Primary School Programme
Culture Perth and Kinross – Museums and Galleries
The school offer at CPK’s Museums and Galleries is firmly grounded in Curriculum for Excellence. Workshops at the
Museum support pupil development within the four capacities, and increase awareness of different types of
resources and evidence of the past. Varied activities support a range of different learning styles and workshops give
pupils the opportunity to exercise their curiosity and creativity in thinking and learning.
Charges
Workshops are offered to all PKC schools with a suggested donation of £1 per head.
Location
Most of our primary school workshops are delivered at Perth Museum and Art Gallery. The Portraits workshop can
be delivered to a small group at The Fergusson Gallery or can be split between the two. Inspired by… can also be
delivered at The Fergusson Gallery. Small group tailored workshops may also be delivered at Alyth Museum; please
get in touch to enquire about visits to Alyth.
Dates and Times
The regular programme included in this document is available all year round, usually on a Thursday with occasional
Fridays. Workshops can take place any time between 10am and 3pm (10-12 or 12:30-2:30 is standard). Classes are
welcome to stay longer than the booked workshop, eat lunch in the Lecture Hall and look around the rest of the
Museum self-guided. Resources are available to download from our website to help pupils explore the Museum.
Numbers
The maximum number for one workshop is 33 pupils. For groups of up to 45 pupils we can deliver a morning
workshop for half the group while the other half does self-guided activities in the museum and then swap over for
the afternoon.
Booking
To book, please fill out the form at the back of this info pack and email to [email protected]
HISTORY WORKSHOPS
Takherheb: the Perth Mummy
P3-5, Duration 2 hours
This workshop is all about Takherheb, the 3000 year old Egyptian mummy at Perth Museum. Pupils will learn about
the mummification process by going through the motions on a classmate (leaving the organs in place!), have a
chance to Takherheb behind-the-scenes in the museum store, create a hand-drawn version of her sarcophagus to
take back to school, and perform a drama of Takherheb’s life from priestess to museum object.
Curriculum Links:
SOC 1-04a
HWB 1-19a/2-19a, 1-23a/2-23a
LIT 1-02a/2-02a, 1-07a/2-07a, 1-09a/2-09a, 1-10a/2-10a
EXA 1-01a/2-01a, 1-03a/2-03a, 1-04a/2-04a, 1-12a/2-12a, 1-13a/2-13a, 1-14a/2-14a
The Romans in Perthshire
P3-5, Duration 2 hours
In this workshop pupils will build a picture of Roman Perthshire through examination of the evidence left behind.
Pupils will learn what form that evidence takes, examine maps and aerial phtographs and have the opportunity to
handle both real Roman artefacts. Pupils will learn about the Roman army which occupied Perthshire and their
uniform, and will have the opportunity to dress up as a Roman soldier. They can then either make mosaic tiles or
clay Roman lamps to take back to school.
Curriculum Links:
SOC 1-01a, 1-02a/2-02a, 1-03a, 1-04a/2-04a
HWB 1-19a/2-19a, 1-23a/2-23a
LIT 1-02a/2-02a, 1-07a/2-07a, 1-09a/2-09a, 1-10a/2-10a
Medieval Perth
P5-7, Duration 2 hours (add 90 mins for guided walk if desired)
This workshop is one of the highlights of the school programme at Perth Museum thanks to the wealth of medieval
material held in the collection and the depth of knowledge historians today have about the medieval burgh. Pupils
will learn about life in medieval Perth through handling real and replica artefacts and exploring a giant map of old
Perth. They will try carding and spinning wool, write with quill pens, try on medieval clothes and shoes, and learn
how curators look after the material. A medieval tour of Perth city centre may be added on to the workshop, either
self-guided making use of available resources or with museum staff.
Curriculum Links:
SOC 2-01a, 2-02a, 2-04a
HWB 2-19a, 2-23a
LIT 1-02a/2-02a, 1-07a/2-07a, 1-09a/2-09a, 1-10a/2-10a
MNU 2-11b
EXA 2-04a
Victorians
P5-7
This workshop will start with a look at a range of old maps to introduce pupils to the changes taking place in
Victorian Perth. Pupils will go on to learn about life in Victorian Perth through activities including object handling and
a close object study, dressing up in Victorian costume, exploring Victorian childhood through period toys, and
exploring the Victorian displays. The group will also come away with an introduction to Victorian collecting, which
led to the eventual foundation of Perth Museum and Art Gallery.
Curriculum Links:
HWB 2-19a, 2-23a
LIT 2-02a, 2-07a, 2-09a, 2-10a
EXA 2-01a
SOC 2-021, 2-03a, 2-04a
TCH 2-01b
The Development of Photography
P5-7, Duration 2 hours
This workshop can link well with a Victorian topic, and with technology experiences and outcomes. Pupils will learn
about the development of early photography in this workshop. They will learn about the principles of the camera
obscura through examining a home-made example, and explore the differences between the Daguerrotype and
calotype with the opportunity to see original photos taken by each method. They will make their own cyanotype
prints and test their classmates on their ability to sit still for the length of a long exposure. Finally, pupils will discuss
the development of photography and design their own futuristic camera.
Curriculum Links:
HWB 2-19a, 2-23a
LIT 2-02a, 2-07a, 2-09a, 2-10a
TCH 2-02b
NATURAL HISTORY WORKSHOPS
Beautiful Birds
P1-3, Duration 90 minutes
Pupils will get up close with our natural history collection in this workshop to learn all about birds. Through
observation and discussion pupils will learn the defining traits of a bird. Pupils will discover what we can tell about a
bird through looking closely at its beak, feet and eyes before getting the chance to closely examine a bird of their
own. The class will create detailed drawings and recordings of a range of British birds which can be taken back to
class and bound as a book or hung up on the wall. Pupils will explore the Wild & Wonderful gallery to discover what
birds you find in different habitats around Perthshire.
