In 1892, a local woman from Batley named Amelia Oldroyd travelled to Egypt as part of her work with the Egypt Exploration Fund. She was a member of a Dewsbury mill owning family, as her uncle owned Oldroyd and Sons, and this gave her wealth and freedom to pursue her interest in Ancient Egypt. She was responsible for many Ancient Egyptian artefacts being brought to the Kirklees area and being put on display in local museums.

Follow in her footsteps as you explore our own Egyptian tomb, studying real artefacts to find out more about attitudes, beliefs and life of Ancient Egyptians.

What to expect on the day

• Enter the Kingdom of Osiris and explore our replica tomb
• Write and dress like an Ancient Egyptian in our activity room
• Handle real Egyptian artefacts and consider how objects can help us piece together stories of the past
• Work as an archaeologist and excavate objects in our sand trays, making inferences about ancient Egyptian life
• Step into the embalming workshop and take part in a mummification

Learning outcomes

This full day workshop will develop students' substantive knowledge of the period. Students will compare different roles and occupations in Ancient Egypt, understand more about Egyptian beliefs on life and death and consider the importance of mummification in Ancient Egyptian society.

This will be achieved through disciplinary skills, as students become archaeologists, formulating their own interpretations through the fragments of artefacts that remain.

Built during the reign of Elizabeth I, Oakwell Hall has had an interesting and turbulent history! Step back in time to find out more about the people who lived in the house during its early years. From its illustrious owner, John Batt, to the servants and staff who helped to keep the household running. This visit will allow students to compare the lives of the richest and poorest in Tudor England, reflecting on how their lives were different to ours today.

What to expect on the day

• Explore Oakwell Hall to compare life for Mr Batt, his family and his staff
• Handle real Tudor objects, studying their uses and condition to make inferences about their owners
• Take a journey around the world and learn about the importance of herbs and spices in the Tudor period.
• Write like a Tudor with some quill lessons
• Draw sketches inspired by our original architecture, furniture and embroidery
• Dress like a Tudor in our historically accurate costumes, exploring what material and design can tell us about social class in the period

Learning outcomes

This full day workshop will develop students' substantive knowledge of the period. Students will compare different roles and people in the Tudor period, using contemporary artefacts, furniture and architecture to describe Tudor society. They will be able to explain the significance of trade in the period, and how this became an important indicator of wealth. Students will understand how Oakwell Hall is situated within the wider Tudor and Stuart period, and how local people, such as the Batts, were representative of 'new wealth' in the Tudor period.

This will be achieved through disciplinary skills, as students are immersed in life in a Tudor household. They will use historical artefacts and sources to deepen their own interpretations of the Tudor period. They will analyse objects to make inferences about social class in the period, whilst comparing objects to develop a deeper chronological understanding.

Look closely at life in Oakwell Hall Country Park. Select from a menu of activities to create a bespoke visit to suit your students.

Choose two of the following half-day workshops

• Mini beast safari: Roam the woods to identify tiny critters, looking for evidence of their movement. Learn all about worms and then be inspired to create a creature of your own using natural materials.
• Plant detectives: Learn about trees and leaves by comparing different shapes, sizes, patterns and textures then try to find flowers of all colours of our rainbow. Find out more about their uses in cooking, medicine and dyes.
• Pond detectives: Go pond dipping to see what lurks beneath the surface in our waters. Learn all about the lifecycle of frogs and have an exciting time pretending to be a frog, and then making a frog of your own!
• Rocks and fossils: Learn about the main rock groups and use your knowledge to identify and categorise different rocks, considering their uses in the past and present. Find out more about our landscape thousands of years ago, handling real fossils.
• Soil scientists: Become scientists and undertake your own fieldwork study. Collect and test soil samples to learn about soil permeability. Learn about the features of different soils and uncover how to identify these yourself.
• Nature art: Create artworks inspired by the natural world.

Learning outcomes

Students will develop knowledge linked to the natural world, focusing on plant and animal life, and the environment. They will use fieldwork skills such as observation, recording, making predictions, testing hypothesis and presenting findings.

Built by Roman commander Agricola in AD 70 - 80, the Roman fort at Slack, near Outlane, is one of the major monuments to Roman rule in the area. This workshop will allow your students to uncover more about daily life in Roman Britain, embedding the local story into the national narrative, and reflecting on the long-term legacy of Roman rule.

