The school is a family-friendly museum that welcomes visitors of all ages to experience a slice school life in a bygone age.

Located in Barton-upon-Humber, the school museum offers, through role-play, hands-on exhibits and talks, an authentic and memorable experience of teaching in the 19th and 20th century.

Our Schools Programme has been developed to provide children with an exciting way of engaging their young minds with history, encouraging them to use their imaginations and powers of creative thinking.

The activities listed below, all take place in the Wilderspin National School, a recently restored Grade II* listed building where education pioneer Samuel Wilderspin changed the face of primary school education.  

There are opportunities for whole-day visits to the School and facilities for eating a packed lunch.

Up in the Gallery

This programme is tailored for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils.

Their visit takes place in the restored schoolroom and playground designed by Samuel Wilderspin who taught there with his wife and daughter. Playtime takes place in the playground using typical toys from the time.

Eyes to the Front

This programme is specifically tailored for Key Stage 2 pupils and focuses on a timetable typical of the Victorian period from 1890 for children aged from 7 to 14. It takes place in our original and distinctive Victorian classroom with all children and teachers dressing in Victorian costume.

This unit is run by North Lincolnshire Museum Service.

Wartime Schooldays Experience

This is tailored for Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 pupils and looks at what was it like for children during the Second World War.

Wartime Schooldays examines the impact of the Second World War on children’s lives at home and in the classroom. Pupils assume the role of evacuees escaping the Hull blitz for the safety of Barton.

The Camera Never Lies

Investigating Victorian school photographs and re-creating a class image in the 1845 Wilderspin Schoolroom.

Strands of Learning

A re-creation of a lesson on the 1845 Wilderspin Schoolroom based on techniques described in Wilderspin’s teaching manuals and focussing on the Victorian rope making industry in Barton and the working conditions of children.  (At Wilderspin National School from April).

Talking Architecture

An urban study of the Victorian buildings of the Conservation Area in the vicinity of the school culminating in making a streetscape and map using period photographs and field study evidence.