Learning with Prescot Museum...
Prescot Museum offer the following learning based services and workshops:
Outreach Based Workshops | Workshop Bookings | Museum Based Workshops | Object Loan Boxes
Outreach Based workshops
Knowsley Arts and Heritage Service is proud to present a feast of fun new living history workshops from Prescot Museum designed to bring history to life. We have developed workshops that can be delivered as a 1 hour session, and for selected topics a special 2 hour session that includes an art activity is available. The refreshed and all-new workshops are as follows…
“The Butler Did It!” – Victorian Homelife
Aimed at Year 1 - Year 2
1 hour
Jenkins needs your assistance: it’s one of the busiest days of the year in the household as important visitors from London are coming. To make matters worse, Mary the Maid has taken ill and is in bed, which means Jenkins the Butler has to do everything! You will help him with the washing, the polishing, preparing the range, mixing the ingredients for a cake, and beating the rag rug. None of this is as easy as life in the 21st century: in Victorian times everything takes much longer to do. If you can help Jenkins as much as possible, he just might get it all done in time for the visitors’ arrival - and you will have lots of fun on the way!
“It’s Brutusly Cold Up Here!” – Roman Britain
Aimed at Year 3 – Year 6
1 hour
Meet Aelius Brochus, a commanding officer stationed at Hadrian’s Wall. Aelius is very strict with his soldiers but he’s a friendly man too and will be more than happy to show you what life is like at the most northerly tip of the mighty Roman Empire. Choose which Roman god is your favourite as you learn about Cupid the god of love and Mars the god of war. Discover the secrets of Roman battles, see the weapons that make them so fierce, and learn how to march like a legionary. Find out how to keep yourself clean Roman-style, and hear about some tasty treats - what sauce is tastiest with boiled snails? You will even get to make your own mosaic too!
2 hour
In the great value 2 hour session you will make your own Roman legionary’s helmet with the help of Chris and Karen.
“There’s Norway I’m Messing With Him!” – Viking Britain
Aimed at Year 3 – Year 6
1 hour
About 1100 years ago Eskil travelled all the way from Norway to Britain and ended up in Kirkby of all places! Although he was a fierce and bloody warrior in his youth, he now prefers the peaceful life of a farmer. Learn all about life in Viking Britain, the gods they worship, the food they eat and see the incredible weapons used by these brutal men of war. You will learn some real Viking words and Eskil will even teach you how to write your own name in the ancient and magical Norse letters, the Runes. You won’t find any horns on Eskil’s helmet though - it’s an important thing to remember.
2 hour
In the 2 hour session you will get to make your own Viking helmet to take home with you, with the help of Chris and Karen.
“You Must Be Joking!” – The Tudors
Aimed at Year 3 – Year 6
1 hour
Meet Lester the Jester: he used to be Henry VIII’s favourite entertainer, but lately things aren’t going so well. His Royal Grumpiness has already chopped off two of his wives’ barnets, not to mention the heads of countless jousting opponents, servants and even friends. It’s a marvel that Lester has lived as long as he has! Lester will tell you all about the 6 wives of Henry VIII and the gruesome details of what became of them. He teach you exactly how to behave and what to wear at a royal banquet. You’ll discover what foods made the King the man he is today, and what smells the rest of the court has to put up with. Help is on the way however, as you will learn how to make your own odour-beating ‘tussie mussie’. Once the food has been eaten and the jokes and juggling are failing miserably, you will all learn how to dance the ‘Spanish Pavanne’ like a Tudor especially for the King’s entertainment. Make sure you get the steps right though, otherwise it’s ‘OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!’
2 hour
In the great-value 2 hour session you will also make magnificent masks to wear for the ball. Use your imagination to make the wildest and most colourful mask with the help of Chris and Karen.
“Play Like Back In The Day!” – Victorian Games
Aimed at Reception – Year 2
1 hour
Master Henry and Mistress Polly have been ever so silly and left all their toys in the stable with Mr Jones the Groom. He is just on his way back to the house to return them to the children, but before he does, you will get the chance to play with some of these fantastic toys. Before you play though, you must see how neatly you can write your names on the Victorian school slates that Henry and Polly use every day in their lessons. You will get to meet Polly’s favourite dolly and think of name for her. You’ll play with Archie the Acrobat, the Jolly Sailor, the Cheeky Monkey, Jacobs Ladder and many more, not to mention a great game of Marble Arch and the very tricky Spillikins.
“Be On Your Best Behaviour!” – Victorian Britain: Schoolroom
Aimed at Year 3 – Year 6
1 hour
Sit up straight, in silence, with your arms folded on the desk at all times. You are about to have a lesson with Mr Cooper, and he is in no mood for mischievous children. Take a trip back to Victorian Britain and experience first hand, the strict no-nonsense rules and regulations of the schoolroom. Mr Cooper likes children very much but he believes that some have to learn the hard way. Learn about the “Three R’s”: reading, writing and arithmetic. Prepare for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations by making your own Union Jack and learning how to bow or curtsy correctly. Finally, all must stand for a proud rendition of Mr Cooper’s favourite song, The National Anthem.
“It Sphinx In Here!” – Ancient Egypt
Aimed at Year 3 – Year 6
1 hour
Meet Nomti, the Embalmer. He is going to show you the gruesome job he does every day. See him pull the brains out of a mummy through its nose and put all its organs in jars. Eek! You will also find out about the Egyptian way of life, the food they eat, the gods they worship and the games they love to play. You will also get to make your own magical masks and learn how to haggle like an Egyptian merchant. Please note that this workshop is still in development and may not yet be available to book.
“Wish Him Luck As You Wave Him Goodbye!” – World War 2: Evacuees
Aimed at Year 2 – Year 6
1 hour
Liverpool is a very dangerous place in 1941: with the enemy dropping bombs and destroying hundreds of homes, it’s time for young Kenny and the rest of the kids from the city to be evacuated out to the countryside. Kenny will tell you all about the last time he was evacuated, when he went all the way to Hereford to stay with Miss Abrahams. You will pretend that you are being evacuated too, and Kenny will make sure you have your name tags and your all important Union Jack flag to wave to your family and friends as you say goodbye. Learn how to make yourself safe during a blitz and find out why Kenny is absolutely sick of carrots.
2 hour
In the great value 2 hour session you get the chance to meet a real evacuee and a real soldier. Please note that the 2 hour workshop is still in development and may not yet be available to book.
Click here to contact Prescot Museum for more information about the Outreach Based Workshops.
Workshop Bookings
If you are interested in any of these workshops or to find out more about the education service then please contact the museum on 0151 430 7787 and ask to speak to Sarah or Karen.
Cost for schools within Knowsley - One Hour Session £60, Two Hour Session £110
Cost for non-Knowsley schools - One Hour Session £75, Two Hour Session £125
Cost for other groups – Prices on application
Click here to contact Prescot Museum about Workshop Bookings.
Museum Based Workshops
The learning service also provides a number of workshops within the museum to support the changing exhibition programme. If you are interested in being kept informed of these workshops then please contact Sarah or Karen at the museum on 0151 430 7787.
Object Loan Boxes
If you want extra resources to help your class or group explore a historic subject, we have some specially prepared boxes of handling objects, along with activity and information packs, are available to schools and help bring historical subjects to life.
The loans boxes can be hired to use with pupils, and cost £8 per week.
Topics are:
• Dinosaurs and Fossils • Egyptians • Romans • Vikings • Tudors • Victorian Games • Victorian School Room • Victorian Home Life • Victorian Wash Day • World War II • Time
To book these loans boxes or find out more about them then call the museum on 0151 430 7787 and speak to Susan or Vicky.
