Victorian Workshop

The Drama Hut

Meet activist Dr Thomas Barnardo's Wife, 'Syrie', as she leads you to discover what it was like to live and work in Victorian Britain. You will visit a workhouse run by the intimidating ‘Mr Bumble’ and feel what it may be like to experience crime and punishment in the Victorian era. Hold your nose as you go 'Mudlarking' in the Thames and discover how Victorian England was transformed through innovation and The Industrial Revolution.

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Where we travel to

We can visit your school in: All UK Regions

What activities are available during this school workshop?

The children will have the opportunity to re-create some of the important inventions that came out of The Industrial Revolution by taking part in The Great Exhibition of 1851, as well as learning about the workhouses and life of some of the poorer children in Great Britain at this time.

Which curriculum topics do we cater for?

Monarchs

We will look at Queen Victoria's impactful reign from 1837-1901, her progressive ideas and influence during the Industrial Revolution as well as her old fashioned values about women and their role in society during this time of change.

Performing Arts

Click to read full text Our curriculum-based drama workshops include tailored, fully interactive, drama games, role play, team work exercises, poetry, songs, movement and more, led by an engaging, professional costumed actor.

Within this workshop children will create freeze frames of the era, in teams, they will act out and perform as mudlarkers digging for treasure in the River Thames. They will get into role of workhouse families and come face to face with Mr Bumble, the workhouse master. As well as tis they will work in teams to create some of the many inventions created during the Victorian era and present these at 'The Great Exhibition'.

Victorian

Crime and Punishment Queen Victoria Factories and The Workhouse Childhood and Schools Inventions

Our professional costumed actor will take on the role of 'Syrie Barnardo', the wife of Thomas Barnardo, who established Britains first children's home in 1867. Through improvisation and role play, we travel back in time to experience the harsh life of the poor in a typical 'Workhouse' and meet the formidable Master 'Mr Bumble'! We will learn a popular song from the 'Music Hall' and discover how Victorian England was transformed during the Industrial Revolution, whilst recreating ‘The Great Exhibition of 1851’ with special guest Queen Victoria herself!

Drama

What size groups do we cater for?

We are able to work with up to 30 children at any one time for a minimum of 60 minutes. We offer special day rates for multiple classes and can deliver up to three different topics to different year groups on the same day which works well for smaller schools, helping to manage tight school budgets.
If on-site, all we require on the day is the school hall or similar to work in and a member of staff to observe or join in the session/s.

How does safeguarding work for online workshops?

Online sessions are jointly hosted by the teacher and actor and may or may not be recorded, depending on the preference of the school. Ideally workshops take place in a school hall with a large screen, however, they can also work extremely well in a classroom, with desks pushed aside. Our Risk Assessment document is available upon request and is updated regularly to comply with all current advice and guidelines. 

What technology/devices/type of internet connection do schools need for an online workshop?

Online workshops are delivered live by professional actors and offer a fully interactive experience, enhancing learning in a creative environment. They are structured in the same way as an on-site visit and have the advantage of utilising the benefits of technology – in particular, virtual backgrounds, enabling actors to transport children back in time, to any era or location. School will require a good internet connection and ideally a large screen to project our actor on to, so all the children have good visibility. The Drama Hut currently using Zoom but can also work with Teams if this is a school preferred platform. We suggest online sessions last no longer than 75 minutes and recommend teachers test the link prior to the visit, to ensure sound and picture quality.

Access for visitors with disabilities

Yes - the very nature of our workshops being so visual and experiential, has led to extremely positive feedback from teachers when it comes to us working with children with disabilities. 

Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Yes- children with special educational needs really benefit and enjoy our interactive workshops. 

Anything else?

Testimonial:

"I just wanted to email and say thank you so much for our Victorian workshop today!!
Please feed this back to the actor as she was incredible! She had some challenging classes today with SEN needs etc, but was amazing at keeping every single child engaged! The children loved it and I am sure it will be an experience to remember!!"

Danetree Primary School- November 2022

"We really enjoyed the Victorian workshop, especially the dramatic elements which REALLY engaged the children and helped reinforce the learning from lessons. We enjoyed how fun it was and how it really did help History come alive!"

Edward Peake Middle School- March 2022

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Who are The Drama Hut?

At the Drama Hut we employ skilled costumed actors, who use the Performing Arts to help children truly experience a subject, complementing and enhancing learning in the classroom. Through improvisation, role play, movement and song, we help to bring the curriculum to life. Whether you choose to have us visit you online or on-site, our workshops are delivered live and are fully interactive. Prices start at £120 for a single workshop, with discounts available when multiple sessions/different topics are booked.
Whether it's a history subject, creative writing workshop, PSHE topic, or an opportunity to celebrate a significant person or event, let us help you to inspire learning with a Drama Hut workshop.

Our Reviews from Schools..

★★★★★
"The whole day was excellent - very hard to critique or improve."

Brentwood Prep School

★★★★★
"The workshop was great and the children loved it. It was certainly apparent they had retained the information when we carried out a unit of work about poor Victorian children. Lilli kept them entertained throughout and kept their attention - not easy with a group of five to six year olds! Teachers enjoyed it as well."

Alpha Prep School