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Tamworth Castle dates from the 11th century and is situated in the centre of Tamworth in Staffordshire. The project was delivered by a partnership between the Castle and Kettlebrook Pupil Referral Unit (PRU). The PRU works with young people who are disaffected or excluded from school. Young people visited the Castle to develop the project idea.

They were interested in food, dancing, music and sword fighting and decided to create a medieval banquet for family and friends. Supported by teachers and Castle staff, the young people participated in a series of training sessions led by professionals. These included artefact handling, circus skills, medieval costume, food and music, street dancing and marketing. The project culminated in a banquet packed with parents, siblings, and PRU students and staff. The young participants produced a DVD documenting the project and the banquet, along with a step-by-step guide to making a medieval feast.

• Enable local hard to reach young people to connect with the heritage of Tamworth and foster a sense of ownership of the town and its castle;
• Help young people to develop skills in artefact handling, historical research, event management and performance;
• Encourage young people to take a leading role in the planning, development and presentation of a medieval banquet; and
• Increase the self esteem and motivation of the young people involved in the project.

• PRU staff, the young participants and their friends and family developed a greater awareness of the castle, local history and medieval customs.
• A new generation was introduced to traditional skills and knowledge, including sword fighting, and understanding historic costume and cooking.
• A publication on how to create a medieval banquet was produced and distributed to encourage others to explore their heritage in a fun and accessible way.

• 13 young people took part in the project. Participation in itself was a big step for them and they showed increased attendance, motivation and commitment.
• The young people developed new heritage, creative, social and communication skills and received certificates at a ceremony recognising their achievements.
• The young people built a sense of ownership of the castle and felt trusted in this new and friendly environment. Their relationships with PRU staff also improved.
• Family, friends and PRU staff enjoyed the banquet. The young people were pleased with their success and felt that everyone else was proud of them too.

• The young people required almost constant stimulation and responded well to high quality practical activities delivered by professional trainers.
• Activities were kept relevant by having the young people decide the project theme and mixing old and new, for example setting street dance to medieval music.
• A strong partnership was crucial to the project’s success, with commitment and enthusiasm on both sides, and clear, shared planning.
• The young people’s leadership skills improved during the project, but it was important to be realistic about the role they could take in planning and delivery at the outset.
• A short six-week timescale for sessions was needed as students often do not stay long at the PRU, but this made aspects of the project difficult, such as ordering materials.

• Young people left the project with increased confidence and were; more willing to try new things; more receptive to working with new people; and were stronger on social interaction.
• The partnership between the castle and the PRU has been maintained, with some additional PRU learning sessions taking place at the castle. 
• Castle staff and external trainers developed the skills and experience to work with disaffected and excluded young people further in the future.
• The PRU has continued to use heritage and creative approaches as part of their work, for example hiring a professional trainer to lead a session at the PRU.

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