also commented on how much their children enjoyed it. I will definitely be booking another Portals to the Past workshop (hopefully we will get Lauren again). The workshop takes away the stress and the time of organising a school trip and I think the children have retained more than they would from a trip. The children especially liked the mummification activity in the workshop. Lauren is an absolute credit to your team!
Heathlands September 2025, led by Carl Mitchley
This was an absolutely brilliant workshop. It was pitched at exactly the right level for our children. You were knowledgeable & had a great rapport with the children.
Marish Primary October 2025 Greek Workshop, led by Russ Spicer
The workshop provided excellent enrichment to support our children’s learning about the Greeks. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed engaging with the different activity stations and were particularly enthusiastic about taking part in the Olympic games.
The session was very well delivered and credit goes to Russ for his organisation and approach/ He arrived early to set up, ensured staff were fully briefed and confident in their roles and created an atmosphere that was both inclusive and enjoyable, His friendly, patient and humorous manner enabled all children to feel involved and motivated, making the experience both educational and memorable.
Adelaide Primary, York
JPs subject knowledge was exceptional – the teachers learnt a lot too!
You had the children thoroughly engaged throughout and responded to their questions at their level.
Resources were of a high quality. The day will be a memorable experience for all of our children – thank you from all of us
Talavera Junior School, Hants
Martin was incredible, engaging and a delight to work with. Thank you for inspiring our Year 3’s!
Holmewood House, Kent
The day was fantastic, perfect content, extremely efficiently run. Lauren was brilliant with the children and kept their interest + enthusiasm up all day. Thank you
Kingsmoor Somerset
Martin was exceptional with our school. His enthusiasm and positivity shone through and made it both and educational and informative day for our children. He kept the day moving forward at a good pace ensuring engagement was high and all activities were enjoyable. Many thanks Martin for a super day.
Tadworth Primary, Surrey
Gayle is always a wonderful presenter, also kind, thoughtful, knowledgable and flexible
Bonneygrove, Herts
Carl was amazing! We loved the hands on resources.
Winkfield, Berks
Our children had a wonderful day! There were plenty of activities to enjoy throughout, that were hands on and engaging. A really enjoyable day.
Village Primary, Derbyshire
Our children all had a fabulous learning filled day. They were buzzing with excitement and so engaged in all the interactions. Thanks for helping to bring the past to life for our classes!
Northfield Manor Primary, School, West Midlands
Received excellent feedback from Parents and Students. Thanks very much Carl – we will definitely be booking again for next years Y6!
Mantem Primary London
An amazing day, it could not have been better! Thank you so much.
Chiltern Primary School, Hamps
Another successful workshop from Portals. I am so grateful for such a brilliant experience. The children were engaged all day and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Thank you
Darlinghurst Academy, Essex
Just wanted to say a big thank you for the wonderful experience you gave our children. Al the children were engaged and remembered key facts. The presentation was pitched at their level with a few challenges they enjoyed. Thank you once again for a fabulous day.
Sholing Junior School, Hants
A very knowledgeable and passionate leader, who engaged well with staff and children. Thanks you!
St Marys Maltby, Yorks
JP was great with the children. Explaining all tasks and making each part as exciting and engaging as possible. A day that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.