Graham Winters is head of history, Outwood Grange College, Wakefield
We use Conisbrough Castle because it’s in such good repair. It’s part of our GCSE course work. We focus on Pontefract Castle and use other castle visits as comparisons. We always come to Conisbrough first because the kids can see so much. The three guides are very good. We had John the Steward today and we’ve had Norman the Knight on previous occasions. They are very entertaining and the kids soon warm to them. I do what I call the boring bits - walking round the outside of the walls to begin with and giving a summary before we finish. We book a year in advance and we have been bringing groups here since 1987. There have never been any problems in all that time. Every time we come here the kids take the trouble to thank us when they get off the bus. It’s something other than school work. They will probably look back on this day when they get older and will perhaps bring their children here. It’s part of our heritage and the kids are beginning to understand that.