Find out what life was like for ordinary people doing extraordinary things...
Kids

Cumbria‘s Museum of Military Life tells the story of Cumbria’s County Infantry Regiments and its soldiers, past and present. We are passionate about making history accessible for all, and our Learning team have experience teaching topics to pupils with a wide variety of abilities and needs.

 

What is on offer?

We offer a range of visit types for both Primary and Secondary groups that utilise objects from the Museum’s diverse collection whilst making links to the National Curriculum.

Our workshops aim to develop pupils’ cultural capital and chronological understanding through hands-on experiences (such as object-handling) supported by discussion-based activities.

Schools are welcome to visit the Museum galleries as part of a self-guided visit, free of charge. You’ll have access to a range of displays, interactives (such as a morse code machine) and even a reconstructed trench. If you decide to have a self-guided visit, then let us know you are coming and the size of group so we can help accommodate your visit to the Museum and offer resources.

 

Standard Workshops:

All workshops are approximately 90 minutes and include group discussions, handling objects, historic photographs and local area links to Cumbria. Every trip incorporates a visit to the galleries with a bespoke trail for each workshop.

The First World War

(KS1, KS2 & KS3)

Learn all about what life was like for a Border Regiment soldier during the First World War through real artifacts from the Museum’s collection. Try on uniforms, examine documents and handle weapons used in ‘the Great War.’

Key themes:

  • Recruitment
  • Kit, equipment & weaponry
  • Trench life
  • Women’s wartime roles

 

The Second World War: The Life of a Soldier

(KS1, KS2 & KS3)

Learn all about what life was like for a Border Regiment soldier during the Second World War through real artifacts from the Museum’s collection. Try on uniforms, examine documents and handle weapons used.

Key themes:

  • Kit, equipment & weaponry
  • Recruitment
  • Propaganda
  • A brief look at changing women’s roles and the Home Front

 

The Second World War: The Home Front*

(KS1 & KS2)

A more in-depth opportunity to learn all about what was happening on the Home Front during the Second World War. Take part in a carousel of object-handling activities that cover four key aspects of life for the civilian population of Cumbria. *Please note, this workshop is only available until Friday 10th May 2024 and can only be booked if you have also booked our ‘The Life of a Soldier’ workshop.

Key themes:

  • Food and rationing
  • Women’s wartime roles
  • Children and evacuation
  • Air Raid Precautions (ARPs)

 

Seasonal Workshops:

Poppies and Remembrance

(KS1 & KS2)

What is Remembrance? Discover how the poppy is used as a symbol through storytelling and object handling.

Key themes:

  • Storytelling
  • The history of Remembrance
  • The evolution of the poppy
  • Commemoration

Coming soon: Christmas in Wartime Britain

Why not subscribe to our Schools Newsletter to be the first to hear about workshops, events and CPD opportunities?

Think we may be able to support your teaching but can’t find what you’re looking for? Please email learning@cmoml.org to discuss your requirements.

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FAQs –

Onsite (at the Museum): £2.50 per pupil per workshop

Outreach (in School): £65 half-day | £130 full-day (plus travel costs)

Teachers are welcome for a free familiarisation visit prior to making a school booking, just make the member of staff at the front desk aware of this when you arrive. If you would like to see the Learning room or speak with a member of the Learning team, please email learning@cmoml.org to arrange a suitable time.

Workshops at the Museum are usually provided in our Learning room on the first floor with a visit to the Galleries on the ground floor.

Jules Wooding:

Jules studied BA (Hons) History before undertaking a postgraduate diploma in Heritage Studies. She worked in various education-based roles across the arts, culture and heritage sector. Jules initially started as a volunteer at Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life in 2012 before becoming the Learning and Access Officer in 2014 until 2020 where she managed the education programme for schools, colleges, universities and communities. She was also a member of the Historical Association’s Primary Committee from 2012 to 2018. As part of her current role as Museum Manager, she oversees the Museum’s Learning and Access programme.

Rachel Brodie:

Rachel is a qualified teacher, having studied BA (Hons) Primary Education with specialisms in English and History. Upon graduation, she completed a traineeship in Museum Education with the Wordsworth Trust. She began working at Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life in May 2023, where she is responsible for supporting the development and delivery of the Museum's learning offer and developing and assisting with events.

Our Learning room can comfortably accommodate up to 50 pupils at one time.

We have a lunch space which can be reserved as part of your booking, included in the cost of your visit. This facility is also available if you are visiting for a self-guided visit, dependent on availability.

Our workshops have been designed to take place in the Museum. For enquiries relating to outreach, please email learning@cmoml.org.

There is no onsite parking but coach/minibus parking is available close by on Castle car park on the west wide of the Castle. There is a coach drop-off point at Tullie (opposite the Castle) and access to the Castle is via the underpass/crossing at the same location. Disabled parking is available in the Castle for cars and small minibuses only.

Due to the nature of the building, there is limited disabled access. For more information regarding accessibility, please email learning@cmoml.org.

Once we have confirmed your booking, you will receive a copy of our risk assessment. Please read this carefully and share information with the other adults coming with you. Should you have any other queries relating to H&S, please email learning@cmoml.org.

We host free CPD sessions at the Museum for school sta­ff, with opportunities to:

  • Tour the facilities and visit the galleries
  • Get up close with our handling collection
  • Find out more about our workshops
  • Discuss your requirements with our Learning team (over some biscuits and a brew!)

If you would like to receive information about our next CPD session, please send your email to learning@cmoml.org to be added to our mailing list.

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