LEARNING BOX A TEACHER’S RESOURCE LEARNING AT THE WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE AND BLAENAVON

Blaenavon’s Industrial landscape became a World Heritage Site in December 2000. It is a landscape shaped by human hand, dating from the early days of the Industrial Revolution - a significant stage in human evolution, when the iron and coal industries of South were of global importance. The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape is an important place of study of the Industrial Revolution and is an ideal venue for schools studying changes in people’s daily lives in the 19th century and changes that happened in Wales, Britain and the wider world between 1760 and 1914. The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape is also an excellent case-study for students of urban decline and economic regeneration. The Blaenavon World Heritage Site now boasts three visitor attractions which offer full time, dedicated educational services to schools, colleges and adult learners – Blaenavon World Heritage Centre, Blaenavon Ironworks and Big Pit: National Coal Museum. The Blaenavon World Heritage Centre was established to provide a focal reference point to the area’s rich industrial legacy, telling the story of the people who have shaped this landscape from the earliest days of the Industrial Revolution to the present day using a range of media including film, audio, graphics and interactive displays.

2 LEARNING BOX A TEACHER’S RESOURCE THE LEARNING BOX

The Learning Box has been devised by County Borough Council in collaboration with who are responsible for Blaenavon Ironworks. It consists of a range of educational resources suitable for all key stages covering the curriculum subjects of history, geography and design & technology that will provide structure for visits to key sites and support for preparatory and follow-up classroom studies. This resource is also available to download on the Blaenavon World Heritage Site website (www.visitblaenavon.co.uk) and the National Grid for Learning Cymru (www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk). The learning box has been designed so that it can be revised and updated to keep pace with curriculum developments and new educational resources for the area. Self-led visits to explore the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and Blaenavon Ironworks are free of charge. However in order to get the most out of your visit, we would strongly recommend that you take advantage of a range of complementary services which we offer. These include: • 19th century discovery day: Cadw and Blaenavon World Heritage Centre offer a facilitated whole day of activities based on a two-centre visit to the Ironworks and Heritage Centre. (Suitable for Key Stage 2) Please see pages 6 and 10. • Hands-on, object study workshops based at the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre using historic artefacts and replica items. Periods include Tudor, 18th and 19th centuries, World War II, 1950s, 60s and 70s. Themes include toys and games, school, coal mining, domestic and household. These activities are suitable for Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2. Please see page 7. • Storytelling sessions can also be provided by costumed interpreters based on a choice of 12 historic characters who have worked and lived in Blaenavon. (Suitable for Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2) Please see page 8. • Guided, investigative walks around the historic town of Blaenavon and Industrial Landscape using buildings, historic photographs and maps to discuss changes in the 19th century. (Suitable for Key Stage 2 & Key Stage 3) Please see page 7. A fee may be payable for these additional services. Please refer to enclosed price list or refer to www.visitblaenavon.co.uk for current charges.

LEARNING BOX A TEACHER’S RESOURCE 3 BLAENAVON WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE

The Blaenavon World Heritage Centre is Touch-screen Interactives situated within the former St. Peter’s Church School which was founded in 1816 by Sarah The centre piece of the centre’s exhibition Hopkins to provide free education for children space consists of eight touch-screen stations, whose parents worked for the Blaenavon each providing opportunities for students to Ironworks. explore six topics including living and working conditions during the 19th century, transport, Following a period of disuse, the building the making of iron, geology and World was extensively renovated by Torfaen County Heritage. Borough Council to create the UK’s first interpretation centre devoted to a World Heritage Site. The quality of the refurbishment has been recognised by a Royal Institute of British Architects’ Award. Like its historic predecessor, learning lies at the very heart of the World Heritage Centre - its interpretative content was designed to meet the needs of the National Curriculum. The centre’s interpretative layout was overseen by leaders in exhibition design and its content was developed over a two year period as a product of painstaking research and consultation with teachers. Narratives are delivered through the words of historical characters so that students can gain an insight into the daily lives of ordinary people and understand the changes that they experienced during the 19th century.

