Opening Times

open Tuesday-Saturday and Bank Holidays 10.00am - 5.00pm; Sunday 1pm -4pm

What makes this a great venue for School group Fun or Educational Visits?

Housed in a maginificent Victorian mansion, Bankfield was the home of Edward Akroyd, the largest woollen manufacturer in Britain. Bankfield retains mainy original architectural features and is home to an internationally important collection of textiles and costumes from around the world. As well as fascinating collections of toys, contemporary crafts and multi cultural artefacts.Also hosts the Duke of Wellington's Regimental Museum.

What are the Curriculum Topics or Benefit to the students from a visit?

For primary - history and cross curricular
For secondary - history and art and design

What are the activities?

Old Toys - to work with toys from the Victorian era to the 1970s. KS1&2

Garments & Games - this workshop encourages pupils to compare and contrast childhood during the Victorian period with growing up today. KS1&2

Churchill's Children - through role play your class will find out what it's like to be evacuated during World War II. KS2.

Miniature Museums - this workshop explores how a museum works. Your class will learn how we select, care for, interpret and display our collections. KS2.

We also offer Object Handling and workshops for KS3.

During school holidays we offer art and craft activities, and activities for pre-school.

What is the age range of the activities?

Pre-school for families, 5-15 years

Sample programme of the activities:

Churchill's Children:
Through role play your class will find out what it's like to be evacuated during World War II in this character led workshop. Pupils will have the opportunity to handle a variety of original wartime artefacts, play with wartime toys, try on 1940s clothing and learn a 1940s song and dance. The activities will focus on all aspects of the Home Front including blackout, air raids, leisure time and rationing.

What materials to you provide or suggest groups bring to support the visit?

Teachers receive pre- and post-visit resources, and get general health and safety guidelines relating to the venue.

What are the minimum and maximum group sizes and the free Teacher Ratio?

£3.25 per child for schools subscribing to the Calderdale Discover offer (minimum charge is £75 per group) ; for non-subscribers the charge is £4.00 per child (minimum charge is £90 per group).
Teachers and helpers are free.
Max class size is 35.

Do you have or how do you arrange risk assessment?

Schools receive Health & Safety Guidelines but do recommend schools do a risk assessment as well.

Do you offer Teacher familiarisation days?

On an informal basis

What facilities are there for school groups for food and drink, shop etc?

Space provided for groups to have a packed lunch - please ask for this when booking.
There is a museum shop selling pocket money items to more expensive merchandise.

Is specific clothing required?

No but children may dress up if schools wish to organise this

Do you have first aid on site?

Yes

Are there any restrictions on photos, copyright etc?

No use of flash photography; no filming of workshop sessions

Additional information.

Disabled access on the first floor.
Education Officers are always pleased to discuss individual sessions/bookings with teachers.