School Workshops

We offer a wide range of living history and visual art workshops.

View session costings.

To find out more or book a workshop, please contact our Learning and Access Manager Tracy Webster on 0161 343 2878.

If you are interested in doing a workshop on something that you don't see listed - please ask us and we will be able to help.

Workshop List

Town Trail (KS1 - 4)

Curriculum links: Art, History, Geography

Meet The Storyteller for a 90 minute tour of Ashton’s Town Centre to embrace the historical highlights of the area. The storyteller will take you on a magical journey of historical happenings in order to appreciate both the local history and the characters that made Ashton-under-Lyne. The role of Storyteller is an interactive character that will carry a basket of light props to bring the trail to life. The Storyteller can literally step in and out of role when needed to meet all your historical needs!

Although the town trail is a half day session, you can turn your visit into a full day by combining it with another one of our facilitated learning sessions at any of our Ashton sites.

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Upstairs Downstairs (KS1 - 4)

Curriculum links: Art, History, Geography, English

This engaging full day session will take place at Portland Basin Museum. Our morning session will focus on the life of a privileged Victorian child and will be facilitated by our very own Victorian schoolmistress, introducing Victorian education and home life. Students will also have the opportunity to play with Victorian toys and take part in a Victorian art activity.

After lunch the children will meet a new character, Lizzie, who has travelled from the past to explain what life was like for children in Victorian times in the workplace. Children will have the opportunity, through role play, to experience what life was like for a working child by taking part in a variety of Victorian work related hands on activities, linking to employment in the coal mine, the mills, a stately home and life on the farm.

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Rain Drop Jenny (KS1 - 4)

Curriculum links: Art, History, Geography, English, Science

Whilst visiting ‘Waterworks’ participants will be able to witness first hand through realistic sights, sounds and smells what life was like to live in Tameside’s disease stricken slums of the early 1800’s. John Frederick Bateman, through the construction of the Longdendale reservoirs, transformed the lives of people living in the borough by providing clean, disease free drinking water. Come along and meet Jenny, a happy go lucky raindrop who will engage the children in her tales with imaginative storytelling and role play with cleverly placed props and costume within the gallery.

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Victorian Schoolroom

The children are prepared for Victorian school by going through school rules and an exercise drill. The group will divide in two and take turns to learn some hard lessons in the schoolroom. The session also includes a look at some original Victorian schoolbooks and artefacts from daily life.

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Home & Hearth

Pupils meet a character from Victorian times, and have the opportunity to look around the kitchen and the parlour in an old house in two groups. They will do some object handling and rag-rugging. When not with the Victorian character, they will look around the old street in small groups. A talking points resource sheet will be provided for teachers to use during the session.

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Victorian Toys

This workshop looks at toys through the ages. Using the National Curriculum toys’ subject language, pupils create their own toy timeline before having the opportunity to play with a variety of old toys in the school yard. The session finishes with the pupils playing Victorian parlour games.

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World War One

This session is led by our costumed living-history expert ‘Tommy Atkins’. The session offers students an opportunity to handle original period artefacts as well to try on the uniform and equipment of a First World War soldier. This dynamic and engaging session includes an introduction to the causes of the First World War, activities that bring the period back to life and a short audio/visual presentation highlighting one boy’s story of service and sacrifice to King and Country. The session is complimented by the Museums First World War Trench Experience, including rats and authentic sounds and smells of trench life and warfare.

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World War Two (KS 1 - 4)

This is a half day session focusing on the Second World War. Participants will become evacuees under the guidance of Mrs Hodson, our very own WVS lady who will prepare children for wartime life through a variety of engaging, hands on activities. Take cover in our very own Anderson Shelter, embrace vital ARP and take part in Make do and Mend activities. Throughout this session you will have the opportunity to experience both Setantii and The Museum of The Manchester Regiment Museum.

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The Romans

The session will include a look at Roman objects, replicas and a mosaic activity. The groups will also have the opportunity to do a Roman lesson, role-play, worksheets and an archaeological activity. Subjects covered are Roman Invasion, Settlement and life in Roman Britain.

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The Tudors

Through role-play and hands-on activities pupils learn about life during Tudor times. The workshop is a drama based session including "speaking & listening". The session refers to Tudor life, both rich & poor and also looks at Catholic & Protestant beliefs, according to Elizabeth I. There is a handling collection and decision making elements included within the session. Also for your continued learning there is scope for follow up work back in school, for example, creative writing and Shakespeare.

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Literacy Hour (KS1 - 4)

This fun and innovative session can be adapted to meet all your literacy requirements. From storytelling and drama to poetry and beyond, our facilitators will deliver a session to inspire writing and communication for children of all ages.

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Brasso, Blanco and Bull

A living history workshop offered at the Museum of the Manchester Regiment. The session is led by our costumed living history character 'Corporal Cook' brings this period of history back to life.

This hands-on session gives participants a flavour of army national service during the 1950’s, from being “Called-Up”, through “The Medical” and “Basic Training” at Ladysmith Barracks (Ashton under Lyne). Participants get a chance to handle period objects and try on period uniform and equipment.

This dynamic and engaging session also enables participants to meet with a local Manchester Regiment National Service Veteran. This opportunity for intergenerational discussion is stimulated by an activity making a “Basha” or tent by participants, led by the veteran – developing communication skills and team working abilities among participants in the process.

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Victorian Christmas (November and December Only)

Pupils are met by a Victorian character and go carol singing round the Victorian lampposts. Pupils explore old toys and differences for rich and poor children celebrating Christmas. They visit the Victorian Christmas kitchen, make a Victorian Christmas decoration in the parlour and play favourite Victorian Christmas parlour games. When not with the Victorian character, pupils look around the old street in small groups. A talking points resource sheet will be provided for teachers to use during the session.

