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Education session

Suffragettes through government eyes in the North East

In this workshop students will explore documents relating to the women’s suffrage movement, with a particular focus on Newcastle upon Tyne and the surrounding areas.

Age ranges
Key stage 3 (Ages 11–14)
Key stage 5 (Ages 16–18)
Date
All year
Locations
Online, At your school, The Discovery Museum
About this image

Kenton station, near Newcastle, said to have been burnt down by suffragettes. Catalogue reference: ZPER 34/143

About this session

Time period

  • Early Twentieth Century (1901–1945)

Themes

  • Local history
  • Power, politics and reform
  • Women's history

Subjects covered in this workshop

Students will examine a range of documents, including Home Office Records relating to a suffragette protest in Newcastle upon Tyne in October 1909. Using court records, medical reports on hunger strikes, and other reports, along with press cuttings and letters to explore the methods used in the suffragette movement and the state’s response to it.

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.

Contact

If you need any support with your booking, please get in touch.

Email
educationbookingsne@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Connections to the curriculum

Key Stage 3

  • Challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day: Women’s Suffrage

Key Stage 5

  • AQA: GCE History, Unit 2M: Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906-1957
  • OCR: GCE History A, Unit Y111, British Period Study and enquiry: Liberals, Conservatives and the Rise of Labour, 1846-1918

Key details

Locations
  • Online
  • At your school
  • The Discovery Museum
    Blandford Square
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE1 4JA
Date
All year
Price
Free
Duration
  • Online: 1 hour
  • At your school: 1 hour
  • The Discovery Museum: 2 hours
Age ranges
Key stage 3 (Ages 11–14)
Key stage 5 (Ages 16–18)

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