Special Collections: Schools and Outreach

In partnership with our Outreach and Widening Participation team at London Metropolitan University, we support the delivery of school workshops for Key Stage 2 (7-11 years old) pupils. 

Our workshops aim to introduce different themes and histories documented by the records in Special Collections, and use Primary Sources to support subjects like History and Creative Writing.

Using Primary Sources, pupils are encouraged to consider: 

- what a document or photograph tells us
- who wrote it and why
- who the intended audience was

Pupils are also introduced to archives, and asked to think about why we collect records, what value they hold and how they help us learn about the past.

Our Key Stage 2 workshops are usually 45-60 mins in length and include an introduction to:

- archives and why we collect records
- the chosen theme or history e.g. Migration
- examples of different records we hold about the related theme or history

During this introductory stage, pupils are asked questions about their own understanding of archives, and are encouraged to think about records in their own life they collect or keep.

For example, photographs on a smart phone they have 'archived' to remember people, places or events. 

Pupils are then asked to complete TWO activities, in small groups, that relate to examples in Special Collections. These activities aim to support comprehension and writing skills.