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For the topic of living conditions, students and railroads through to the 19th century with can investigate a week in the life of a child in reference to the routes used to move iron and the 19th century recounted as a first-person coal from Blaenavon to Newport. narrative and, compare the contents of an ironworker’s cottage with an ironmaster’s For the topic of iron making, students can mansion. There is also a ‘living wage’ learn about the raw materials that were game where students can try to manage a needed to make iron and discover how a blast household budget on an ironworker’s wage. furnace worked. They can also investigate how pig iron was refined and watch an On 19th century working conditions, students animation of the entire iron-making process at can investigate different jobs carried out Blaenavon. by ordinary people during the Industrial Revolution and explore the role of an air-door On the topic of geology, students can find out boy (trapper), a drammer and a young collier about how coal and ironstone were formed. in the 19th century. There is also a game By exploring the theme of World Heritage, where students can spot the dangers in the students can find out how World Heritage 19th century workplace. Sites are selected. A game – ‘Where in the On the theme of transport, students can World?’ – gives students an opportunity to compare the changing forms of transport explore different World Heritage Sites around from the days before the building of canals the globe.

LEARNING BOX A TEACHER’S RESOURCE 5 BLAENAVON WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE

Graphic Panels Heritage Sites. Both films contribute to the Curriculum Cymreig and PSE by helping Displayed around the walls of the exhibition students to understand the factors that have space are a series of graphic panels set out shaped Wales as well as exploring the theme along a timeline which illustrate the changes of global citizenship. There are simplified that Blaenavon underwent during the 18th, versions of these two films that are more 19th and 20th centuries. Exploration of the suitable for a KS2 audience available to screen wall-mounted displays will help students to by request. develop their chronological awareness and historical knowledge and understanding of The Blaenavon film is an excellent introduction this area from the Industrial Revolution up to to the history and changes that Blaenavon the present day. Text is written in such a way underwent during the Industrial Revolution, as to be accessible to a KS2 audience. transforming South Wales from a rural A dedicated set of topic based pupil backwater to one of the leading industrial worksheets is available to support an centres in the World. exploration of this resource as well as the The World Heritage film explores the range touch-screen software in order to focus and diversity of World Heritage sites and students’ attention. explains why sites are selected. It outlines the responsibilities of looking after a World Audio Stations Heritage Site as well as the challenges that Featured within the exhibition space are such sites face in a changing World. two audio-stations which provide students with an opportunity to listen to first-hand Discovery Days testimonies by older residents of Blaenavon The World Heritage Centre in partnership on various topics. These include: growing up with Cadw is pleased to offer a facilitated 19th and children’s games in the 1920s and 30s, century discovery day consisting of a whole Sunday schools, St. Peter’s school, housing and day of activities based on a two-centre visit to living conditions, the 1926 miners’ strike and the Blaenavon Ironworks and Heritage Centre. the town of Blaenavon. The Heritage Centre is a two-minute walk from the Ironworks car park; alternatively there Audio-visual Theatres is a coach parking area next to the Heritage The main exhibition area is complemented Centre. by two small theatres that feature films Students spend half the day at the Ironworks of 5 minutes’ duration; one examines the exploring the site with costumed interpreters development of Blaenavon’s Industrial and undertaking practical activities designed Heritage whilst the other, focuses on World to enhance pupils’ understanding of 19th