Curriculum Links:
HWB 1-19a, 1-23a
LIT 1-02a, 1-07a, 1-09a, 1-10a
SCN 1-01a
EXA 1-03a, 0-04a/1-04a
Mammals
P1-3, Duration 90 minutes
Through a combination of observation and discussion pupils will learn what makes an animal a mammal in this
workshop inspired by the natural history collection at PMAG. Pupils will gain an understanding of the many sizes and
shapes a mammal can be, explore the difference between a carnivore and a herbivore, learn what it means to be
warm-blooded and get the opportunity to see a range of taxidermy mammals close up.
Curriculum Links:
HWB 1-19a, 1-23a
LIT 1-02a, 1-07a, 1-09a, 1-10a
SCN 1-01a
EXA1-03a, 0-04/1-04a
Rocks and Minerals
P5-7, Duration 2 hours
Pupils will learn about the three types of rock, the differences between rocks and minerals, and how fossils are
formed in this workshop. This is hands-on workshops, offering pupils the opportunity to examine examples of rocks
and minerals and sort them based on close examination. Pupils will have the opportunity to make their own replica
fossil, and see the Museum’s geology stores.
Curriculum Links:
HWB 2-19a, 2-23a
LIT 2-02a, 2-07a, 2-09a, 2010a
SOC 2-02a
SCN 2-17a
ART WORKSHOPS
Animal Art
P1-7, Duration 90 mins to 2 hours
In this workshop pupils will look at symmetry, colour, form and patterns in the animal world through the natural
history collections of the Museum. Pupils will have the chance to handle a variety of specimens and try their hand at
recreating the textures and patterns seen in nature with charcoal (materials may vary dependent on age group)
before selecting a creature to focus on for a portrait.
Curriculum Links:
SOC 1-04a
HWB 1-19a/2-19a, 1-23a/2-23a
LIT 1-02a/2-02a, 1-07a/2-07a, 1-09a/2-09a, 1-10a/2010a
EXA 1-02a/2-02a, 1-03a/2-03a, 0-04a/1-04a/2-04a
TCH 0-15a/1-15a/2-15a
Portraits
P1-7, Duration 90 mins to 2 hours
Pupils will explore the expressive world of portraiture in this workshop inspired by the collections of Perth Museum
and Art Gallery. Taking part in a series of creative drama-based activities, pupils will discover ways to communicate
information, thought and feeling through portraits. Finishing with some tips and tricks to help with face and body
proportions, pupils will paint their own self-portrait.
Curriculum Links:
SOC 1-04a
HWB 1-19a/2-19a, 1-23a/2-23a
LIT 1-02a/2-02a, 1-07a/2-07a, 1-09a/2-09a, 1-10a/2010a
EXA 1-02a/2-02a, 1-03a/2-03a, 0-04a/1-04a/2-04a, 1-07a/2-07a, 0-12a/1-12a/2-12a, 0-13a/1-13a/2-13a, 0-14a/114a/2-14a
TCH 0-15a, 1-15a/2-15a
Inspired by…
P1-7, Duration 90 mins to 2 hours
Pupils will explore the incredible variety of the PMAG collections during this workshop, drawing inspiration from
what they find for an artwork of their own. They will have the opportunity to handle real and replica objects in a
range of materials and from different time periods. They’ll explore the objects through questioning and creative
activities before selecting something to recreate through an artwork. Teachers may choose from the following
mediums for the artwork: paint, pastels, charcoal, clay.
Curriculum Links:
SOC 1-04a
HWB 1-19a/2-19a, 1-23a/2-23a
LIT 1-02a/2-02a, 1-07a/2-07a, 1-09a/2-09a, 1-10a/2010a
EXA 1-02a/2-02a, 1-03a/2-03a, 0-04a/1-04a/2-04a
TCH 0-15a/1-15a/2-15a
LANGUAGE WORKSHOPS
The collections at Perth Museum & Art Gallery provide a wealth of inspiration and opportunity for learning a new
language, whether it is English, Gaelic or a foreign language. Object handling can provide an interesting way of
introducing new vocabulary, and can encourage sharing and discussion around cultural similarities and differences,
particularly in a class with pupils from a range of backgrounds. Museum learning staff can work with teachers to
deliver an engaging and creative way to expand language skills. Please get in touch to discuss further.
Perth Museum and Art Gallery
School Booking Form
+
Contact Information
Contact Name:
Accompany Teacher
(if different):
School Address:
Street Address
City
Post Code
Phone:
Email:
Visit Information
Class age:
# of Pupils:
Date of visit:
Topic:
Arriving at:
Leaving at:
Any additional support needs or requirements?
Would you like time built into the day to visit the shop? Yes ☐ No ☐
Will photographs be taken during the class? Yes ☐ No ☐
Museum staff may take photographs during the class. Do we have permission to use photos of the class in publications, on the
website and on social media? Yes (we will ask you to fill in a separate permissions form) ☐ No ☐
Other Information
In order to maximize your time at Perth Museum:
• Teachers are expected to participate in the class and be responsible for the behaviour of the pupils throughout the visit.
• Schools are required to carry out their own risk assessment for the visit.
Please complete this form and return to Rebecca Berger ([email protected] | 01738 477037)
Museum Use Only
Date form sent to
school:
Date received from
school:
Date confirmation of class
received:
Class to proceed: