Key Stage 2

Come to Ripon Museums for high-quality learning experience which stimulates pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence and develop judgement. We are lucky to have three museums in our group, all important Victorian institutions: a Workhouse, a Prison and Police Station and a Courthouse, all in their original buildings. Our workshops make the most of this atmospheric environment with dramatic role-play and hands-on activities.

Our KS2 offer is laid out below. For a fuller explanation of what we do, please download our KS2 offer pdf.

For information on Ripon Museums' Disability Access, follow this link.

1. Crime & Punishment Day 

(Visit two museums: Courthouse and Prison & Police)

At the Courthouse Museum:

• Children take part in a trial at the Courthouse
• Lower KS2 trial is about a stolen loaf of bread
• Upper KS2 trial isabout a stolen horse and cart
• Lunch at the Workhouse

At the Prison & Police Museum:

• Sinkler Brothers role-play
• Early policing, poaching and transportation
• Doin’ Time tour of the cells.

2. Victorian Workhouse Day

Lower KS2 – Workhouse Child Day

• Stern introduction from Matron
• Boys - Schoolroom, followed by planting seeds and bird scaring in the Workhouse Garden
• Girls - rag-rugging followed by schoolroom
• Lunch, indoor space provided
• Work carousel: hands-on chores, laundry, baking

Upper Keystage 2 – Workhouse Experience

• Stern introduction from Matron
• Guardians’ role-play
• Victorian Laundry sessions
• Lunch, indoor space provided
• Boys - Schoolroom followed by planting seeds and bird scaring in the Workhouse Garden
• Girls - rag-rugging followed schoolroom

3. Rich & Poor Day

Children take part in a trial at the Courthouse

At the Prison & Police Museum:

• Sinkler Brothers role-play
• Doin’ Time Punishment Tour of the cells

Lunch at the Workhouse

• Stern introduction from Matron
• Guardians' role-play followed by Victorian Laundry