6 LEARNING BOX A TEACHER’S RESOURCE BLAENAVON WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE century life, including bed making and Victorian era), through to the 20th century comparisons of 19th century grocery items with a focus on World War II (home front) and in the company shop with their modern 1950s, 60s and 70s. Themes include toys and equivalents. games, school, coal mining, domestic and household. The other half of the day is spent at the Heritage Centre, where pupils can investigate Hands-on workshops will be facilitated by how ordinary people’s lives have changed centre staff. Flexibility is our aim and we are through the 19th century by exploring happy to tailor workshops to fit the desired touch-screen displays, films and graphic topic and available time. These activities are panels arranged as a timeline. Subject to suitable for Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2. available time, themed object handling workshops using replica artefacts can also Guided Walks be arranged which would complement these investigations. We offer guided, investigative walks around the historic town of Blaenavon and 19th century discovery days must be booked Industrial Landscape using buildings, historic with the World Heritage Centre. Please note photographs and maps to discuss changes that a fee will be payable for these additional during the 19th century. (Suitable for Key services which will be confirmed at the time Stage 2 & Key Stage 3) of booking. Accompanying adults are free of charge with a maximum group size of 30 pupils. The 19th century discovery day is suitable for Key Stage 2.

Object Study Workshops We are pleased to offer hands-on, object study workshops based at the gallery space in the World Heritage Centre. We have a large collection of historic artefacts and replica items available to schools by prior arrangement as a stand-alone study or used to complement an exploration of the centre’s information resources. We can cater for historic periods ranging from the Tudor period, 18th and 19th centuries (covering the Industrial Revolution and

LEARNING BOX A TEACHER’S RESOURCE 7 BLAENAVON WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE

Storytelling We offer storytelling sessions provided by costumed interpreters of a wide selection of historic characters who have worked and lived in Blaenavon. These sessions would be suitable for Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2. Please note that a fee will be payable which will be confirmed at the time of booking. The 12 characters available include: Abraham Harry (18th century William Boswell (from Staffordshire; collier and small-holder before the worked and lived at Garnddyrys establishment of the Blaenavon Forge for a period of some 40 years Ironworks) and was still employed as a puddler in 1861 aged 70)

Thomas Deakin (from Shropshire, Sidney Gilchrist Thomas (self- worked underground as a boy taught chemist who carried out before arriving at Blaenavon. experiments at Blaenavon which He became manager of the would eventually revolutionise company’s iron-ore mines.) steelmaking and had worldwide implications) ‘Commander’ John Evans (a Mary Ann Caddick (accompanied shadowy figure and leader of the her father, Charles Taylor to Russia as ‘scotch-cattle’ / illegal worker’s union an emigrant worker at Hughesovka at Blaenavon; actively hostile to the but eventually returned to Blaenavon company’s use of blackleg labour) following her parents’ death)

Margaret Thomas (interviewed Lewis Browning (a collier and lay- in 1842 by Children’s employment preacher born 1828. He attended commissioner whilst at work as a St. Peter’s school and wrote the first child. She had previously worked as history of Blaenavon) a drammer underground)

Timothy McCarthy (from Ireland, Elizabeth Jones (a brick-maker interviewed in 1842 by Children’s in1863 at Blaenavon – underground employment commissioner whilst at work had by this time been denied to work filling the iron furnaces with his women, so many found employment two sons – all lied about their ages in at the local brickworks) order to conceal the children’s ages) Ann Carpenter (originally from West Sarah Hopkins (from Staffordshire country but in 1863 worked on the and sister to the ironmaster Samuel iron-ore patches on the mountain Hopkins. Sarah had St. Peter’s school above Blaenavon) built and endowed as a free-school for the workers’ children following her brother’s death)

8 LEARNING BOX A TEACHER’S RESOURCE BLAENAVON WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE

Other Facilities & Contact Information The upper building within the Heritage Centre is a multi-functional space which features a gallery and large teaching room. The gallery is used as a temporary exhibition area and flexible study/ teaching area for object handling workshops and creative activities. The gallery is also available as a packed lunch eating area. The teaching room features a digital projector and can be used to view film media which is not available within the main exhibition.

