School Visits
What to expect on the day….
Times:
Visits usually take place from 10am until 12pm, however if you need to arrive later you can arrange this with the education officer.
The programme lasts approximately 2 hours.
School groups are welcome to stay longer to use our Education room on the 2nd floor as a lunch room before leaving. Please arrange this with the education officer.
Class sizes:
We can facilitate a group of up to 30 children in a two hour session. Large year groups must be split, and should visit on separate days. Please ensure you have enough adults to supervise the class.
Travel:
There is a travel grant of up to £100 available per school. If you would like to apply for the travel grant, please bring the completed travel grant application (the final page of this document) with you on the day of your visit. Alternatively post the form to us after your visit.
Finding us:
The War Memorial is situated at 21 Talbot Street, Belfast, BT1 2LD.
Talbot Street is one way. Turning down from Donegall Street, the War Memorial is on the right. There is a big red poppy outside, you can’t miss us!
Most buses tend to stop outside the War Memorial building and then return later to pick up.
On arrival there is a buzzer for access to the War Memorial, however a member of staff will be at the entrance to meet your class.
What happens on the day?
The class will congregate in the hallway for a quick introduction after which they will make their way up the stairs to the education room on the second floor. A lift is available.
- We start with an audio visual presentation (30 – 40minutes) about World War Two with a particular focus on the Home Front in Northern Ireland. Your class will be asked questions and will be invited to investigate objects from our handling collection.
- The presentation is broken up by a 10-15 minute break when the children can eat their snacks and use the toilet facilities.
- After the presentation the class goes downstairs to the museum on the ground floor.
- Each pupil is given a quiz sheet,clipboard and pencil. The children become History Detectives as they search for the answers to the quiz.
- We also offer a creative drawing activity linked to clothing rationing as an alternative to the gallery quiz. This activity is sometimes preferable for groups with reading difficulties.
- After the quiz/creative activity the class will split into groups to try on World War Two civilian and military uniforms.
- The children can pose to have their photograph taken in the uniforms. (Bring a camera!)
- The class will then have a chance to visit our Home Front Kitchen where they will see and discuss a selection of weekly rationed foodstuffs and items of clothing.
- The class departs or returns to the education room to eat packed lunches, play wartime games and listen to music from the 1940s.
Final notes
Please remind children to bring a small snack for break. Some school children come dressed as evacuees, with name tags, gas mask boxes and their lunches in brown paper, but it’s completely up to you how you arrive! If you’d like some pre or post visit activity ideas, please get in touch.
Staff
Jenny or Alan will take the workshop and our Museum Attendant Bill will lend a hand when we visit the museum.
Special Needs
If you have any pupils with special needs or requirements, please let us know in advance so we can accommodate them as best as possible.
Special Interests
If your class has any specific areas of interests relating to the World War Two topic, please let us know as workshops can be tailored to your interests.
Cancellations
If for any reason you need to cancel or rearrange your visit please let us know as soon as possible.
Jenny Haslett
Museum Manager
Phone 028 9032 0392 Option 3Email