St George's Hall, Liverpool, is reputedly one of the finest neo-classical buildings in the world. In 2001 a major renovation project commenced. The director of St George's Hall was keen to ensure that the educational value of the building work was maximised and that a permanent log of the restoration, particularly from a young person's perspective, was captured 'on record'.
This project recognised the huge potential and powerful role that culture and history can play in terms of supporting curriculum delivery in schools. The resources of St George's Hall were largely untapped and this project aimed to deliver some of the requirements of the National Curriculum in an innovative and creative way, while offering additional enrichment opportunities.
- To use the refurbishment project as a vehicle for developing the ICT, literacy and numeracy skills of Key stage 2 pupils
- To provide pupils with an insight into Liverpool's historical and cultural development and to increase their interest in the city through first-hand involvement in this high-profile project
- To provide work-related learning experiences for the pupils by giving them the opportunity to work with construction industry professionals and St George's Hall staff
- To accredit the experiences of the pupils through the CITB-ConstructionSkills Award Scheme and through Children's University
- To provide a permanent archive of the refurbishment of the Hall and ongoing website content
- To provide professional development opportunities for school staff
- To develop a transferable model that can be used as a format for other historical buildings
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- The aim was to involve Key stage 2 pupils from three schools - one from each Education Action Zone (EAZ) in Merseyside - throughout the three-year refurbishment period. These children would also be involved in the official celebrations at the end of the building project.
- Pupils from two schools (St Sebastian's - EXCITE EAZ) and St Cleopas' (Dingle Granby Toxteth EAZ) began the project in Year 3 and were in Year 5 on its completion. This meant that as they moved up a year group the children were fully aware of the project, although their class teacher had to be briefed about it. Year 5 pupils from Banks Road Primary School (Speke Garston EAZ) worked with their teacher over two academic years until they progressed to secondary school. The class teacher remained with the new Year 6 class and very enthusiastically saw the project through to its conclusion in June 2004. Some pupils had the opportunity to complete the work they had begun in primary school during a transition project at their new secondary school.
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- A range of cross-curricular activities designed by teachers, EAZ consultants and business partners took place during pupil visits to St George's Hall.
- Teachers achieved National Curriculum-based objectives within numeracy, literacy, ICT, history and design technology through avenues that captured the interest and enthusiasm of the children. Activities were predominantly practical and interactive.
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- CITB-Construction Skills
- Liverpool City Council, through the services of City Historian, Steve Binns
- Liverpool Echo
- MGL Ltd
- Middlesbrough Evening Gazette Media Company
- Mowlem Construction
- Parklands City Learning Centre
- Purcell Miller Tritton
- St George's Hall
- Trinity Mirror
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