Heritage Centre The Heritage Centre features its own on-site café which can cater for groups and offers a wide range of refreshments, snacks and light meals. There are toilets on site. Within the reception space, there is a tourist information office and a gift shop selling a range of pocket-money priced souvenirs. Dedicated coach drop-off and parking is available opposite the World Heritage Centre which is accessed by means of a pelican crossing. The Heritage Centre is fully-accessible to visitors with limited physical mobility. Audio-visual media is accompanied by hearing loops and subtitles. All information is available in English and Welsh; French is also available as an option for all audio-visual media and touch-screen interactives. For educational bookings and enquiries, please contact: Emyr Morgan on 01495 742336 or [email protected] Blaenavon World Heritage Centre, Church Road, Blaenavon, Torfaen, NP4 9AS www.visitblaenavon.co.uk Opening times: 1 April to 30 September: 09.00 - 17.00 Tuesday - Sunday 1 October to 31 March: 09.00 - 16.00 Tuesday - Sunday

LEARNING BOX A TEACHER’S RESOURCE 9 Blaenavon Ironworks

Facilities: • Designated coach and car parking opposite site entrance. • Toilets with hand washing facilities on site • Visitor centre with gift shop • Free site map & guide to the cottages & company shop • Free teacher guide • Education Discovery Room with 30 large ‘puzzle cubes’ and five ‘discovery stations’ • Site interpretation which includes: - five audio posts (information in Welsh and English) - ten information panels - exhibition with interactive models and information displays - fully fitted 1840s ‘truck’ or company shop The five discovery station activities and themes are: - furnished cottages dressed in four periods – the 1790s, 1840s, 1920s and 1940s. 1. Delving Box - materials (coal, coke, iron ore, limestone, slag, cast iron, wrought iron) The Education Discovery Room is suitable for groups with up to 30 pupils – five adults 2. What’s in the cupboard? - 1840s food for are required to supervise activities and to the rich and poor ensure that the interactive stations are used 3. What’s in my pocket? - 1840s playthings appropriately. It is suggested that small pupil for poor children groups move around each station at ten minute intervals. Information and suggestions 4. Who am I? - 1840s hats for rich and poor for ways of using each station are provided to men, women & children teachers. Please allow one hour for discovery 5. How do we know about history? – lift the station activities. floorboards to find out about aspects of the 1840s

10 LEARNING BOX A TEACHER’S RESOURCE Blaenavon Ironworks

The puzzle cubes can be used as seating for Blaenavon Ironworks is a sloping site with pupils to eat lunch or can be assembled into a variety of surfaces and visitors should two large images as a short self-led activity or wear sensible footwear. Much of the site is as a ‘compare and contrast’ teaching resource. outdoors and visitors should wear warm, There are 12 images in total, two of which can waterproof clothing. The cottages are small; be seen together at any time. Please allow pupils should visit them in groups of no up to 30 minutes for use as a self-led activity more than six or seven pupils. Detailed site and up to 90 minutes as a teaching resource. guidebooks are available either on site or Teaching ideas are supplied. from Cadw Sales: 01443 336092 at a 25% teacher discount only. To fully understand the importance of Blaenavon Ironworks and to gain an insight For bookings and information on opening into the lives of the people who worked there, times, please contact: we recommend visiting the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre on the same day. The World Blaenavon Ironworks on 01495 792615 Heritage Centre is located about two minutes Blaenavon Ironworks, walk from the Blaenavon Ironworks. North Street, Blaenavon, Visiting Arrangements: Torfaen, NP4 9RQ For educational enquiries, please contact: Self-led school visits to the Blaenavon Ironworks are free of charge but it is essential Adrienne Goodenough on 01443 336142 or that booking is made in advance as the site [email protected] has a limited visitor capacity. We regret www.cadw.wales.gov.uk that groups arriving without booking may be refused entry. Visits can be self-led by teaching staff or facilitated by professional guides who can be booked and paid for by the school. If you wish to make use of the education discovery room, it is essential that you indicate this when booking your visit. Please visit the learning and discovery pages of the Cadw website for further information and downloadable booking form (www.cadw. wales.gov.uk).

LEARNING BOX A TEACHER’S RESOURCE 11 BLAENAVON WORLD HERITAGE SITE SAFLE TREFTADAETH BYD

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