On-site Learning Sessions
with Northampton Museums & Art Gallery.
Our on-site learning sessions complement classroom based studies and help teachers
meet the requirements of the National Curriculum.
Pupils will:
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have access to original objects, paintings and sculptures
handle the 'real thing'
be stimulated and challenged through facilitated sessions
improve and enhance key skills of investigating, communicating, reflection and
evaluation
Shoes at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery.
History of shoes
KS1&2
Pupils will find out about shoes by looking at footwear through the ages using the
museum’s extensive shoe handling collection. Pupils will handle different examples of
footwear and explore how materials, fastenings and shoe shapes have changed over the
years. This session includes a self-guided gallery tour.
£70 per 1.5 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
Shoemaking
KS2
In this session pupils will experience how shoes are made. They are taken through the
different parts of the shoe, the many processes and tools that a shoemaker uses to make
shoes by hand. This session includes a self-guided gallery tour.
£80 per 1.5 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
Made to Last
KS2
This workshop allows pupils to explore the characteristic features of Victorian times and
find out how changes in work had an impact on the lives of real people. In role as
shoemakers' children in 1857, the pupils will actively help a Northampton shoemaker’s wife
discover whether the new machines would put them out of jobs.
£80 per 2 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
From the Ground Up
KS2
Pupils will use shoes from the around the world to investigate world culture. Starting with
the shoes and working their way up, they will build the characteristics of different people
from around the world. Other items from the world cultures collection are used to support
this session. This session includes a self-guided gallery tour.
£80 per 2 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
Science Behind the Shoe
KS2
This session encourages children to use the scientific skills of observation, fair testing and
experimentation, while linking to their knowledge of real world situations. Part of this
activity is teacher led and includes a self-guided gallery tour.
£100 per 2 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
Our shoe sessions are combined with a self-guided tour of the Shoe Galleries. The ‘Life
and Sole’ Gallery documents the history of shoes and shoemaking; and the ‘Followers of
Fashion’ Gallery is based on shoe fashions. These two galleries showcase a proportion of
the 13,000 pairs of shoes in the Shoe Collection.
Northamptonshire schools may wish to do one or more of these sessions as part of a
study of local history.
The Victorians at Abington Park Museum
A Day in the Life
KS1
Our facilitator will tell the story of one special day in a Victorian child’s life. This is an
interactive storytelling session, where children have the chance to dress up, do
household chores and play with Victorian toys. This session includes a self-guided
gallery tour.
£80 per 1.5 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
Investigating the Victorians
KS1&2
This is a handling session using real objects, some of which were actually used by
Victorians. Pupils have the chance to investigate health, hygiene, education and
everyday life. This session includes a self-guided gallery tour.
£70 per session 1.5 hour, maximum number of pupils 35
Victorian Schoolroom
KS2
Experience the strict regime of Victorian schooling. Children will take part in an exercise
drill, use slate pencils and slates, and work towards achieving the school medal. This
session includes role play and a self-guided gallery tour.
£80 per 2 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
Introduction to History for younger pupils at Abington Park Museum.
Toys
Reception/KS1 - A great introduction to history
We have a wide variety of toys including a zoetrope, egg and cup, a 1950s Rupert the
Bear and a Javanese rod puppet. We look at materials and how toys have changed
through time. This session includes a self-guided gallery tour.
£70 per 1.5 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
1940s Washday
KS1&2
Pupils will learn how to do washing by hand using original objects like a washtub,
scrubbing board, Lifebouy soap and mangle. This session includes a self-guided gallery
tour.
£70 per 1.5 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
Homes in the Past
KS1&2
Using a variety of household objects, this session investigates homes of days gone by.
Discover how to clean rugs, do the washing and make butter plus much more! This
session includes a self-guided gallery tour.
£70 per session, maximum number of pupils 35
The World Wars at Abington Park Museum
First World War Activity Day
KS2
Delivered in collaboration with the Royal and Derngate Theatre.
Activity Days run from 10am – 2pm with a break for lunch.
The day will enable pupils to:
 Investigate the lives of local men who went to fight on the front line
 Use real objects of the time to experience daily trench life
 Collect and use evidence to find out about local events and write a newspaper
article
 Experience the trenches through a practical drama workshop.
£300.00 per day, maximum number of pupils 60.
Second World War
The Home Front
KS2
In this session pupils will find out about the experiences of the people of Northampton
during the Second World War. This session is set in the early 1940s and includes
handling original objects and a self-guided gallery tour.
£70 per 1.5 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
Evacuee
KS2
Using authentic objects pupils find out what it was like to be an evacuee, then write a letter
home to parents in London. This session includes a self-guided gallery tour.
£70 per 1.5 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
(The Evacuee session can be booked to coincide with the Home Front Session instead of
the gallery tour at no additional cost if it is teacher led)
World Culture Studies:
Ancient Egyptians
KS2
This session includes three workshops:
Opening of the Mouth Ceremony - A replica mummy and Anubis mask are amongst the
objects used for this funeral rite. Pupils re-enact the ceremony that will bring the dead
person everlasting life. (Museum Facilitator led)
Hieroglyphics Workshop - Pupils use reed pens and ink to write in pictures and symbols
on real papyrus! This workshop is teacher-led and delivered at the same time as the
session above.
Gallery Tour - Using our display of Ancient Egyptian objects pupils will learn about
Egyptian practices through the use of gallery worksheets (teacher led)
£100 per 2 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35.
Location: Abington Park Museum.
Legacy of the Ancient Greeks
KS2
Through the exploration of Greek pottery pupils discover the myths, legends, gods and
goddesses of Ancient Greece. This session includes handling objects and is combined
with a practical activity where pupils design their own Greek pottery.
£70 per 1.5 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
Location: Northampton Museum & Art Gallery.
Art & Design at Abington Park Museum
Looking at Portraits
KS2 & 3
This session enables pupils to discuss, question and critique portraits on display at the
museum. By looking at the composition of a painting, they will be able to record and
analyse their findings in a variety of ways, learning how to use a portrait as a piece of
historical evidence. This session includes access to original artwork and practical arts
activities.
£100 per 2 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35.
Sculpture
KS1, 2 & 3
Pupils are encouraged to feel the materials of the sculptures in our handling collection.
They will investigate material, design and practical application. They will gain valuable
insight into the work of the sculptor from concept through to final piece. Pupils also get
the opportunity to make a sculpture using their new knowledge. This session includes
access to original artwork and practical arts activities.
£100 per 2 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35.
Local History at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
Archaeological Dig
KS1&2
In this session pupils will find out about Northampton’s past through the use of original
objects. Using their investigative skills, like archaeologists, they will find out what the
objects are and place them in chronological order. This session includes a self-guided
gallery tour.
£70 per 1.5 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
Hunsbury Hillfort
KS3/4
Visit the museum for a talk about the different interpretations of Hunsbury Hillfort’s
function. Pupils can also look at the displays, assess model reconstructions and discuss
the significance of finds from the site. This session includes a self-guided gallery tour.
£50 per 1.5 hour session, maximum number of pupils 50
Life in Roman Britain
KS2
A variety of original objects, such as: coins, pottery, mosaics, oil lamps and replica roman
armour, are used to bring Roman Britain alive. Through discovery and exploration of
these objects pupils learn about life in Roman Britain. This session includes a self-guided
gallery tour.
£70 per 1.5 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35
Anglo Saxon and Viking Life
KS2
Pupils are involved in a variety of activities using original and replica objects. They will
examine house-building methods using wattle and daub; and learn weaving techniques
to explore costume and see how clothes were made. This session includes a self-guided
gallery tour.
£70 per 1.5 hour session, maximum number of pupils 35.
Our local history sessions are combined with a tour of the Hamtun galleries on the top
floor. The displays here are a journey through time from the lower Palaeolithic (Old Stone
Age) through to the mid-1600s. Our Shoe Town New Town Gallery continues the journey
from 1675 when a fire destroyed much of the town, through to the mid-20th Century.