Comments from pupils
Dear Staff at the Herriot Centre,
We are a Year 2 Class at Thirsk Community Primary School and have been busy making a collage. We chose to make our collage of different places in Thirsk. When we were deciding which places we wanted on our collage, the Herriot Centre was one of our first suggestions. We recently visited the Centre on a school trip and really enjoyed ourselves. We would like to give the collage to you to display in your museum somewhere. If you are interested in this, please write back to us and we would be happy to share our work with you.
Yours sincerely, Class 2M
(The collage was, of course, gratefully accepted and has duly taken pride of place in our Education Room!)
Thirsk Community Primary School - North Yorkshire
----------------------------
Thank you for providing a lovely day for us at The World of James Herriot. We really enjoyed the workshop with Rosie Page and think that she was quite surprised by all the questions we asked her!
We all enjoyed looking round Alf Wight's house and his surgery was particularly interesting.
Some of us enjoyed our visit so much that we want to come back with our families in the school holidays!
Thank you again. Best wishes from Years 3 and 4
The Froebelian School - Leeds
School Visits General Information
The Education Program at The World of James Herriot offers children the opportunity to learn in a fun and interesting way outside the classroom. Our interactive and hands-on workshops can be combined with a tour of the museum. These workshops last for a minimum of one hour, and are suitable for Primary and Secondary Students. They are designed to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum and cover the subjects of History, Literacy, Science, Art, and Citizenship.
We are happy to tailor the workshops according to your needs and expectations to make your school trip extra special. Please discuss your requirements when booking.
Groups of approximately 25 pupils per workshop can be accommodated for the school visit. Parties of more than 25 pupils should be split into two groups for your school trip to The World of James Herriot. We kindly ask teachers to organise this before arriving at the Centre for your educational visit.
- How to Book
- On The Day
- Education Loan Boxes
- Schools Program
HOW TO BOOK
In order to help us provide the best experience for the children, we ask all groups to book their visit in advance.
Michael Fram, our Education Officer, will be happy to take your booking, answer queries or discuss any specific requirements. When he is not at the Centre he can be contacted via...
Home Telephone: (01439) 788985
Email: education@worldofjamesherriot.com
You can also use the booking form by clicking here and emailing it to the above address.
After booking your visit you will receive a confirmation letter and supporting information in order to plan your day. Free familiarisation visits for the undertaking of Risk Assessments and to experience what we have to offer are welcome and encouraged. Please contact Michael to arrange a suitable time.
COSTS
School visits are charged at £5 per pupil. Teachers and accompanying adults are free of charge. Please note that numbers of adults which are not necessary to conform to the government's supervision ratios may be charged at the group adult rate of £6. We request that payment is made in advance or upon arrival by cash, cheque or credit card.
ON THE DAY
The meeting point is the museum shop and you will be greeted by our Education Officer. Packed lunches can be eaten in the Skeldale Room. You are welcome to picnic in the garden if the weather is fine. During your trip there will also be an opportunity for children to purchase souvenirs from the shop as a reminder of their visit.
One of the best things about a Class Visit to the Museum is that all children who visit us with their school will receive a badge which will entitle them to free entry if they return with their families.
There is so much to see and do here, that another visit will always be on the cards!
EDUCATION LOAN BOXES
A perfect accompaniment to your history lessons and ideal to use before or after a visit to the museum, we have Education Loan Boxes available to hire.
They are packed with items connected to Wartime, The Home Front, Evacuation and 1940s Britain.
Click here for more details!
SCHOOLS PROGRAM
Please keep in mind that any of the workshops outlined on these pages can be adapted for different age levels, so teachers need not feel restricted to the suggested Key Stages for each workshop. If you have any other requirements or suggestions, please discuss them with our Education Officer who will be happy to accommodate your requests if possible.
EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE
Animal Antics
This interactive session, full of stories, craft and rhymes, explores different types of animals, how we care for our pets and what we need to do to keep them safe and healthy. Children will also learn about the role of the vet and the most famous vet of all, James Herriot!
KEY STAGE 1
Home Sweet Home
Visit our 1940s home, Skeldale House, and experience life as it was when it was the home and surgery of James Herriot. Pupils can handle toys and objects from the past and learn how children's home life has changed since the 1940s.
Animals and Us
Focusing on pets and their care, the children will explore the responsibility that we as humans have in ensuring the well-being of animals and the role that vets and animal welfare organisations play in their care. This is a hands-on workshop with the chance to explore items from our veterinary science collection.
KEY STAGE 2
Wartime Britain
Explore our air-raid shelter and experience what life was like for children growing up during World War II. Covering themes such as Evacuation and The Home Front, this interactive workshop allows children to handle and examine objects from this period of history and to take on the role of an Evacuee.
Being James Herriot
This creative writing workshop will reveal facts and information about James Herriot, the man and author. Children will read and examine extracts from his books (for younger and older readers), read and write play scripts and perform in front of the 'cameras' in our TV studio – costumes included!
SECONDARY SCHOOLS PROGRAM
Key Stages 3 and 4
Curators Wanted!
This object-based workshop introduces the students to Communication and Interpretation in the museum. They will receive an introduction to the work of curators. Afterwards, they will work in small groups to curate their own exhibition, using items from our collection. At the end of the session they will present their work to the class and compare ideas.