Located in Bury, Greater Manchester, the East Lancashire Railway is a 12-mile heritage line that provides a number of educational workshops for Key Stages 1 to 4.
The education programme takes place at Bury Transport museum, located at Bury train station. An education room is available to book for school visits.
Pupils completing the workshops are expected to gain a first-hand outlook on the region’s history, plus learn a bit about the geography of the area.
Other subject links available include Design Technology, Maths, Science, and Art and Design.
Wonderful Wheels
Early Years and Key Stage 1 pupils can take a workshop titled Wonderful Wheels, the aim of which is to explore wheels and axles through a number of subjects.
Looking at vehicles in the museum, the children will discover the uses and properties of everyday materials used to create wheels. The class will then design, make and test a miniature moving vehicle, touching on the subjects of Design Technology, Art and Design, and Science.
Pupils will also get to examine vehicles in the museum and compare them to modern equivalents, looking at changes in transport in history.
And for Maths studies, the class will compare and describe lengths and heights of some of the museum vehicles, then measure and record their data. Children will look at the size of wheels, comparing them between vehicles and also to their own heights and the heights of others in their group.
Key Stages 2 to 4
Several workshops are available to Key Stage 2, 3 and 4 students. There are learning sessions on both the Victorians and Evacuees, as well as a Town Trail and a Rail Trail.
The Town Trail involves the class taking a guided walk round Bury town centre to see evidence of the Medieval period in the town and how it has changed and developed to the present century. Children can also learn about the local history of Bury by studying old maps and photographs.
The Rail Trail is for Key Stages 3 and 4 pupils and involves a class traveling by steam train to explore a two mile stretch of the River Irwell looking at the effects of erosion and deposition, and local settlement patterns.
Booking information
School travel organisers should call 0161-763 4457 or e-mail transport.museum@east-lancs-rly.co.uk to book a session.
For further information visit www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk.
