Pepys Into the Past
Project overview
The ‘Pepys into the Past’ project with Brampton Primary School focused on the unique and rarely explored heritage of the Cambridge village, Brampton – the country home of Samuel Pepys. Keystage helped the children to research the history of their village in Pepys’ time, explore his life and diary and create their own diaries, readings of which were recorded onto a CD, published and displayed in a special display case at the school. The children were taken on a trip to Samuel Pepys’ house, school and the Pepys library in Cambridge Magdalene College, and were given the opportunity by the Librarian, Dr Luckett, to see Pepys’ actual diary! The children were excited to see first hand their village name, ‘Brampton’, written in the diary.
Charlie Penn, pianist, accompanist and choral director of note, visited the school to teach all of years 5 and 6 17th century songs from Pepys’ day. We performed a specially-written play called ‘Pepys Into the Past’ involving nearly 100 children, which summarised their work on Pepys in a creative form.
Project outcomes
- Research
- Educational resource
- Theatre
”“Thank you so much for all the time, care and creative energy you have invested into our Pepys into the Past project. You have enriched the lives of our children and given them experiences which they will treasure for years to come. The play is a triumph and has been much admired and appreciated by those who have seen it. Thank you.”
Headteacher at Brampton Village Primary School
