Workshops

Our workshops with the 4 schools –  Ridgeway Primary Academy in Market Harborough, Brocks Hill Primary School in Oadby, Thythorn Field Primary School in Wigston and Foxton Primary School in Foxton village – took place in autumn 2024.

Firstly all the schools enjoyed a free trip to the museum. They were greeted by our artist Jessica, who took them on a sensory walk around Foxton Locks before going into the museum. The children thought about what they could hear, smell, see and touch.

In the museum the children explored, put labels on their favourite objects and were observed using the museum. They were then asked in groups what they’d like to have in the museum in the future. As well as what the children told us, Jessica and museum staff used their observations of how the children used the museum and what they engaged with to plan the next stage.

A few weeks later Jessica visited the children in their schools, along with Tracey, Foxton Canal Museum’s learning officer. Having developed her plans from the children’s visit to the museum Jessica had different activities for each school, designed so children could express themselves and themed around the 4 senses we explored on the visits to the museum.

Ridgeway Primary Academy

Ridgeway Primary Academy worked with us to explore the sights of Foxton Locks, they drew scenes on acetate and decorated wooden spoons in the traditional Roses and Castles canal boat art style. The artwork created by Ridgeway students led to the creation of the Roses and Castles style magnet board and the viewing porthole.

Foxton Primary School

Foxton Primary School worked with us to explore the texture of Foxton Locks. They looked at brass plates on the boats and locks to create some clay tiles. The ceramic work created by the Foxton students led to the creation of our brass rubbing and stamp activity.

Brocks Hill Primary School

Brocks Hill Primary School worked with us to explore the sounds of the canals and Foxton Locks. They made decorative shakers to emulate the sounds they heard. The designs made by the students at Brocks Hill led to the design of our decorative musical instruments.

Thythorn Field Primary School

Thythorn Field Primary School worked with us to explore the smells of site and the movement of the canals and locks. The students created their own marble runs. Their work led to the creation of our marble run and sensory trail to explore smell.