Winding House History Workshops South Wales
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Listed under: History | Day Trip Destinations | School Workshops | Arts & Galleries | Heritage Railways | Historical Heritage | Museums | Storytelling | Offsite | History
What are our school workshops like?
The Winding House's award-winning learning programme brings to life the rich heritage of the South Wales valleys.
Led by our Learning Officer (QTS), workshops will immerse your group in the history of South Wales. All of our workshops use hands on activities to take a deep dive into the real story of the valleys. This interactive approach offers a unique, visitor-centered perspective of Welsh history and heritage.
Areas Visited
For Outreach Workshops and Online Workshops Option 1, we can visit schools/learning centres in South and West Wales Monday-Friday. If you’re interested in an Online Workshop Option 1, we can reach you wherever you are!
Accreditation and Awards
The Winding House holds the LOtC Quality Badge and the Sandford Award.
Our Learning Officer also holds an up-to-date advanced DBS certificate.
What is typically included on our school trips?
With on-going COVID-19 restrictions, we’ve adapted our workshops to the following formats so you can choose the delivery that works for you:
- Outreach Workshops- two-hour sessions delivered in your school/learning centre. Includes access to our handling collections and plenty of hands-on activities.
- Online Workshops Option 1- 50-minute sessions delivered online. Includes downloadable resources for use during the session and visual access to handling collections.
- Online Workshops Option 2- 75-minute sessions delivered online. Includes access to handling collections, delivered to your school.
Workshops are suitable for Foundation Phase to Key Stage 2. Check out some of the workshops we offer below or contact us for details on bespoke sessions.
Roman Around
AD 78: The Romans (finally) conquer Wales and begin Romanising the defeated tribes. But as they were dealing with the fiercest and dirtiest fighters in Britain, this wasn't as easy as it sounds.
Our Roman Around workshop explores what life was really like for the invading Romans and the people they conquered: the bad, the cruel and the downright disgusting! Discover how the Romans changed Wales and what they left behind.
Victorian Valleys
The rapidly growing industries of coal, iron and steel exploded into the valleys of Victorian Wales and instantly, people's lives were transformed... although not in a good way!
Our Victorian Valleys workshop dives into the dark, dirty and dangerous stories of the South Wales valleys through the histories of ordinary people.
Spooky Stories
Immerse yourself in the Victorian obsession with the macabre with our Spooky Stories workshop. Trace the origins of the Victorian ghost story and discover the reasons behind its popularity by creating your own ghostly tale. This one's not for the faint hearted!
Life in Wartime
When war broke out in 1939, few realised the destruction the conflict would inflict on the people of Britain. They became caught up in their own warzone: The Home Front.
Our Life in Wartime workshop uncovers the unique experience of total war in Wales: from the devastating and disturbing to the hopeful and helpful.
Toys Through Time
What’s your favorite toy? Your LOL Doll? Your Scalextric track? Your PlayStation 4? Absolutely none of these feature in Toys Through Time, where we explore times when toys were simpler, didn’t make noise or light up and were often, let’s face it, creepier. But our collection of genuine and replica historical toys tells us a lot about the children who played with them and the families and communities they were part of.
*Suitable for Foundation Phase groups only. Not available online.
Group Sizes Catered For
Outreach Workshops - Groups of up to 90.
Online Workshops - Groups of up to 35.
Materials, Resources & Information Provided
Workshops include access to our museum handling collection of genuine and replica objects from Wales’ history (excluding Online Workshops Option 1). All objects and activities have been risk assessed, a copy of which is provided on booking. All resources are sanitized and quarantined, so groups can have fun while remaining safe.
Before the workshop, you’ll receive a briefing pack with details of what to expect from the session.
Follow-up activities and resources are provided after workshops, for you to download and enjoy!
Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions
Photography during workshops is welcomed for personal or educational purposes, which includes reproducing the image as a classroom teaching aid or part of a project.
Please let us know if you are happy for our Learning Officer to take photographs during workshops and if any participants must be excluded from pictures. Photographs may be reproduced for marketing purposes by the Winding House or used on Caerphilly County Borough Council social media.
Pricing Information
Outreach Workshops
2-hour sessions
£200 per session
Discounts available on multiple bookings. Get in touch for more information.
Online Workshops Option 1
50-minute sessions
£50 per session
Online Workshops Option 2
75-minute sessions
£75 per session
Testimonials
Visit out Twitter page for snapshots of fantastic previous learning experiences or check out the testimonials below…
We had a great day today with the Winding House on our online workshop. We learnt so much new information throughout the morning!
- Maesycwmmer Primary School (2020)
An informative and interesting workshop with the Winding House learning more about World War II and what life was like during the War.
- Idris Davies School 3-18 (2020)
We were lucky to have a fantastic insight into Victorian Christmas life thanks to the Winding House and their great workshop! We thoroughly enjoyed role playing a Mari Lwyd and creating our own cornucopia.
- Pengam Primary School (2020)
Class 11 thoroughly enjoyed their interactive workshop with the Winding House based on A Victorian Christmas. A fantastic virtual workshop and learning opportunity.
- Blackwood Primary School (2020)
Wow! What an interesting workshop learning all about crimes in the Victorian era! Diolch Winding House, we had such great fun!
- Pontllanfraith Primary School (2021)
