​BBC Professor makes podcast with Exeter Cathedral School

Exeter Cathedral School pupils have been joined by a celebrated History Professor to create their very own podcast. The Year 2 pupils were very excited to welcome Professor James Daybell (co-creator of ‘Histories of the Unexpected’ with the BBC’s Sam Willis), for the making of their first podcast in Exeter Cathedral's Chapter House and the opening of their exhibition, ‘A Walk Through Time.’

Inspired by the rich heritage of Exeter, the children had been learning about homes through the ages, from Neolithic to Victorian times. The exhibition was a celebration of their work and an exciting opportunity for the children to share their knowledge and innovative creations with parents, teachers, pupils and experts. The historic backdrop of the Cathedral’s Chapter House and the children’s period dress contributed to the sense of occasion, as the young historians guided visitors through the corridors of time. Their recorded conversations with Professor Daybell provided the raw material for the Cathedral School’s very first podcast release.

James Daybell is an Oxford-educated historian, Professor of Early Modern British History at Plymouth University, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and Director of the Arts and Humanities Research Institute at Plymouth. He has produced several books and some 35 articles on Renaissance letter-writing, early modern women, gender, power and politics. He has also just launched a new history podcast with the BBC’s Sam Willis called 'Histories of the Unexpected,' hosted by Dan Snow’s ‘History Hit’.

Speaking about his role in the ‘Walk Through Time’ exhibition and podcast, Prof Daybed said: "I really enjoyed working with the pupils at Exeter Cathedral School on their wonderful history projects and exploring with them their exciting ideas about the past."

The School's Head of Pre-Prep, Mrs Katie Fisher, said: "This truly was a truly wonderful event, which was both a wonderful celebration of the children’s talent, individuality and love of learning, and an excellent showcase of our creative approach to learning at ECS. Through providing children with rich and memorable learning experiences such as these, we strive to ignite sparks of interest that will grow into enduring passions that the children will take with them into adulthood."

Exeter Cathedral School is Exeter’s oldest school and its only independent boarding school. It was founded in the 12th century as a choir school and now educates some 275 pupils between the ages of rising-3 and 13, including the Choristers of Exeter Cathedral. The School prides itself on its pastoral care, its small class sizes, its extra-curricular programme, and its academic rigour. It has an impressive track record of securing scholarships and awards to some of the country's leading senior schools, and in 2016 100% of leavers secured a place at their first-choice destination.

The School is holding its Spring Open Morning on 7th March 2017. All enquiries should be directed to Mrs Katy Hockings via hmsec@exetercs.org.

Fore more information about Exeter Cathedral School, see the school's profile on School Search.