Form 1 sample delights of Beamish Museum

(05 July 2010)

Form 1 visited Beamish as part of their history and science topics on forces and ‘Toys from the past’. They started with a visit to a traditional Victorian farmhouse to handle some Victorian toys and find out how they worked.

Then Katy, their Victorian school Ma’am, talked to the children about some toys that work by using force and optical illusion. They looked at flick books, a ‘zoetrope’ which created a cartoon sequence and then a ‘thaumatrope’ which the children designed and made themselves.

Lunch followed visiting the horses which star at the beginning of the ‘Victorian Farm’ television series! ‘Lion’ was a beautiful shire horse and the children tried to estimate how many hands high he stood.

A tram ride to the town was a real experience and gave the pupils an opportunity to explore the transport of old and see shops as they were in their grandparents' day. Finally, a short ride to the schoolhouse to see the hoop and stick toys children played with in the playground.

A fond farewell was said to the very helpful staff at Beamish and the children even made up their own verse to the song ‘Day Trip to Bangor’.

"Didn’t we have a wonderful time the day we went to Beamish!
We had lunch near the farm
Saw pigs in the barn
And all sat under a tree, how swish!"

next event

Staff meetings
Monday, 06 September 2010

Testimonials

"An excellent atmosphere between pupils and staff with a really good House system, great teaching and a fantastic pastoral side. I thoroughly enjoyed attending Durham School and am very sad to leave."
Graham Thorpe