Little Ridge County Primary School

Introduction

Year 5 pupils at Little Ridge CP School used the project to enhance their Victorians topic, investigating what would have been in their local area in Victorian times.

HMAG was particularly keen to work with a new school, to demonstrate how relevant the archive material was even in modern estate areas.  The children worked with HMAG Archivist Alison Hawkins, using a range of maps and photos to establish how the local area has changed (using contemporary aerial photos, ordnance survey maps and Victorian maps and plans).

They devised a mile-long walk around the local area to see what would have been there in Victorian times and how the environment has changed.  A number of key houses were picked out as case studies.  Alison then took in object loan boxes of Victorian domestic items to help the children get a greater understanding of what everyday life would have been like.  Pupils created leaflets documenting how the area has changed, developing key ICT skills.  They also wrote poems about life in Victorian times in Little Ridge.