Museum learning

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What can I learn at Derby Museums?

Welcome to our new education programme, full of exciting learning opportunities for you and your pupils.

Derby Museums offers a range of innovative learning opportunities for school groups across three sites: Museum and Art Gallery, Pickford's House and The Silk Mill.

We have a large variety of Workshops available for Key Stages One, Two, Three and Four.

To make a booking please telephone us on 01332 641901.

Choose from taught workshops or self-guided visits that cover curriculum-linked topics in Art and Design, History and Science.

For more informal learning opportunities for adults, children and young people please visit the Events and Exhibitions page.

Learning at Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Secrets of the Mummies (Key Stage Two)

Guided by either Joseph Strutt or Miss Longdon, who were both real Derby- based collectors of Egyptian antiquities, pupils will be led through the process of making a mummy, using an array of replica objects and a willing volunteer! Pupils will also have the chance to explore the two mummies on display in the museum.

  • Cost: £60
  • Optional extra: Make a shabti figure, £20
  • Souvenir goody bag £2 each child

Roman Derby (Key Stage Two)

Pupils will be led by Senilis the Roman potter who will tell them about his life using many of the authentic items on display in the Origins Gallery to illustrate his story. Derby is well known for its large Roman cemetery and pupils will take part in recreating the elaborate customs of a Roman funeral.

  • Cost: £60
  • Optional extra: Make a replica Derby ware pot, £20
  • Souvenir goody bag £2 each child

Vikings (Key Stage Two)

Pupils will examine a replica Viking burial and complete a Skeleton Recording Sheet, take part in a mock excavation, and learn how to use objects to find out information about a Viking's life and status. They will also explore the Runic Alphabet and have a go at predicting their futures.

  • Cost: £60
  • Optional extra: Make a replica Hammer of Thor pendant, £20

Looking at Art (Key Stage Two)

Pupils will be introduced to alternative ways of experiencing art through activities which encourage active pupil participation, such as ‘performing’ artworks as a human orchestra. The activities are designed to enrich pupils' interpretations of the works on display and recognise that an encounter with art is often a multi-sensory experience.

  • Cost: £60
  • Optional extra: Self-portrait workshop, £20

Habitat Heaven (Key Stage Two)

Pupils will be introduced to some of the habitats in Derbyshire and discover what they offer the plants and animals that live there. They will be able to experience a range of animal and bird exhibits and study how animals are adapted to their way of life. Pupils will then apply this knowledge and embark on the challenge to become ‘Habitat Heaven’ estate agents.

  • Cost: £60
  • Optional extra: Stick Insect handling, £20

Nature Detectives (Key Stage One)

Pupils will learn about some of the habitats in Derbyshire and what those habitats offer the plants and animals that live there. Pupils will handle a range of animal and bird exhibits and learn about their bodies and how they survive in their habitat. In this hands-on session, children will embark on the challenge to become Nature Detectives.

To do this, and receive their sticker, they must complete a number of challenges based on finding out more about the habitats on display.

  • Cost: £60
  • Optional extra: Stick Insect handling, £20

Stick Insect Sleepover (Key Stages One and Two)

In this highly interactive session, pupils will be introduced to the wonderful world of insects and other invertebrates. Pupils will be able to examine specimens and handle live stick insects with help from one of our workshop leaders. Pupils will then be able to care for the stick insects in the classroom for up to four weeks.

A pack of support material will accompany the insects.

  • Cost: £100 each half day

Little SmARTies (Foundation Stage)

In this highly interactive workshop designed especially for Early Years groups, pupils will take part in storytelling, dancing, dressing up and mystery object hunts linked to the Joseph Wright of Derby collection of fine art.

  • Cost: £35

Trench Warfare (Key Stages 3 and 4)

Your student's will meet First World War Tommy, Private George Woods who will give an account of life in the trenches using objects from the museums' collection. Pupils will have the opportunity to handle objects and discuss the consequences of trench warfare, particularly the impact on soldiers and the weaponry used.

  • Cost: £65

Modern Warfare (Key Stage 4 and above)

Through access to modern kit and equipment, students will be able to discuss the working lives of soldiers and the key features of modern warfare. Students will be introduced to the concept of Rules of Engagement and encouraged to take part in a discussion of the ethics of modern warfare.

  • Cost: £65

Learning at Pickford's House

Time Travel Toys (Key Stage 1)

Your pupils will be encouraged to think about life before electricity and batteries. They will be able to handle and play with a range of moving historical toys and compare them to modern equivalents.

