Official Jubilee programmes to get involved in
There are a number of official programmes that schools can join in. Many of them have education resources, packs and templates you can download online.
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a tree planting initiative created to mark the jubilee which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”. For schools, the GQC has partnered with the Woodland Trust’s Free Trees for Schools and Communities
Platinum Jubilee Beacons is the first community event of the jubilee weekend. More than 1500 beacons will be lit across the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories. There’s an information pack with full details, and even instructions on how to construct your own beacon.
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant is taking place in London on Sunday 5th Local communities are encouraged to get involved by hosting their own events, so schools can either join in local events or hold one of their own.
River of Hope is an arts-based learning project linking schools around the world through the study of rivers. Registrations have closed but there are free education resources available for schools to help students engage in this key environmental area.
Big Jubilee Lunch. Who doesn’t love a lunch? Schools can download a free pack to help organise a Big Jubilee Lunch and there are teaching resources available too.
Visit exhibitions and displays. From July 2022, royal residences at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse will have special displays marking significant occasions in Her Majesty’s reign. Plus, the Tower of London is hosting a ‘Superbloom’ field of flowers that will fill the Tower’s moat.
Over the jubilee weekend too, there are lots of official events taking place, such as the Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour), a Service of Thanksgiving and Platinum Party at the Palace.
Ideas for school Platinum Jubilee events and activities
There will already be lots of Jubilee events planned in your local area. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport’s interactive map is a handy tool to find out what’s happening around you.
1952 day. Dress up in 50s style and have a themed school lunch menu. Look at what school was like in 1952 and link to the history of your school.
1950s sports day.
Learn a dance from the 1950s.
1950s music show – live or digital.
Craft fair with Jubilee-themed bunting, artworks and games.
A Jubilee bake sale. The Royal Collection Trust has a range of Royal recipes, including scones, chocolate biscuit cake and clementine macaroons.
A commonwealth day, exploring the countries of the commonwealth, their food, culture and history.
Connect with other schools from around the commonwealth, for example, video calls with overseas schools.
Create a visual timeline with key events from Her Majesty’s reign.
‘Then and now’ photography exhibition, researching old local photos from the 1950s and taking new photos to show how things have changed.
A dog show – after all, the Queen loves Corgis!
Sponsored walk, cycle, row, swim, sing or bounce.
A Jubilee trail around the school, collecting Jubilee facts along the way.
Invite speakers into assemblies – for example, local people.
Here are a few ideas for your school: