NATIONAL COAL MINING MUSEUM
for England
Teachers’ Guide 2013/14
www.ncm.org.uk/learning
Welcome The National Coal Mining Museum for England tells the story of coal mining and its communities. Set in a real colliery, the Museum brings to life the history of one of the country’s oldest industries. Original pit buildings, interactive exhibitions and the chance to go underground in a real coal mine will give your pupils a unique learning experience they will never forget. The Museum’s education team offers hands-on learning activities for pupils across the key stages, including self-directed trails, facilitated workshops and talks which inspire and enrich learning in a number of subject areas. The education team is more than happy to advise you about how to get the most out of your visit.
A unique learning experience
www.ncm.org.uk
Explore the Museum: do? what is there to see &
Interactive to experienc ur es The underground tour The underground tour is an essential part of any school visit. With a former coal miner as their personal guide, pupils ride the cage 140 metres underground to discover first-hand what life was like as a miner. There are three tour options to choose from, each lasting 1 hour 20 minutes: ‘Meet a Miner’ gives pupils a journey through mining history; ‘Hands-On History’ and ‘Subterranean Science’ tours include interactive areas where pupils can try out mining jobs, see machines in action and investigate light, rocks and fossils. Explore authentic pit buildings See our steam winding engine in action, visit the pithead baths, where a miner’s shift started and finished, or see the ponies in the stables. Sights, sounds and smells combine to give each original pit building its own unique atmosphere. Galleries and exhibitions Our galleries and exhibition spaces show the history of coal mining and get to the heart of mining communities, homes and families. Our changing special exhibitions programme means there is always something new to discover.
Hope Pit How did miners get down the shaft? How did they breathe underground? How did they power their machines? Interactive displays and multimedia science exhibits explore science and technology concepts in a real-life industrial context. Nature trail and reed beds Visit the reed beds and find out how the Museum’s innovative watertreatment plant cleans iron-rich mine water pumped from underground. Follow the nature trail and see for yourself how the old colliery spoil tip has been regenerated into mixed woodland providing a habitat for wildlife, plants and trees. For further information about our inspiring, historic site, please visit our website: www.ncm.org.uk
Self-guided visits We have a range of activities and resources to support a self-guided visit. Our Gallery Trails have been designed for different key stages and can be downloaded from our website. We also have three KS1 and KS2 Explorer Trails to choose from: Rocks, Materials or Habitats. These should be booked in advance. KS3 and KS4 pupils can choose to follow a ‘Health and Safety’ trail or try our newest art resource, ‘Exploring urban and rural landscapes’, which develops drawing skills using the Museum’s varied landscape as inspiration.
Indoors, Outdoors, Explore www.ncm.org.uk
Facilitated Workshops Living history workshops Meet Sam or Sally Fletcher who worked underground as children in the earlynineteenth century or give a helping hand to Peggy Thorpe, a busy miner’s wife in 1944. Fred Glover will tell you all about the pithead baths in 1938 and Kitty or John Davy will explain how their brother, Humphry, invented the safety lamp.
Dig Deeper Meet one of our ex-miners to find out more about working life underground. Suitable for KS2 and KS3.
“The children were engaged throughout.Very enjoyable. Great session!” Middlestown Primary
Our costumed interpreters take your pupils back in time and immerse them in coal-mining history. Most of these sessions can be tailored for KS1, 2 and 3.
“The workshop encouraged them to ask questions. ” Nortonthorpe Hall School
“A fantastic session which really enhanced the pupils understanding of coal mining in the past. Sally Fletcher really brought history to life. ” Airedale Junior School
Living History
Facilitated Workshops Science in action Hands-on science workshops designed for KS1 and KS2 pupils explore winding and gears. Or pupils can investigate rocks and fossils in our Coal Seam:Time machine workshop. KS3 and KS4 pupils can explore the Museum’s water-treatment system and reed beds for cleaning minewater pumped from underground. Art workshops We have a fantastic art and photography collection and regularly run workshops with professional artists. Please visit our website for more information. Talks We can offer short expert talks on vocational subjects such as Health and Safety, Engineering and Leisure and Tourism. Please see the website for more details.
Facilitated workshops are chargeable and should be booked in advance. Some workshops are available seasonally. For more information about the range of learning activities on offer at the Museum please visit our website: www.ncm.org.uk/learning www.ncm.org.uk
Supporting your visit Outreach Unable to visit the Museum or looking for something extra to support your visit? Book one of our outreach sessions! Workshops are for KS1 and KS2 pupils and include science investigations, role play, object handling workshops and art. Activities are directly linked to the National Curriculum and can be adapted to suit the needs of your class.
Handling Collection We have a range of themed loans boxes which can be borrowed free of charge for up to a month at a time. Each box includes real objects, background information and images which stimulate curiosity and hands-on learning. Themes include the 1984/85 Miners’ Strike, Victorian mining and mining portraiture.
Videoconferencing Videoconferencing is an exciting and interactive way for pupils to learn about coal mining. Interview one of our miners in a ‘Meet a Miner’ session, or learn about the Bevin Boys and their contribution to World War II.
Pre- and Post-Visit Resources The education team has created a number of themed resources to support learning back in the classroom, including fact sheets, activity packs and CD ROMs. Some of these are sold in the shop or are available on our website.
Visit us How to book We advise that you book at least two weeks in advance of your visit and make a preliminary visit to ensure you get the most out of your experience at the Museum. Contact our Bookings Officer for more information on 01924 848806 or bookings.officer@ncm.org.uk Practical information We have a dedicated picnic area, indoor lunch spaces, toilets and lockable storage cupboards for use by school groups. There are free coach parking spaces available and an outside adventure playground. Our risk assessment advice document can be downloaded from the website. For local schools (5 mile radius only) we offer a 'parent drop-off' or 'minibus run' facility. Please let our Bookings Officer know if you require this. Access All areas of the visitor centre are accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. A shorter underground tour is provided for wheelchair users or visitors with mobility disabilities. Shop The Museum shop sells resources for teachers and a range of souvenirs and reference books. Goody bags for schools groups are available on request.
www.ncm.org.uk
Supervision requirements School groups take underground tours in groups of seventeen pupils and two adults. Around the rest of the Museum site, we recommend a ratio of one adult to every ten children. Contact us Please get in touch if you would like help planning your visit. Contact us on 01924 848806 or email education@ncm.org.uk Museum information National Coal Mining Museum for England, Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, Wakefield, WF4 4RH Tel: 01924 848806 Fax: 01924 844567 Email: info@ncm.org.uk Registered in England & Wales as a Limited Company by Guarantee No. 1702426. Reg. Charity No. 517325. VAT Reg. no. 457 548 314. Reg. Office: Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 4RH