Opening Times

By arrangement for schools or open weekends and bank holidays from Good Friday to the end of October, 11am-4pm.

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

Heptonstall Museum is situated on the hillside of this beautiful village in the upper Calder Valley. The sturdy little stone-mullioned building was once a local grammar school and still contains the original school benches, carved with the names of generations of children. The nearby churchyard is the final resting place of local 'coiners' (forgers) and the Museum houses the tools of their illegal and deadly trade.

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

For primary - history and cross curricular
Although we do not have workshops specifically for Secondary they can enquire about doing a self guided visit or having one of our history workshops adapted for their class.

What are the activities?

Self guided trail - schools can arrange a self guided visit by contacting a member of the education team.

Victorian Schoolroom (key stage 2) - Your class will be taught the 3 R's in our atmospheric classroom by a Victorian school teacher.

During school holidays we sometimes offer activities for families

What is the age range of the activities?

KS2. We can adapt sessions for older children

Sample programme of the activities:

Victorian Schoolroom:

Your class will be taught the 3R's in our atmospheric classroom by a Victorian school teacher. Discover the fascinating museum collections and play with original and reproduction Victorian toys in this fun and interactive historical workshop.

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?

For workshops it is £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).

For a self guided visit we are ask for a donation for the museum to cover staff costs of opening the museum.
Teachers and helpers are free.

Max Class size is 65.

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.

Is specific clothing required?

No but children may dress up if schools wish to organise this. We do also have clothes children can wear for the Victorian schoolroom.

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.

The museum is surrounded by uneven paving and there are steps into the building.
Education Officers are always pleased to discuss individual sessions/bookings with teachers.