A group of Year 9 Citizenship students enjoyed a visit to Beamish open-air museum on Tuesday 10th June. The aim of the visit was to explore the concept of 'Northernness' by celebrating our industrial past.

A group of Year 9 Citizenship students enjoyed a visit to Beamish open-air museum on Tuesday 10th June.  The aim of the visit was to explore the concept of ‘Northernness’ by celebrating our industrial past.  The students were encouraged to use performance art - in the form of re-enacting a suffragette rally and debate.  They were given character roles prior to the visit and were provided with costumes to wear on arrival at Beamish.  Students entered into a lively and realistic debate about women’s rights based in the year 1913, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Students went on to experience rides on the trams and were able to do down a mine shaft, as well as exploring the street, farm, school and other features.  They recorded all their experiences at Beamish by sketching their surroundings and developing their drawing skills.

Mrs Charlton, the group leader, was delighted with the enthusiasm and excellent behaviour of the students involved and pleased that she was able to help Beamish in the development of a ‘drawing trail’ to encourage other schools to utilise their time at Beamish as effectively as possible.