The Great Fire of Gateshead and Newcastle @ St Mary’s Heritage Centre

Perfect for Key Stage 1 and 2 groups learning about the Great Fire of Gateshead and Newcastle or local history. Please note this session is not available on Wednesdays due to St Mary’s being open to the public on that day.

This workshop takes place in the main space of St. Mary’s Heritage Centre and is provided in collaboration with Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust. This is an indoor space with underfloor heating and has two accessible entrances.  The building has male, female, and accessible toilets. The workshop lasts 90 minutes and includes a short tour of St Mary’s Heritage Centre. Combined with a 90 minute tour of Gateshead and Newcastle Quayside it will make a full day visit (10am - 2pm)

Cost: £250 per class (up to approx 30 children + attendant adults) for a full day.

Activities include:

• Learning about daily life and the risk of fire in Victorian times. Handling exercise where children can investigate real and replica Victorian artefacts.

• Online game led by the session facilitator where children can explore the stories of people caught up in the Great Fire of Gateshead and Newcastle

• Examining photos and images of Victorian and modern Gateshead and Newcastle to highlight the differences.

• Recreating the story of the fire by making a ‘living map’ (drama and roleplay exercise)

  Optional Extra Activities

• We can also look at differences and similarities between the Great Fire of London in 1666 as part of the session.

Learning Outcomes:

Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality; events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally; a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066; a local history study, KS1 vocabulary, reflective learning, team working, effective participation, independent enquiry, communication, fun and enjoyment with others, self-confidence, self-esteem