Discovery Education’s live, global Magna Carta event reaches over 270,000 teachers and students

15 June marked the 800th year anniversary of the sealing of a ground-breaking document, Magna Carta. More than 270,000 teachers and students around the world celebrated this historical event through a live, global school assembly hosted by Discovery Education, in partnership with The National Archives in London and The National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C. Now, schools have the opportunity to debate and contribute to their own modern day contract with Discovery Education’s online resources.

“It was fantastic to be a part of something very special today. Something that happened 800 years ago was made relevant to thousands of children across the country by Discovery Education’s live assembly broadcast,” said Mike Barnes, Head Teacher of Flakefeet Primary School. “The children at Flakefeet were inspired to find out more about this amazing document.”

During the event students sent in their questions, several of which were answered live in a fully interactive experience.

Following the event, Discovery Education provides related resources online, so pupils can participate in high-quality learning experiences and further engage in the historical event by thinking about Magna Carta’s effect on human rights and modern democracy, while also drafting their own deed.

Lewis Bronze MBE, Director of Content at Discovery Education, commented, “Discovery Education is committed to creating engaging and thought-provoking content for teachers and students. After the interactive, live broadcast of Magna Carta, we hope to inspire teachers and pupils to have lively and provocative discussions, as well as to think critically about history’s importance and its impact on current events. So through our online resources, which are ready-to-implement, schools around the world can continue to discuss modern democracy and even create their own charters to govern their classroom.”

The exclusive Discovery Education event, hosted by Dan Snow and Diane Louise Jordan, aired on Monday 15 June. The live programme, aimed at Key Stage Two and Three pupils, was streamed directly from The National Archives in London. The virtual experience focused on the history of Magna Carta and its effect on human rights development in the subsequent centuries. Viewers had the unique opportunity to see Magna Carta documents held in both London and Washington, D.C.

“I jumped at the opportunity to present this engaging and informative live programme to support teachers and their students to celebrate and appreciate this significant document. Being able to share my passion for history with thousands of school children was such a privilege,” said Dan Snow.

Diane Louise Jordan further explained “the children watching may be the next political or social leaders of the future, taking care of our human rights.” Therefore, Diane concluded, “It’s important to remember the momentous role that Magna Carta played and continues to play today.