Museums as schools transform early education

There is currently a shortage of primary school places in the UK and, at the same time, a decline in visitor numbers is putting many smaller, local museums at risk of closure.

Recognising these two societal challenges, researchers at King’s, Dr Heather King and Dr Jen DeWitt, worked with architect Wendy James and found that the national curriculum could be taught in a museum setting just as well as a traditional classroom setting, demonstrating the value of museums as learning spaces for primary school children.

‘My primary school is at the museum’, outlines the findings of a pilot scheme which placed one nursery and two primary school classes in their local museum for a full term of teaching. The groups undertook many of their daily lessons and activities at their local museums for a period of between two weeks and up to a full term. The museums’ collections were used to provide context for a range of school subjects.

Teachers quickly noticed changes in their pupils’ progression through the syllabus and in their interpersonal skills, in particular gaining confidence, building social and communication skills and enhancing creativity as well as retaining more of what they learnt.  The children’s parents also actively supported the project, with some visiting their local museums for the first time as result.

‘The project findings will inspire schools and museums across the UK and contribute to the debate around creative and cultural learning,’ said Katherine Bond, Director of the King’s Cultural Institute. ‘We hope that the pilot projects will lead to new models for the delivery of the national curriculum and that extended school residencies in local museums eventually become part of every child’s education.’

More information on the project, including details of the final report is available on the King’s College London website.