What to expect on the day

• Develop a chronological understanding of the period through exploring pre-Roman life in Huddersfield and the Brigantes tribes
• Handle real Roman objects and make inferences about daily life in the period
• Consider the key features of the Roman fort at Slack to describe experiences for inhabitants and explain why it was built there
• Explore our Roman gallery in the museum, creating a timeline to understand the development and significance of Roman rule in the area
• Think like a Roman and try to crack our Roman Cipher
• Undress the Romans: see examples of the helmets and armour the Roman soldiers would have worn!
• Have fun like the Romans through making a mosaic or playing a game of Roman Tabula.

Learning outcomes

This full day workshop will develop students' substantive knowledge of the period. Students will understand more about daily life in Roman Britain, comparing this with life during the Iron Age to consider the significance of Roman occupation. They will be able to describe the key features of the Roman fort at Slack, embedding the local story into the national narrative. Through studying mosaics, gaming and uniforms, they will reflect on the legacy of Roman rule.

This will be achieved through disciplinary skills, as students take an enquiry-led approach to studying the Romans. Through handling and discussing real Roman objects, they will make inferences about daily life in the period, and contextual activities will provide them with a deeper chronological understanding. They will be encouraged to consider different historiographical interpretations of the period.

As Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, Britain was undergoing a radical transformation. The Industrial Revolution saw the country changing from an agricultural society into one dominated by industry and innovation. Huddersfield was at the centre of this revolution, as weaving cottages made way for mechanised machines in mills and factories. This workshop will allow students to understand how this impacted on society during the period, exploring the different experiences for the rich and poor, and considering how life was different through focusing on education and schooling.

What to expect on the day

• Experience a lesson as a Victorian pupil in our own 19th century classroom
• Handle real Victorian objects and make inferences about daily life in the past
• Explore Tolson Museum and uncover evidence about its history as a house for a wealthy textile business owner, when it was known as Ravensknowle Hall
• Dress like a Victorian and understand more about different roles and social groups in Industrial Britain
• Create like a Victorian with an opportunity to have a go at rug-ragging and dip-pen writing
• Play like a Victorian with games and toys from the period

Learning outcomes

This full day workshop will develop students' substantive knowledge of the period. Students will understand more about daily life in Industrial Britain, comparing this with life today. They will be able to describe the key features of Victorian society, considering the impact of the Industrial Revolution for people in Huddersfield. Through hands-on activities, students will be immersed in the experiences of Victorian children and will use evidence to compare the lives of the rich and poor.

This will be achieved through disciplinary skills, as students take an enquiry-led approach to studying the Victorians. Through handling and discussing real Victorian objects, they will make inferences about daily life in the period, and contextual activities will provide them with a deeper chronological understanding. They will be encouraged to consider different historiographical interpretations of the period.

Develop Geographical fieldwork skills to support classroom learning, allowing students to collect their own primary data and compare the interaction of physical and human geography.

Create a bespoke visit

Options include:

• Oakwell beck detectives: Activities include mapping, sketching, measuring, water speed, water quality and species indicators
• Rocks and soils: Activities including studying local geology, stratigraphy, testing soil and rock samples, identification and categorising.
• Orienteering: Activities include map reading, topography and compass understanding
• Human geography: Observe the visitor demographic of Oakwell Hall and Country Park and investigate the evidence and impact of tourism within the area
• Living things: Pond dipping, habitats, tree study and mini-beasts

Learning outcomes

This workshop will allow students to bring together knowledge, understanding and skills from their classroom learning, applying it in a real-life context to understand the physical environment. It is an opportunity for students to demonstrate skills in identification, observation, map reading, data recording and analysis and reaching conclusions.

Dive into one of your favourite stories and be immersed in the world of wonderful characters.

To discuss using other books please contact us.

Create a bespoke visit

Options include:

• Superworm by Julia Donaldson: Activities include reading the story together, a mini-beast safari, games, a worn investigation, make a superhero crown and create your own story.
• We're Going On a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen: Activities include reading the story together, a habitat walk, sound investigations, make a bear hat and create your 'Oakwell Hunt' story.
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle: Activities include reading the book together, mini beasts activity, plants activity, texture hunt, inspired art and make your own caterpillar cocoon.
• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson: Activities include reading the book together, a nature walk, habitat hunt and make the Gruffalo using twigs/branches.
• The Bog Baby by Jeanne Willis: Activities include reading the book, pond dipping, plant hunters and make your own bog baby.

Learning outcomes

This workshop will encourage students to be confident in the outdoors, improving their literacy through reading and linking their learning to the environment and wider world.