  • Cost: £65
  • Optional extra: make a traditional toy to take away £20

Houses and Homes (Key Stage 1)

A member of the enlightenment century Pickford family will welcome your pupils to the house and take them on a guided tour, discussing each room and the sorts of things they do in them. Pupils will be encouraged to make comparisons with similar rooms in their own homes and to investigate a number of household objects from the past.

  • Cost: £65
  • Optional extra: try making a clay house plaque £20

Victorian Voyage (Key Stage 2)

Your pupils will enter the house as prospective applicants for a new servant post at Pickford's House. All pupils will be given items of costumes to wear and encouraged to participate in a range of hands-on activities.

  • Cost: £65

Children at War (Key Stage 2)

Your pupils will experience what it is like to shelter in the Pickford's House cellar during an air raid attack. Our ARP warden will train your pupils to deal with gas attacks, incendiary bombs and civilian casualties. There will also be the chance to explore the causes and effects of rationing on people's lives during WWII.

Learning at your own School

Meet an Archaeologist

Become a trainee archaeologist in this interactive session, learning about the tools and techniques used before taking part in a mock excavation.

Meet an Egyptian

Your Egyptian guide will show you how to perform a wedding ceremony for the Pharaoh and make an Egyptian collar to wear at the Pharaoh's wedding celebrations.

Meet a Viking

Re-enact a Viking market and trading voyage, listen to Viking stories and make a Viking storybook.

Meet a Roman

Train to be a roman soldier! Prepare for battle, practice your battle skills and make a helmet and sword to aid your victory!

Stick Insects in Schools Sleepover (Key Stage 1 and 2)

Invite our stick insects to stay! Pupils will be able to examine insect specimens, handle the stick insects and learn how to care for them before signing up to look after them in school for up to four weeks. A pack of support material will be accompanying the insects with information on their care requirements and ideas for using them to support your curriculum.

  • Cost: Derby City Schools £90, Non-Derby City Schools £120
  • Length: All workshops are half a day and are for one class

Discovery boxes

Our Discovery Boxes contain handling objects, worksheets, gallery activities and comprehensive teacher notes. The boxes are designed to be used independently as part of a self-guided visit.

Discovery boxes are charged at a rate of £10 per day. You may use the box with more than one class if you wish. If you intend to do this, it is recommended that you stagger your groups as the boxes are not intended for use by more than 30 children at a time.

To make a booking please telephone us on 01332 641901.

Souvenir goody bags

Take the stress out of shopping and pre-order each of your pupils a souvenir goody bag to take home. Each bag costs £2.

  • Roman goody bag - a sample goody bag includes: a Roman colouring card, a replica Roman coin, a pencil sharpener, a Roman ruler, a pencil. *
  • Egyptian goody bag - a sample goody bag includes: an Egyptian colouring card, colouring pencils, a mummy postcard, an Egyptian pencil, a papyrus bookmark. *

* Contents may vary according to availability.

To order, please telephone us on 01332 641901.

Things You Need to Know

Booking

All group visiting Derby Museums need to book in advance. To book, telephone us to discuss your requirements. All of our workshops are supported by a Teacher's Pack which will be sent you with your booking.

Leading your own group

We understand that sometimes the best option for you is to lead your own class around the museum sites. There is no charge to do this but it is essential that you book in advance.

Group sizes

To ensure you have the best experience with your class, group sizes are limited accordingly:

  • 35 children in each group at Museum and Art Gallery and the Silk Mill
  • 30 children in each group at Pickford's House
  • A minimum ratio of 1 adult for 6 Foundation Stage/Key Stage 1 pupils and 1 adult for 10 Key Stage 2 pupils is required.

Cancellations

We need at least ten working days notice for cancellation of a booked workshop. Where in sufficient notice is given, we reserve the right to charge groups the full cost of the booking

Risk assessments

You may request copies of our risk assessments when you book your visit. Please note that these are not designed to replace your own risk assessment requirements.

Lunch facilities

The Museum and Art Gallery offers a classroom space that can be booked for lunches or for group activities when visiting our museum sites. Please discuss this with us when you make your booking.

There are no designated lunch facilities at Pickford's House or The Silk Mill.

Access

Both the Museum and Art Gallery and The Silk Mill are both fully accessible.

At Pickford's House wheelchair access is limited to the ground floor, lower ground floor and garden. There are no accessible toilets at this site.

Useful forms

Contact details

E-mail:
Post address: Derby Museums and Art Gallery
The Strand
Derby
DE1 1BS
Phone: 01332 641901
Minicom: 01332 256666

Derby Museums and Art Gallery
The Strand
Derby
DE1 1BS