“The children were absolutely riveted by both the ship and workshop. Dressing up and playing with the Victorian toys were definite highlights of workshop sessions.”
Hengrove School.
New! School Group Tours with Mr. Brunel
School group tours with one hour on board the ship with Mr Brunel.
Workshops for Key Stages 1 and 2
Fun, fascinating, active workshops suit learners at all levels, including those with special needs. The Education Team is happy to discuss your learning objectives to help you get the most from your visit.
All primary workshops support the National Curriculum and QCA schemes of work. They also promote a wide range of skills across the National Curriculum. These include Key skills: communication, application of number, working with others, problem solving.
We also plan opportunities for children to practice, combine, develop and refine their thinking skills: information processing, reasoning, enquiry and creative thinking.
1. Brunel our Engineering Hero KS1
2. Victorians at Sea KS1 and 2
3. NEW! Sketch and Sea! KS2
4. Passenger Investigation KS2
Free Audio Companions*
Audio companions for school groups are based on original diaries of passengers and crew and bring to life events that really happened on board.
You and your pupils can take the ‘Sinbad the ship’s cat’ audio tour following the adventures of Tom, the cook’s boy, and Florence, a girl travelling in first class. This tour is particularly suitable for KS2.
How do they work?
You can collect individual audio companions from the top deck where the crew member will explain and demonstrate how they work. Audio companions are hands-free, come with headphones and a cord to be worn around the neck.
The companion is automatically triggered by sensors around the ship – no need to press buttons (some children will need reminding not to press buttons). We recommend teachers take advantage of our free planning visit to try the guides. Please call the ship on 0117 926 0680.
Groups with Special Educational Needs
The ship and site are fully accessible for children and adults with special educational needs. The Education Team are trained in supporting groups of children with special educational needs.
We are happy to adapt workshops in advance to meet the specific needs of your group members. The Medlock Education Centre is accessible by wheelchair and there is an accessible toilet nearby. Please click here for more information about access for all.
Workshops for Primary School children
1. Brunel our Engineering Hero Key Stage 1
- History
- English
- Geography
Using props and costumes we ‘transport’ you back in time to the launch of the ss Great Britain to explore Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s character. Find out how his designs affected life then and now.
New artefacts arriving September!
2. Victorians at Sea KS1 and 2
- History
- English
- DT
- Geography
- Art and Design
Experience life on board Brunel’s Victorian steamship. Enjoy dressing up in Victorian costume and playing with traditional toys and games. Teams work together to examine artefacts and decide what to take on their 60 day voyage to Australia.
3. Sketch and Sea! KS2
- English
- History
- Art and Design
Dress up as a Victorian passenger and join us for a workshop on board the ship. Explore the fascinating experiences of passengers on board Brunel’s ss Great Britain. Draw from life to capture passenger’s relationships on paper.
4. Passenger Investigation KS2 (as shown on teachers TV!)
- History
- English
- Geography
- Citizenship
Get a fascinating insight into the life of real passengers and crew on board the ss Great Britain. Explore artefacts, examine diary extracts and work in groups to share observations and ideas through role play in costume.
* Subject to availability.
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