Museum of Oxford inviting local schools to join new programme of interactive workshops about Oxford’s history

The programme, which includes the handling of original objects, has been developed in conjunction with local teachers to match the school curriculum.

The aim is to help schoolchildren in Oxford learn more about the city’s history in a fun and interactive way.

The museum offers workshops as follows:

• Moving Oxford: explore the history of Oxford’s transport by handling objects, and using maps and the museum’s galleries
• Made in Oxford: delve into the story of 10 local people that have influenced the world around us, including Alice Liddell, Olive Gibbs and William Morris
• Dark Side of the Victorians: uses Oxford Town Hall’s original Victorian courtroom to recreate a real-life trial involving four local children. The whole class is able to take on different role, from lawyers to witnesses – and the teacher can play the judge
• Unearthed: a new workshop where the museum staff brings the museum to your school. This unique interactive workshop allows pupils to work in small groups handling their chosen historical objects. The collection includes over 90 objects from Roman Britain, Saxons, Medieval, Tudors, Civil War, Victorians and much more.

For more details and how to book a workshop visit the Museum of Oxford website or email museum@oxford.gov.uk.

All museum-based workshops take place in the Oxford Town Hall. There is easy access into the city centre by bus or a coach drop-off point available nearby. The Museum is fully accessible and offers space for lunchtime if needed.

If your school is interested in working with the museum to explore other ideas and opportunities around the curriculum, please get in touch.

The Museum of Oxford, which is run by Oxford City Council, was reopened in October 2021 following a £2.8m refurbishment that tripled the size of the museum space.

“This is a real opportunity to enable all children and community groups to benefit from the formal learning opportunities about the history of our world-class city, Oxford. 

“Inspiration and creative skills that the museum staff can uniquely offer. To achieve this requires strong leadership and partnership from both the museum and educational worlds.”

Councillor Shaista Aziz, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Communities at Oxford City Council