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This session offers five different activities in which home educated children can take an active role in learning about life during the Second World War on the Home Front through some of the darkest days in Britain’s history. They will learn not only about survival, but about how people worked together to ‘do their bit’ to help the war effort. Our schools team will inform and guide the children throughout their visit.
The activity day is aimed at children aged 7 – 11 (Key Stage 2). At least one parent/carer, who is prepared to participate, should accompany each family group, and remain with the children throughout.
Arrival will be from 10am/10.15am with activities starting at 10.30am. Lunch will be 12Noon to 12.45pm.
We will allocate you into smaller groups 6 to 8 to participate for up to 25 minutes in each activity/tour.
£7 per child, including a private room for lunch, bag drop and breakout space.
Note charges are billed as ‘Exeter Tickets’.
Activities
Each activity takes approximately 25 minutes to complete:
Exeter Blitz and Home Life
Clothing and Uniform
Air Raids and ARP Warden
Rationing, Food and Dig For Victory
A Postcard Home
Before you arrive
Explore our visit information
Do also read our terms and conditions and our museum-led school visit risk assessment
More activity information
Exeter Blitz and Home Life
Learn about the Exeter Blitz and Second World War home life through genuine artefacts. What were the different types of bomb dropped on the city? Have a go at dealing with an incendiary device. The children will study images of the devastation and how this was dealt with during and after the air raids. They can handle and consider the ordinary things people had in their homes to learn about their everyday lives and listen to a 78RPM record on a genuine wind-up gramophone.
Clothing and Uniform
Try on clothing and uniforms of the courageous people in the Civil Defence and learn about the roles of volunteers giving up their time to be members of the Women’s Voluntary Service, those working on the farms and woodland as part of the Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps. Also, the brave members within Air Raid Precautions (ARP) doing their bit as wardens, fire fighters, rescuers, ambulance drivers and first aiders and, of course, the Home Guard.
Roman and Ancient British Tour
Find out about the arrival of a Roman Legion in Isca, the construction of the fortress and bathhouse. Discover what life was like in the civilian city of Isca Dumnonoirum when the legion left. What did the Romans leave behind in Devon and Exeter? Learn about the Seaton Down Hoard and view the complete coin hoard which is on permanent display.
Air Raids and the ARP Warden
Find out about the work of an Exeter Air Raid Warden through his uniform and equipment. Listen to first-hand accounts of people who lived through the Blitz while watching recordings of the time. Experience a real air raid through headphones while sitting in a real Anderson Shelter. It will give the children a chance to truly empathise with those living through the early hours of 4th May 1942..
Rationing, Food and Dig for Victory
The children will handle and talk about genuine artefacts to consider what food was rationed. They will discuss how people made do whilst helping themselves and others to be part of the ‘Grow Your Own and Dig for Victory’ campaign. After this, they can design their own Dig for Victory garden using our templates.
A Postcard Home
The children will meet Doris, our very own evacuee child to consider her reason for being here and her thoughts and feelings. They will learn about Operation Pied Piper, the Evacuation Scheme and consider what items Doris has brought with her on her journey. After reading a genuine postcard from a mother to her evacuated child, they will write a reply on our template. This can be taken back to school for completion.
Event Information
Dates and Times
- 30 April 2024 10:15 – 14:00
Price
£7 per pupil
Location
RAMM
