From becoming a ‘history detective’ to a ‘time-traveller’, there are so many ways pupils and adult learners can discover the tales of Black Country folk from the past. Black Country Living Museum is situated in Dudley in the West Midlands, ten miles outside Birmingham with close links to the M5.

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What We Offer Visiting Schools

Key Stage One pupils can become ‘time-travellers’ for the day, and step back into the past to uncover the histories of homes, transport or even toys! Through guided visits, pupils can explore a range of different houses and homes and discover the lifestyles of people who lived thee; investigate the toys belonging to children from the past alongside one of the Museum’s historic characters; or get a chance to see the Museum’s nationally recognised transport collection as they explore how transport has developed through the ages from horse-drawn vehicles to the motor car.

The role of a ‘history detective’ awaits Key Stage Two students, with the opportunity to follow historical inquiry investigations through real-life stories and cross-curricular opportunities. On self-led trails, students can engage with a range of topics from coal, iron and steam to canal mania. There’s even a chance to become an ‘accident investigator’, where students can reveal an insight into notorious living and working conditions in the 19th century, giving students a deeper level of understanding of the social conditions and values of the time by using real-life case studies.

Students at Key Stages Three and Four have the opportunity to delve deeper into the history and context of the Black Country. On guided visits, students can develop and extend their knowledge of key events in 19th-century Britain that helped shape the modern world, including exploring wider issues of social values and responsibility. Through the evidence of historic buildings, landscapes and objects, students can identify the main features of local industrial changes.

Not forgetting, there’s also plenty of fun to be had in exploring the Museum’s 26 acres! Step into different periods of history, from the Edwardian shops and school classroom right up to the record shops and hairdresser from the 1950s. The Museum’s famous fish and chip shop is awaiting for a delicious lunch, or for those with a sweet tooth pick up a traditional treat from T. Cook’s Sweet Shop or Burgin’s Newsagents. There’s plenty of fun and games at the vintage fairground, or have a go at old-fashioned street games down on the cobbles with a hoop and stick or hopscotch.

Why Choose Us for an Educational Visit

Students and pupils can uncover this rich history through the Museum’s designated collections, characters, buildings and transport. Highlights include exploring an underground mine, dropping into the Edwardian era for a school lesson you’ll never forget, discovering 1940s-60s trends, and watching sparks fly at the chain-making workshop.

Subjects and Topics Covered

The Black Country Living Museum offers an immersive educational experience, covering a wide range of subjects including History, English, Art, Geography, Maths, and Science & Environment. Students can explore the region’s rich industrial heritage through interactive exhibits, period-authentic buildings, and live demonstrations, bringing history to life in an engaging and memorable way. The museum provides opportunities for English studies through storytelling and first-hand accounts of working-class life, while its artistic elements showcase traditional crafts and design.

Geography and environmental science topics are explored through the impact of industry on the landscape, and maths concepts can be applied in measuring and understanding historical engineering techniques. Science is also brought to the forefront, with insights into the development of manufacturing, transportation, and technological advancements that shaped the Black Country.

Accreditation and Awards

The Museum holds a certification from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. In 2024 the museum was a finalist in the categories of “Best Museum Visit” and “Best Educational Workshops” in the School Travel Organiser awards.

Group Sizes Catered For

Our group rate starts from 10 pupils with capacity for multiple large groups visiting on a day allowing whole Key Stages from a school to visit together. At the time of booking, school groups are divided into manageable sizes to navigate around site following their itinerary.

Itineraries, Resources, and Workshops

EYFS

Discover ‘People Who Help Us’ around the site and take part in either the ‘Mini Coop’ or ‘Sorting Office’ role play sessions, exploring the roles of a shop keeper and postal worker.

KS1

Be a ‘Time Traveller’ while following your chosen themes of ‘Houses and Homes’, ‘Toys past and present’ or ‘Transport through the ages’ as you explore the site. Additional activities available include learning about wash day, toy handling or brick making.

