Professor Kate Williams Visits Talbot Heath

Talbot Heath school in Bournemouth, welcomed TV historian, Professor Kate Williams for a specialist lecture to students, on Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots.

Talbot Heath were delighted to welcome back Professor Kate Williams – TV broadcaster, historian, author and royal expert – for a specialist lecture this week, as part of the history curriculum on Elizabethans. All Lower 4 pupils attended, alongside GCSE and A Level History students.

Prof. Williams, who is the CNN royal historian and was part of the BBC team covering William and Katherine’s royal wedding in 2011, discussed the life of Mary, Queen of Scots and the rivalry with her fellow queen, Elizabeth I. Kate has published many historical books and ‘Rival Queens’ covers this particularly fascinating period of history; she discussed the period up to Mary’s execution and the dilemma faced by Elizabeth over the decision to sign the death warrant. The issue of how we judge queens in History and how this links to our current perceptions of powerful women was also addressed by Kate. There were many excellent questions from the students to include issues about favourite time periods and women in history, and the students also fully engaged with the questions which the reading university lecturer asked of them.

The professor has been a frequent visitor to the Bournemouth school, having lectured to pupils and parents as part of the former ‘Learning for Life’ programme and during the ‘Spellbound’ Children’s Literature Festivals hosted at TH in previous years. Kate is involved in numerous history programmes such as secrets of the Royal Palaces, and has been a guest celebrity on Michael McIntyre’s ‘The Wheel, and ‘Pointless Celebrities’, Richard Osman’s ‘House of Games’ and ‘Would I Lie to You?’ among others.

History Coordinator, Sarah Baker said how pleased she was to welcome Kate back, adding, ‘this was such a valuable session for our GCSE and A level History students in particular. Kate also enjoyed chatting with the students, discussing universities and asking students about their choice of costumes for World Book Day.’

Thanks go to Mrs Baker for organising the event and to Prof. Williams for generously giving up her time to visit the school.