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Education session

Coal mining in the North East

This session introduces students to the dangers faced by people who worked in coal mines across the North East of England during the industrial revolution.

Age range
Key stage 3 (Ages 11–14)
Date
All year
Locations
Online, The Discovery Museum, At your school
About this image

Coal miners in 1894. Catalogue reference: COPY 1/417/234

About this session

Time period

  • Industrial revolution (1750–1901)

Themes

  • Economy, trade and industry
  • Local history

Subjects covered in this workshop

In this workshop students will explore a range of documents including official reports, newspaper articles and miners' testimonies. They will look at problems such a explosions, flooding and poor ventilation and measures taken by organisations such as the Society For the Prevention of Accidents in Coal Mines to try to improve mine safety.

What to expect in an online session

Interacting live with experienced educators from The National Archives, students will explore history using both national and local archive collections and will engage in historical enquiry from their classroom.

You only need a microphone, large screen and webcam to take part. Interactive activities encourage students to discuss their ideas and work in groups using high-quality materials provided in advance by The National Archives Education team.

What to expect in a workshop at The Discovery Museum

Our on-site session takes place in inspiring learning spaces at The Discovery Museum in Newcastle upon Tyne. Students will get to see and handle a range of original documents, to investigate the past in an active way.

What to expect in an in-school session

Our in-school sessions take place in your classroom. Students will get to see and handle a range of archival documents, to investigate the past in an active way.

Sessions are typically an hour in duration, but can be tweaked to fit in with lesson times. Sessions can be delivered anytime between 9:00 and 15:30 and we can deliver the same session for multiple classes over the course of the day.

Please note: schools must be located within a 40-mile radius of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Connections to the curriculum

  • Ideas, political power, industry and empire: Britain, 1745-1901

Key details

Locations
  • Online
  • The Discovery Museum
    Blandford Square
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE1 4JA
  • At your school
Date
All year
Price
Free
Duration
  • Online: 1 hour
  • The Discovery Museum: 2 hours
  • At your school: 1 hour
Age range
Key stage 3 (Ages 11–14)

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