On the 17 November over 50 young people from The Woodroffe School and St Michael’s Primary School ‘took over’ Lyme Regis Museum for the day. The students participated in a range of activities inspired by the museum’s collections, as part of the Kids in Museums national Takeover Day event.
Takeover Day is a celebration of children and young people’s contributions to museums, galleries, arts organisations, archives and heritage sites. It’s a day on which they are given meaningful roles, working alongside staff and volunteers to participate in the life of the museum.
As part of working towards their Arts Award, year 8 students from The Woodroffe School spent time with museum staff and volunteers to learn about the collections in depth before taking charge of the day by planning and delivering a range of creative learning activities ranging from art to drama to year 6 pupils from St Michael’s Primary School, who they invited to take part.
Mr Rich, representing St Michael’s Primary School added “This was such a fun-filled learning experience where the older children led the younger children. The museum is a fantastic resource to have on our doorstep. If only more school days could be like this!”
Miss Wood, from Woodroffe School said “It’s very pleasing to see the range of activities that the students have produced, and I’m so delighted to see how well the St Michael’s Year 6 have responded to their young teachers!”
David Tucker, Director of Lyme Regis Museum said of the Takeover Day: “Engaging local young people with their museum and the amazing history of Lyme Regis is a top priority for us and we are always seeking meaningful ways to do this. Takeover Day is a great opportunity for them to understand the value of their museum, take ownership and share it with others. It was fantastic to have the museum full of young people inspired by all it has to offer.”
The Woodroffe students also documented the day through photographs, interviews and a takeover of the museum’s social media throughout the day, as well as creating an exhibition of their own work inspired by the museum’s collections. The exhibition, ‘Fragments’, will be on display in the museum until 26 November 2017.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About Lyme Regis Museum Trust
The promotion of object-centred learning in its widest sense is the foundation on which the Trust is anchored. The Trust’s mission is to educate, inspire and entertain its visitors and users, encouraging aspiration in current and future audiences. Our Trust recognizes that our museum has the potential to change lives through its activities, and this will be the guiding principle shaping our actions.
Lyme Regis Museum, a charity, is open all year and its small professional staff is supported by a talented team of trustees and volunteers who provide governance, expert advice on business and academic matters and research into Lyme’s history. Volunteers also actively fundraise on behalf of the museum, and operate the museum’s admission point and shop. Its auspicious patrons include author Tracy Chevalier, Professor Richard Lane, Professor Sir Ghillean Prance, Sir Crispin Tickell, Sir David Attenborough and previous Honorary Curator Max Hebditch. It is the most used museum by schools in Dorset.
About Kids in Museums & Takeover Day
Kids in Museums is an independent charity dedicated to making museums open and welcoming to all families, in particular those who haven’t visited before. Working with museums to help them welcome and include families, teenagers and children. www.kidsinmuseums.org.uk