Widening Participation and Outreach at the
Modern Records Centre
The Modern Records Centre hosts a wealth of resources, with archives dating back to the mid-19th
Century. The collections it holds appeal to a variety of audiences and can be developed for a range of
ages and interests. We can offer sessions for schools and colleges, which give students an
introduction to archives and allow them to interpret authentic documents first hand. We have found
that handling our archives creates a personal connection to history, an invaluable opportunity for
the students. Through visits to the MRC and archive sessions, we hope to inspire an enthusiasm
towards history and encourage students to pursue these interests through higher education.
A visit to the MRC can include:
 A tour of the strong rooms
 An introduction to archives and how to use them
 Support for coursework and projects such as the Extended Project Qualification, including
subject-specific sessions
 Time for independent research and study, using the archive materials
 Information about how to register with the MRC and how to use the centre independently
 Schools sessions, supporting the current national curriculum
 Sessions on dealing with primary sources (including analysis and evaluation)
Responses:
‘Students were shown the background information –how to find resources.
Excellent range of resources. Provided opportunities for further research’
‘We were able to work together in groups and use the real archives to gather
information. It’s something we have never been able to do before.’
‘I really enjoyed it and would love to do similar activities in the future!’
‘It allowed me to fully identify with the people affected by events in history!’