Last Thursday all year 8 students visited the Black Country Living History Museum in Dudley, Birmingham. The trip was to compliment the students' learning; currently they are learning about the Industrial Revolution especially the living and working conditions of the time.
The students had a tour down a coal mine to view the working conditions of the time, with shafts and baulks. They also had a lesson in a 19th Century school room, where Mr Buckland was unfortunately badly behaved and got the cane to the hand - a typical punishment of the times. The students practised writing in a Victorian Style, using copper plate writing and hooks and hangers. They also wrote on slate.
Another section visited was the chain maker (a big industry at the time) along with an old fashioned chemist, sweet shop, bakery and hard wear store.
The houses of the time were also visited (along with outside privvys!), some houses were crooked due to the mining industry underground. These houses were reinforced using metal braces.
Students also got the chance to ride in a double decker bus through the museum, as well as experiencing a Victorian Fairground. Lunch was old fashioned fish and chips.
Throughout the day the guides were dressed in authentic costume from the time. The students finally got to see a replica of the Newcomen steam engine in working condition.
The students all thoroughly enjoyed themselves on the trip and learnt a lot about the living and working conditions during the industrial revolution which will help them with their studies!!