Victorian Schoolroom

Key Stage 1 & 2

Portland Basin Museum

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What’s Involved

Timings: 2 hour facilitated workshop (timings may be adjusted slightly eg. for full day bookings)
Venue: Portland Basin Museum
Costs: £111.50 for TMBC schools / £122 for non-TMBC schools

This workshop focuses on what it was like for children to have an education in Victorian Britain. Taking place in the Victorian schoolroom at Portland Basin Museum, your pupils will step back in time and sample a typical day as a Victorian schoolchild - all under the strict supervision of our resident school teacher! The children will be taught the school rules and experience an exercise drill. The workshop also includes a look at some original Victorian school books and artefacts from daily life.

During the workshop, the group will be split in half then swap over to ensure a quality experience for everyone. Participants will have time to explore the museum or get hands on with our ‘history mystery’ handling objects to investigate changes over time. Explore the past, compare to the now and imagine the future with our activity sheet and resources. We provide everything your group will need to take part.

Learning Opportunities

  • Pupils will be able to identify the key differences between education today and education in Victorian times.
  • Pupils will understand how the school day was structured in Victorian times.
  • Undertake research for a local history or thematic study.

Extend Your Experience

At the museum: you can book to combine with a second workshop for a facilitated full day experience.
At school: before or after your visit, why not book to borrow a Museum in a Box?

Venue information

This workshop is delivered at Portland Basin Museum:

  • There is free onsite parking for coaches – please note the car park has a cobbled surface.
  • Please let us know if you would like your class to eat lunch at the museum and we will provide you with a space.
  • There is a museum shop where your class is welcome to make purchases under supervision or we can arrange goody bags in advance.
  • A site risk assessment is available.