Free immersive WW2 workshops bring Secret Listeners story to life at Trent

School groups will be able to visit Trent Park House of Secrets when it opens to the public later this summer

Trent Park House in Enfield became an espionage headquarters during World War Two. German generals, held as prisoners of war, were invited to relax at Trent Park, completely unaware that the whole site was bugged with a team of secret listeners in the basement. 

The site has stood empty since 2012 but is due to open a new museum inside the country house, called the Trent Park House of Secrets, to tell the fascinating story of the Secret Listeners whose work led to crucial wartime breakthroughs. 

Free educational programme for KS2

The museum has launched The Trent Park House Sharing Stories programme for Key Stage 2 students in Enfield and Barnet. Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the programme is now open for bookings and brings the remarkable story to life for students, using immersive drama and historical investigation. 

Before each workshop, students will discover a mysterious worn leather bag filled with intriguing objects. Through a student-led investigation, the class then pieces together the story of its owner: a German Jewish refugee who worked as a Secret Listener at Trent Park House during World War Two. 

During the workshop students will:

• Explore a day in the life of a Secret Listener during World War Two. 
• Discover how vital intelligence was recorded and shared.
• Reflect on refugee and migrant experiences during wartime.
• Learn about the significant contributions migrants made to Britain’s war effort.

The programme addresses key curriculum requirements in history while providing students with a nuanced understanding of refugee experiences and the often-overlooked role of migrants in British history.

The announcement coincides with the appointment of Sharondeep Jawanda as schools manager, who will lead the organisation’s educational outreach efforts.

She said: “The programme encourages pupils to listen carefully, ask bold questions and explore the power of communication and empathy.

“These hidden histories deserve recognition, and we’re thrilled to work with Freshwater Theatre to make them accessible to young learners in an engaging and meaningful way. I’m looking forward to seeing how pupils connect with and explore these powerful histories.”

Free learning resources for schools

There are a range of learning resources available on the website that are most suitable for Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3. The Top Secret Briefing resource is a six-page guide that gives background on the Secret Listeners, explaining key words.

There are also suggested activities for KS2 and KS2 students with links to history, PSHE and English. One of them invites pupils to interrogate a character from a well-known book or popular film, coming up with the best questions to ask and how to get the character talking. 

There will also be a dedicated Clore Learning Centre opening alongside the museum later in the year. 

Fascinating history

Trent Park’s story dates back to 1779 when George III presented the royal doctor Sir Philip Jebb with a 99-year lease on 250 acres of the royal estate. After Jebb’s death, the site was eventually sold to Sir Edward Sassoon, the head of a Jewish merchant dynasty who left it to his son, Philip. 

Trent Park House of Secrets will feature magnificently restored and furnished rooms that were the backdrop to Sir Philip Sassoon’s socialite and political world, as he hosted some of the most influential statesmen, journalists, royalty and politicians in the 1930s.

A scale replica of the house is being created and will be a significant part of the visitor experience, helping to bring its extraordinary history to life.