Key stage 1

KS1: Why do we remember Isambard Kingdom Brunel?

Focus: 

The lives and achievements of the inspirational engineers, George and Robert Stephenson and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, changes in transport and the coming of the railways.

Overview:

Pupils assume the roles of George Stephenson, Robert Stephenson and Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The class help tell the fascinating story of the invention of the railway and early locomotives (eg Locomotion and Rocket) using costume, role play, original objects and unique railway artefacts. They will face some of the challenges the navvies had as they built the railways and try their hand at building locomotives using our bespoke wooden replica models.

Curriculum Links:

• Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally

• The lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements

• Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality

Focus:

How were steam trains made and how do they work? Who worked in the GWR Factory and what did they do? What other jobs did people do on the railway?

Overview: 

Children are given the opportunity through role play to explore what it was like coming to Swindon to work in the GWR Factory in the mid 1800’s. They handle original tools that the apprentice train makers used to make the parts of the train, and sort them from Victorian objects that were used in the home. They learn how a steam engine works. Using costume, role play and original objects they assume the characters of other workers on the railway and go on to recreate some of the new jobs that the railways brought. These include Engine Driver, Guard and Ticket Collector.

This session can be booked on its own or with our popular Brunel and Stephenson Session, which explores the building of the railways.

Curriculum Links:

• Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally

• The lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements

• Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality

Focus:

How seaside holidays for GWR factory workers in the past were different to today.

Overview: 

This ‘seaside’ version of our ‘Train Makers’ Discovery Session explores how train travel enabled more people to visit the seaside on holiday. Using role-play, story telling and costume, pupils explore the life of people working at the GWR Works and the opportunity they had to go to the seaside during ‘Trip Week’.

Detective work handling original objects helps pupils to understand the similarities and differences between the past and the present. Pupils ask questions and develop their understanding of old and new, then and now and changes over time.

Curriculum Links:

• Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally

• The lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements

• Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality

Focus:

How toys used by the families of GWR factory workers in the past were different to today.

Overview: 

This ‘toys’ themed version of our ‘Train Makers’ Discovery Session explores the life of the GWR factory workers and their families. Using role-play, story telling and costume, pupils explore what life was like in the ‘Works’ and the ‘Railway Village’ focussing on the toys played with by the children of the factory workers.

Detective work handling original objects helps pupils to understand the similarities and differences between the past and the present. Pupils ask questions and develop their understanding of old and new, then and now and changes over time.

Curriculum Links:

• Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally

• The lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements

• Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality

STEAM features fantastic historic and interactive displays exploring the history of Swindon and the Great Western Railway. It is ideal for visits linked to the history of transport, the impact of the railways, industrialisation, local history, art, engineering and figures of historical significance, including Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

School bookings for self-guided visits are available for any Key Stage.