News: Merchant Adventurers' Experience reaches new milestone
Over 4000 local children have now taken part in the Merchant Adventurers’ Experience. This project for Key Stage 2 has been developed by Education Executive, Rebecca Francis and Museum Director, Lauren Marshall.
Each visit includes a morning of activities focused on the stories of the Hall which bring to life key areas of the history curriculum. Rebecca and Lauren continually develop the programmme and explore new ways to interact with the Hall and collections.
The 1988 Trust also fund transport for each school visit. This ensures one of the main barriers to learning outside the classroom is removed.
What do the children learn?
Popular themes include The Tudors and The Victorians & Industrial Revolution. During the Tudor trading game, children work in teams and try their hand at becoming successful Tudor Merchant Adventurers! They choose which goods to take from York and the ports they will travel to. What will be in demand in Tudor York? Will they encounter any issues on the journey? A storm, a port blockade or even pirates? Which group will return to York and make their fortune?
During the Victorian theme the children discover some of the lesser-known stories from the history of the Hall. Moral dilemmas are acted out and discussed when learning about the people who applied for a place in the Alms House. The children must decide who’s need is greater and consider what was important to the Victorians when deciding who they will grant the much-needed place in the Alms House to.
The aim of each visit is to provide children with a unique out of classroom learning experience, using the stories of the Hall to connect to local and national history. Activities are engaging, hands on and hope to foster a sense of pride and curiosity in their city.
Contact Rebecca, Charity.admin@merchantshallyork.org to find out more.
Feedback from the teachers
"Just wanted to say a huge thank you for a wonderful visit this morning. The children asked some great questions that showed how engaged they were in their activities and the high level of interest they had in the hall and the merchant adventurers. The tasks were pitched appropriately with the children enjoying the trading game and having a chance to explore the hall-the new characters went down well too!” Mrs Haffey-Elvington Primary School
“On behalf of our Year 3/4 class, I would like to thank you for the excellent Tudor workshop at Merchant Adventurers’ Hall. The children thoroughly enjoyed the session and were fully engaged throughout. Your enthusiasm, knowledge, and the hands-on activities really brought Tudor history to life for them. They learned so much and have continued talking about the experience afterwards. Thank you again for all the time and effort you put into making the workshop such a memorable and enjoyable experience for the children.” Mrs Wedge-Burton Green Primary School