KS1

Become a ‘Little Maker’ and use the site to inspire creativity using, Art, Music or Design and Technology skills.

KS2

Be a ‘History Detective’ and explore the theme of ‘Lives of Children’, ‘Coal, iron and steam’, ‘canal mania’ or ‘accident investigators’. Additional activities available include learning traditional crafts such as ‘rag rugging’, or ‘canal art.’

KS3

Be a ‘History Investigator’ and use enquiry-based learning to discover the themes of ‘Industrial revolution’ or accident investigators’. Additional activities available include ‘pewter casting’ or ‘metal forming’.

Full list of workshops:

• Mine tour
• 1912 School lesson
• Laundry
• Toy Handling
• Mining Madness show
• Three Little Pigs
• Brick making
• Canal art
• Primary Sources
• Rag rugging
• Enamelling
• Metal forming
• Pewter casting
• Bridge building
• Free wheeling toys

Some sessions are also available as outreach on a half or full day basis.

Risk Assessment

A School Visit risk assessment has been completed by the museum as a guide for schools to consider and is available upon request. Visiting teachers are invited to a pre-visit planning trip to aid their individual assessments and procedures. Any additional activities that form part of the visit, have specific risk assessments which are regularly reviewed.

BCLM have a Safeguarding Policy and Designated Safeguarding Leads onsite at all times. Visiting groups remain under the supervision of, and are the responsibility of their responsible adults.

Education Department Information

For inquiries please email learning@bclm.com and a member of the team will respond.

Pricing Information

Prices per pupil from September 2024 – August 2025:

– EYFS: £8 + VAT

– Primary students (KS1 & KS2) – £8 + VAT

– Secondary students (KS3 & KS4) – £8.50 + VAT

– FE/HE students (KS5+) – £12 + VAT

– Supervising adults (1 free per 10 students) – £14.50 + VAT

We recommend completing our expression of interest to find out more: https://bclm.com/learn/school-bookings/

Facilities

The 29 acre site hosts a range of facilities for schools. There is a dedicated learning centre at the museum entrance which includes two classrooms, lunch space and toilets. Coach parking is available adjacent to the learning centre. There are additional covered lunch spaces and toilets across the site.

Accessibility and Disabled Facilities

Detailed access information can be found on the museum website https://bclm.com/visit/access/

There are adapted accessible toilets in the following locations:

· Several accessible toilets located in the Visitor Centre.

· In the Workers’ Institute Café.

· Two in the Elephant & Castle Public House – one downstairs and one upstairs (accessible via a lift. Please speak to staff for lift access).

There is also a changing places facility located in Brook Entrance (opposite the Visitor Centre). This is accessed with a Radar key and includes a changing bench, accessible shower, height adjustable washbasin and a hoist.

The museum has 15 designated disabled parking bays in the main car park. Should the main car park be full, staff will be on hand to direct visitors to our secondary designated disabled parking bays in our overflow car park (16 bays available, equivalent distance from Visitor Centre).

Manual wheelchairs

The Museum has a small number of manual wheelchairs (rated 18 stone/115 kilos weight). Advanced booking is required and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please call 0121 557 9643 or email info@bclm.com. There is no charge for the use of these wheelchairs.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own wheelchair or motorised scooter in order to get around the Museum. These ideally should be used along pedestrian routes, taking care to avoid collision and blocking paths. Please follow route markings and remember

that BCLM is a 29-acre open air site so don’t forget to charge your scooter fully before arriving.

Accessibility vehicle

The Museum has a vintage style vehicle, ‘Doris’, named after the mother of one of the original donors of the vehicle. Doris is the Museum’s accessibility vehicle; she has a tail lift to enable visitors in wheelchairs and those with mobility issues easy access. Doris is able to carry manual wheelchairs and pushchairs, but not motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

You can request Doris at any time by calling our Duty Manager on 07788 666161 or emailing bookings@bclm.com

Opening Hours

Summer: daily 10am – 5pm;

Winter: wed-sun 10am – 4pm;

Winter shutdown in January – see website for details.