Students take step back in time

Published on 12 November 2019

First year students on the University’s Childhood Studies programme took a whistle-stop tour of three North Yorkshire Museums to enrich their studies.

The day-long visit in Ripon was spent exploring 19^th century life in the mid-Victorian Workhouse including learning how to make a ‘proggy’ mat from off-cuts of material and sampling a lesson in the classroom; dressing up and re-enacting the real-life trial of a 12-year-old bread stealer in the early 19^th century courthouse (who was found guilty and transported to Australia) and investigating crime and punishment in the cathedral city’s former prison and police station.

For most of the population in the 19^th century, life was extremely difficult and some measure of their struggle was revealed.

Led by Senior Lecturer Julian Kranz and accompanied by members of the Childhood Studies staff – Team Leader, Lindey Cookson, Bruce Marjoribanks and Julie Ovington – the visit complements and supports the Nature and Culture of Childhood module which aims to place interpretations of children and childhood in an historic context.

Lecturers said the day was well appreciated by students who joined in all activities with great enthusiasm. Feedback showed that such experiential learning is worthwhile and creates a greater understanding of their degree subject.

Julie Ovington, Childhood Studies Lecturer And Year One Programme Leader, said: “The event provided a unique opportunity for experiential learning, moving the historical constructs of the child in to a reality for our students. There was a real mix of fun with learning creating an emotional connection for our students which will stay with them throughout their learning journey. When Bruce and I dressed up it blurred the boundaries and opened up a space for students to get to know us as people, which really helps our students as they transition.”

Student Harrison Kirton said: “I really enjoyed the trip, seeing how children lived in the workhouse in Victorian times was fascinating.

“I especially enjoyed the acting out as part of the courtroom drama.

Caitlin Armstrong added that the experience made the learning real. The student explained: “The learning that took place in university about the history and culture of childhood made more sense when I saw it in the workhouse school room, courthouse and prisons.”

For more information about Childhood Studies at the University of Sunderland, contact Julie Ovington or Bruce Marjoribanks.

Julie Ovington: Tel 0191 5152525 /email:  Julie.ovington@sunderland.ac.uk

Bruce Marjoribanks:  Tel 0191 515 2885 / 0191 515 3265

Email: bruce.marjoribanks@sunderland.ac.uk

For more photos from the Ripon trip click here.