STUDENTS at a Flintshire school were the first to try out a series of history workshops as part of an upcoming exhibition.

About 50 year seven and nine students at Ysgol Treffynnon took part in the workshops created by

Keystone Heritage, an initiative funded by North East Wales Heritage Forum to run alongside the '100 Objects of North East Wales' exhibition.

The exhibition is currently on show in Wrexham and is due to come to Flintshire in the coming months.

The heritage outreach team - Lorna Kernahan and Sarah Pevely - contacted the school asking to trial some of the activities they have created as part of a package of fun, interactive and stimulating historical sessions linked to the museum displays.

Working in groups, the students rotated around different learning stations which covered the themes of early inhabitants, castles and conflict, industrial people, travel, and transport.

During the day students did a mini archaeological dig, a role play exercise and played a board game based on North East Wales.

They also built castles using lollipop sticks, sand and craft equipment and even tried out a mini trebuchet, a type of ancient catapult used in battles.

Siobhan Henry, lead teacher for humanities, said: “The students were completely engaged throughout in this high-quality interactive learning experience.

“Participating in a local history workshop is invaluable and gives the students an opportunity to handle historical objects.

"The role-play and creativity involved throughout the sessions was very useful and helped students to develop skills such as working together and empathy. It was brilliant.

“We look forward to visiting the exhibition when it travels to Flintshire. This is just the kind of stimulating experience to inspire our young learners to appreciate the rich heritage of our area.”

Year seven student Ruby Williams said: “We enjoyed dressing up and acting out the roles of historical characters. It was great fun and we learned about life in olden times.”