Schools invited to explore the real lives behind Henry’s six wives
New national campaign calls on schools to ‘Teach the Six Queens Differently’
Teach the Six Queens Differently is a national campaign to support teachers in bringing greater depth, humanity and complexity to the teaching of Tudor history and to shift the way we all think about six women too often remembered simply as the wives of Henry VIII.
Historic Royal Palaces has launched a new campaign to support teachers in bringing greater depth, humanity and complexity to the teaching of Tudor history. ‘Beyond the Wives: Teach the Six Queens Differently’ aims to shift the way we all think about six women too often remembered simply as the wives of Henry VIII.
To widen access to this new learning opportunity, Historic Royal palaces is offering free and subsidised educational visits through its Access Fund.
The Fund supports visits to its six major sites , and includes help with travel costs. It is open to state-funded primary, secondary and special schools or units, with at least 30% of pupils eligible for Pupil Premium and 15% of pupils with special educational needs; special schools are exempt from these criteria.
Visits are offered to Key Stage 1–5 and special school pupils, with the Fund covering general admission for up to 105 pupils, a facilitated learning session and, for schools outside London boroughs, a travel subsidy of up to £2,100 depending on location.
Applications for the Access Fund open in October 2026. Further information and to apply visit https://www.hrp.org.uk/schools/access-fund-for-schools/
As well as opportunities to visit, teachers will have access to a programme of free teaching and learning resources, including Curriculum-linked behind-the-scenes videos filmed at Hampton Court Palace featuring former cast members from SIX the Musical. Plus:
Teacher packs and classroom guidance
Fact sheets and biographies
New KS2 and KS3 learning sessions at Hampton Court Palace.
Downloadable palace trails for the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace.
Historical source banks
Quizzes and knowledge boosters
Resources exploring Catalina of Motril and diversity in Tudor England
CPD opportunities for teachers
Explore the free learning resources here.
This campaign isn’t about rewriting history. It’s about enriching it.
Tracy Borman, Chief Historian at Historic Royal Palaces, said:
“For too long, the stories of the six queens have been overshadowed by the man they married and by the way their lives ended. The familiar rhyme is memorable, but it reduces six extraordinary women to six outcomes. These were women who exercised influence, shaped events and navigated extraordinary challenges in one of the most powerful courts in Europe. They were regents, diplomats, patrons, writers, scholars and reformers — and each had a story that was uniquely her own.
“This campaign isn’t about rewriting history. It’s about enriching it. Henry VIII and his reign remain central to understanding the Tudor period, but there is so much more to discover by looking at the lives of the six women who stood alongside him. By looking beyond the rhyme and exploring the queens’ ambitions, beliefs, achievements and experiences, we can give young people a much richer understanding of Tudor England — and of the women who helped shape it.”
Lucie Parkes, Deputy Head of Schools at Historic Royal Palaces, said:
“Teachers do an extraordinary job of bringing the past to life, often with limited time and resources. We want Teach the Six Queens Differently to give them practical, high-quality tools that they can use straight away, while opening up new ways for pupils to engage with the Tudor period.”
See Teach the Six Queens Differently for further information, resources and opportunities for schools and teachers to get involved.