Group visits to Englesea Brook are always welcome and can be accommodated outside of our normal opening times if required. Whatever age or type of group you are, we can tailor a visit to suit your needs. As well as the many artefacts on display our attractions for all ages include the Victorian Sunday School and Magic Lantern experiences, Victorian toys and games and much more besides.

School Visits

Many schools discover that at Englesea Brook a wide variety of curriculuim needs can be met in a warm, friendy, exciting, inclusive and innovative way. It is also extremely affordable! Some recent comments by visiting teachers speak for themselves:

 

'What a fabulous afternoon was had by all with some excellent Easter activities and fascinating stories. Thank you!' Sneyd Green School

 

'An excellent Victorian day - thank you very much. A day enjoyed by both staff and children. The leaders were excellent - thank you.' Jackfields Infant School

 

'Another wonderful afternoon - thank you all so much! The children really enjoyed all the activities and we hope to come again next year. Thank you!' Burnwood Primary School

 

'A super experience enjoyed by all staff, children and parents. Can we borrow your Victorian teacher for supply cover?' Eloworth Hall Primary School

 

'We have had a lovely time, lots of fun experiences for the children. The visit fitted in well with our Victorian topic. Thank you!' St Mary's School

 

What we offer

The educational programmes at Englesea Brook have been widely commended by local schools for the quality, depth and variety of experience offered. School visits are not routine and processed but tailored to meet the needs of individual groups. The museum is well known as a place that is friendly and inclusive where each visit is a real event.  For some examples of how we can meet different curriculum requirements see the relevant section below.

 

What pupils do as part of their time at the museum varies considerably but a visit can include dressing in costumes for our memorable Victorian Sunday School experience, watching a traditional magic lantern show, playing Victorian games, grave-rubbing and much more besides.

 

In 2008 we introduced a Victorian funeral experience to our offering which has proved popular with many schools.  This is a sensitive and inclusive means of using Victorian history to help children deal with issues of death and bereavement in their own lives and is suitable for children in year 5 and above.

 

The educational output of Englesea Brook is constantly developing. Recently projects with schools have focused on such diverse themes as law and order, working children, environmental protection and religious festivals.

 

In 2009 we successfully trialled two new educational programmes which are being offered again in March 2010. Our transport programme takes children on a journey back to World War II in which lessons can be learned not only about the past but about protecting the environment in the present. Full details can be found here. We also have an Easter programme which uses the Christian story as a starting point for exploring the religious festivals of different faiths, and the idea of emerging new life in the springtime. Following the Easter story from the perspective of a Roman soldier this programme offers pupils the opportunity to handle genuine Roman artefacts. For more details please click here.

 

For more details about educational visits contact our education officer, Margaret Veal, on (01270) 820836.

 

Some Examples of Englesea Brook visits connecting to National Curriculum Topics:

 

HISTORY
Experience our Victorian Chapel & artefacts for a truly authentic experience

 

K.S.1
Travel back in time and role play being a Victorian school child

Victorian School Experience (all in costumes- we provide)
Victorian Homes
Victorian toys (indoor & out-door)
Victorian boys & girls
Victorian crafts
Victorian Christmas: bran tub, crackers, decorations                                                                         

 

K.S.2
Use of artefacts documents & rare books:
Victorian Working-class Sunday School (we provide costumes)
Victorian toys (indoor & out-door)
Victorian life-style compared to today
Comparison of a Victorian child & a child of today
Investigate: Victorian Chapel, churches, banners & artefacts
Victorian Christmas, crafts, cracker making, fun & games.
Victorian Burial & Bereavement
Social History: Victorian funerals, cost implications
Chronology, time-line, changes through time
Changes to the chapel over time.
Changing museums and the future


RELIGION
We visit a large number of schools to take assemblies
We cover an extensive and ever growing range of subjects
We bring objects, artefacts, documents and/or dress up
We use a lively and participatory approach
At the museum:
Role play: Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals
Comparison of Christian Faiths: Non Conformists, Anglican & Roman Catholicism.


P.S.H.E.
Citizenship & Global Issues:
Working children
Slavery/Human Rights
Exploitation: then & now
Consideration of others especially those worse off then ourselves
Consideration of the taboo subject DEATH, emotions involved, bereavement process and the future
Role play a Victorian burial with authentic Victorian funeral bier; a popular, successful & fully participative workshop.
Grave rubbings
Grave yard exploration linking the findings to social history

 

 

MATHS
Opportunities to experience:
“Victorian” mathematical skills
Counting using an abacus
Rote learning & “Times Tables”
£.s.d. and sums executed on a slate
How many strokes of the cane? 

 


ART
Investigating & Making
Sketching
Investigating texture, colour and pattern
Designing collages, banners, rag rugs etc.
Extension work: *make a banner at school
Display work
Grave rubbings

*Use a loan box from the museum to help you.

 

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY
Combining knowledge & understanding with designing & making:


K.S.1
Help to peg a rag rug
Try your hand at cross stitch embroidery
Darn a sock
Compare health & safety today with that of Victorian times
Design & make various items linked to a Victorian Christmas
Design & make a Victorian replica toy
Enjoy playing with Victorian toys and evaluate their design   

 

K.S.2
As above plus the following:
Take photographs of your experiences
Investigate and record your findings electronically
Comparison of materials for suitability
Comparison of “Riggers” and ease of use
Comparison of economic measures then & now
Comparison of environmental situations then & now
Evaluation of what we can do to protect the environment

Extension work back at school:
Design & make (Peg) a rag rug
Design & make a banner
Design & make a calendar using your photographs
Promote the calendar as a fundraising initiative in school
Make an oral history presentation from your recordings

 

 

GEOGRAPHY
Consideration of environmental issues
Learning from our heritage
Preservation of the environment
Track the itinerary of a Primitive Methodist minister


Huge opportunities for:

  • Role play - Victorians, Characters “Ranters”
  • Rote learning
  • Hugh Bourne’s “Reading & Spelling Books
  • Writing on a slate with a slate pencil
  • Signing documents with a Dip pen
  • Speaking, listening, discussing, evaluating
  • Finding out / exploring / detectives worksheets
  • Research: note taking, hot seating.
  • Historical enquiry, interviewing, oral history
  • Writing poems, stories, plays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to the pupils of Crescent, Sneyd Green and Burnwood Primary Schools for appearing on this page of our website.