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Art from Tameside (KS1 - 4)

Curriculum links: Art, History, Geography

This session can be booked for a half or full day. During this workshop participants will be introduced to local artists, and their work. These artists all have a strong relationship with Tameside and a passion for the local surroundings. Artist list includes: Simeon Stafford, Martin Palmer, Harry Rutherford and LS Lowry. Through discussion and art based activities students will consider the work they have seen and then participate in a variety of activities.

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Trades from Tameside (KS1 - 4)

Curriculum links: Art, History, Geography

This session can be booked for a half or full day. Participants will make direct links with the historical industry of Tameside in a creative, educational and fun way. We will consider Tameside's Industrial roots, focusing on hat making and textiles. Students will spend time doing different art based activities, learning new and expressive techniques. Activities will include: weaving and felt making.

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What’s in a Painting? (KS1 - 4)

Cross Curricular

This workshop format is a little more flexible. This is where you the teacher and your class can ask our team to deliver a session around a theme that links to topic work back in the classroom. If you want to look at the rain forest, we can, what about the art work of local artist Simeon Stafford, or the work of Matisse, It’s up to you. To discuss please contact our team.

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Drawing and Painting (KS1 - 4)

Curriculum links: Art, History

This can be booked as a half day or full day workshop with the focus on participants drawing and painting skills. Activities during this session will include drawing games to encourage and develop observational skills and fast action drawing with students modelling for each other. This session will also build on the student’s confidence and existing skills.

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The Astley Cheethams and Art (KS1 - 4)

Curriculum links: Art, History

Tameside Museums and Galleries Service is very proud of its collection. Astley Cheetham Art Gallery originally opened as a lecture theatre and then was turned into a gallery to house the Astley Cheetham Art Collection. During this workshop students will have the opportunity to view artwork from the collection and then make direct links between these masterpieces and the artwork each student produces during the session.

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Portraits

Using Tameside Museums and Galleries’ collection of art as reference, children will learn how to draw portraits, develop drawing skills and then create their own portrait to take back to school.

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Landscapes

During the session pupils will explore landscapes and landscape-paintings looking at foreground, mid ground and background, gaining an understanding of perspective and composition whilst creating their own landscapes.

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The Egyptians

Pupils will have the opportunity to learn about Ancient Egypt and find out why we know so much about them. Pupils will experiment with hieroglyphics and take away a canopic jar creation.

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Pattern

Pupils will explore the way pattern is used and what it can tell us. The children will look at patterns from around the world and look at artists who use pattern in their work. The group will generate their own designs using different media and experiment with the decoration.

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Investigating Materials

Pupils will have the opportunity to learn how artists use various materials and techniques to create artworks and then put them into practice. The workshop will encourage pupils to think and try unconventional ways of mark making.

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Hats

The group will be able to try on a selection of hats and look at objects relating to Tameside's hatting industry. They will then design and make their own hats, finishing with a fun fashion parade.

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Talking Textiles

Pupils will take part in fun activities exploring the history of costume and look at what clothing can tell us. The group will design and make 2D paper clothes and explore techniques such as pleating, stitching and padding. There will be an opportunity to print patterns on to the clothes using different methods.

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Local Artist Harry Rutherford (KS1 - 4)

Curriculum links: Art, History, Geography

Harry Rutherford was a local lad born and bred in Tameside. Harry would be spotted as a child busily drawing and perfecting his craft. With a long and varied career his work moves between many different styles and techniques.

With real examples for inspiration students will participate in activities that include pocket drawings, producing a charcoal and chalk study and finally creating their own masterpiece.

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Seaside

Our holidays have changed so much over the years. Using our seaside museum collection, this workshop reflects on how we used to holiday during Victorian times and how we holiday now, the places we visited then and now and the fundamental differences. During the session pupils create their own Aunt Sally board, as well as explore other seaside based activities.

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Victorian Childhood (KS1 - 4)

Curriculum links: Art, History

What do you think it would be like to be a child in Victorian times. Using objects and photographs from the collection our facilitator will bring this subject to life through object handling, discussion and activities. This fun packed session will encourage participants to make direct comparisons between life then and now. Students will also have the opportunity to make simple toys to take away wit them.

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3D Sculpture (KS1 - 4)

Curriculum links: Art, History

This workshop is all about working in 3D. Students will discuss the idea of a sculpture - What is a sculpture? How big are they? What are sculptures made of? Art based activities during this session will include making models, looking at structure and producing their own sculpture.

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Greek Myth

Learn about ancient Greek theatre and masks. Explore the stories of Medusa and the Cyclops to design and make your own mythical beast mask.

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Victorian Christmas (November and December only)

This art based workshop focuses on Victorian Christmas. Pupils are met by one of our facilitators and each will explore and discuss a Victorian Christmas. Each student will have the opportunity to take part in 3 different Victorian craft activities.

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Christmas Craft (November and December only)

This art based workshop focuses on Christmas. Pupils are met by one of our facilitators and each will explore and discuss Christmas. Each student will have the opportunity to take part a variety of craft activities.

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Outreach Sessions

Finding it difficult to get here? Did you know we can come to you? Please contact the Learning and Access Manager if you have any queries or would like to book.

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Costings

Workshop Sessions

Special 20% discount if you block book more than 10 sessions.

Outreach Sessions

Teacher Inset Days

Museum in a Box

All Schools - £30 per week

To find out more or book a workshop, please contact our Learning and Access Manager Tracy Webster on 0161 343 2878.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Portland Basin Museum Portland Place Ashton-under-Lyne OL7 0QA  View local map
0161 343 2878
0161 343 2869