Victorian Miner (SEND)

A morning of activities including museum led activities and self-led exploration on a Victorian history theme. Your class will meet a Victorian miner and find out about the working conditions and job roles of adults and children working underground. They will also create a soundscape using the tools of yesteryear.

This would be especially suitable for students age 8-15 years.

Day would be 1 x 30 minute meet & greet that will go over visual itinerary for the day. Following this, there will be the 1 hour sensory workshop.

Basic Information

This immersive experience will provide students with a vivid understanding of the hardships and lifestyle of Victorian miners, making history come alive through interactive learning. 

Breakdown of session

In this sensory, hands-on workshop, students will discover what it was like to be a Victorian miner. Join Sally Fletcher as we: 

Sing Songs: Participate in singing a special song about Sally Fletcher’s family and their lives as miners. Students will do actions and play instruments, helping them to connect with the personal stories and experiences of mining families.

Reenact Jobs: Experience the daily tasks of a Victorian miner by participating in role-playing activities that illustrate the various jobs within a mine.

Explore the Darkness: Step into our blackout tent to understand the oppressive darkness miners worked in, gaining an appreciation for their challenging working conditions.

Craft a Clay Motty: Create your own clay motty, a token used by miners’ families to get paid, and learn about its significance in the Victorian mining economy. 

By the end of this workshop, the students should know:  

• Use music to explore different Victorian Miners job roles 
• Explore the different job roles of children and their families and understand how important it was to work together.
• Identify different tools and equipment used underground
• Understand the working conditions children had to endure underground in the early 1800’s
• Empathise with the children who worked underground and make comparisons between life then and now 

Useful information:

• We are only open Wednesday – Friday for on site bookings (Virtual Workshops are available on Mondays & Tuesdays)
• We have capacity for a maximum of 2 classes per group, per day.
• You will need to request an enquiry form using the ‘Enquire’ button to the left, submitting details of your visit and 3 preferred dates in order to book. We will then contact you as soon as possible to confirm.
• Lunch space is included and will be exclusive to your group.

Did you know that we also offer Virtual Workshops in a variety of topics that can be accessed from your classroom? Topics include Meet a Miner, the Victorians and Rocks and Fossils.

You can also use our downloadable resources to aid your pupils learning before and after your visit.

Email our Bookings Assistant, Sharon, on bookings@ncm.org.uk to enquire.