National Maritime Museum and Queen's House secondary school and post 16 visits

Discover how contemporary Black artists such as Kehinde Wiley and Yinka Shonibare CBE convey important messages about diversity and citizenship in their work. Analyse famous artworks up close and make comparisons between historical and contemporary pieces around themes of equality and representation. Develop responses to the artworks through interactive tasks and collaborate together on a creative outcome.  

Pupils will: 

• analyze famous artworks. 

• Discuss how leading contemporary artists are exploring issues of diversity and citizenship.  

• communicate and present ideas effectively through practical creative tasks. 

• Broaden understanding of Black British history.

How did Transatlantic Enslavement impact on peoples identities? What were the impacts of the trade itself and resistance to it? This enquiry day supports students to use a range of primary and secondary sources and museum handling collections to explore the history of the transatlantic slave trade, its impact around the Atlantic and ongoing legacies of enslavement. 

Students will:  

• develop historical enquiry skills in the unique context of the Museum  

• handle replica objects, investigate rare manuscripts and examine historic artefacts in our ‘Atlantic Worlds’ gallery  

• reflect upon the significance of this history and the legacies in the present day. 

How did England defeat the Spanish Armada? Are there other explanations for its failure? This enquiry day supports students to delve into the Museum’s unique collections and archives to question why the Spanish Armada failed and if the English actually won. KS3 students will investigate the myths behind the Armada and use these to question whether England actually did defeat Spain. GCSE students will seek to evaluate why the Armada failed with reference to key themes highlighted in their course specification and use different forms of evidence, including the ‘Armada Portrait’, Spanish court documents and handling objects, to acquire multiple perspectives on the Armada and ultimately explain its failure and legacies. 

Students will:  

• develop historical enquiry skills using primary and secondary sources including original archives and artefacts  

• have the opportunity to get up-close to the iconic ‘Armada Portrait’ of Queen Elizabeth I and explore the ‘Tudor and Stuart Seafarers’ gallery  

• debate and discuss the evidence they gather with their fellow classmates 

How were people’s lives shaped by the East India Company? Explore this history through handling objects and investigating unique collections to consider India and the East India Company, the consequences for individuals, communities and cultures in Europe and Asia, as well as contemporary legacies. 

Students will:  

• use enquiry and critical thinking skills to ask how and why the East India Company expanded from trade to imperial control  

• consider the consequences of the British Empire for individuals, communities and cultures in Europe and Asia  

• analyse museum archives, artefacts and gallery content as part of their research process 

How have the global connections of the British Isles by sea shaped and created migration? This session is designed to support students studying Migration as part of their GCSE History Course and will include the chance to investigate archival materials and objects relating to different migrant communities over 1000 years.  

Students will:   

• use enquiry and critical thinking skills to ask how maritime migration and movement has shaped Britain and how Britain has responded to different migrant groups   

• consider the consequences of migration and movement for individuals and communities 

• analyze museum archives, artefacts and gallery content as part of their research process  

These sessions are a chance to work with a member of our learning team and consider A level topics and units by investigating handling collections, original archival materials and museum collections. Sessions can be adapted to meet specific specification needs. 

Previous sessions have included:

• The early growth of the British Empire
• The Navy and Conflict in British society
• Technology at Sea that changed the world
• Anglo Dutch Conflict and Mercantilism
• The Spanish Armada and the Sea in Elizabethan England

Contact learning@rmg.co.uk directly if you are interested in discussing a topic.