History/ Social Studies

Want to engage your pupils in an out-of-the-classroom experience? What better way to understand the importance of primary and secondary sources for your Scottish or British topics than visiting an authentic Scottish Colliery which has borne witness to all the industrial and political changes from the 1895 to 1981.

We recommend booking a Guided Tour with one of our ex-miner tour guides when booking this workshop! Their knowledge and experience is second to none.

What does the workshop include?

OPTION 1 – Sources

Pupils/students will hear a first-hand account and see photographs and records from the NMMS Recognised Collection. This is tailored to your topic and previous groups have chosen to look at the 1842 Royal Commission Report on the Employment of Children and others oral history recordings from miners who took part in the 1984/5 Miners Strike.

These sources will be evaluated and discussed by pupils who can either debate or create their own thesis in the form of a poster. Duplicates of evidence will be provided and this can be taken back to class.

OPTION 2 – Your Local Area (available in the Museum or as an outreach workshop at your school)

This is a fantastic inter-disciplinary workshop which is tailored to suit your school and class requirements. Either as a standalone workshop, with resources, or it can take place over several workshops. Pupils will undergo a historical and geographical investigation of their local area. Why was the village/town built? What was the main employer, has this changed? What impact has the mining industry had? What evidence can still be seen in your environment?
Workshops can include:
1. Using historical sources such as maps, plans and photographs
2. Investigating the coal mining industry in your local area
3. Creating your own exhibition – NMMS loan boxes can be
borrowed and we have free resources for pupils and teaching
staff
4. Follow on activities including recording local features,
historical buildings or structures. Where possible an outdoor
investigation of your local coal mine may be possible.

Want to make this a larger project? Speak to a member of the NMMS Education Team.