Secondary Schools & FE
Local History
At The Salisbury Museum, we’re uniquely placed to help you bring your history curriculum to life through a local lens. From Old Sarum and the Normans to our Salisbury Galleries, which trace the city’s story from 1220 to today, we provide a local angle to national events and themes.
We understand that museum visits can be challenging to schedule, so as well as bespoke visits and workshops, we can come to your school. Our team can support your lessons with local history insight—and, for certain topics, we can even bring museum artefacts to your classroom.
Beyond the History Curriculum
Our partnerships with secondary schools go far beyond history. We work collaboratively and cross-curricularly, using the museum as a creative learning resource.
We’ve developed projects with Art and English departments, created enrichment opportunities, and offer a programme of bookable talks and learning sessions. Whether you’re looking for a one-off workshop or a long-term partnership, we’re here to help foster creativity, critical thinking, and community connection.
If you have a theme in mind, we’d love to hear from you!
What We Offer:
Research-Based Creative Practice: Art Inspired by History
How are contemporary artists inspired by history? What can a museum offer as a creative partner—and can the act of curation itself be an artwork?
Together with local teachers, we’ve developed a collaborative art project that explores these questions. Initially piloted with Year 10 students, the
project ran weekly and culminated in a GCSE-assessable portfolio, though it can be easily adapted for KS3 or KS5.
This bespoke, co-designed project encourages students to see history and contemporary art as living, interconnected disciplines—building pride in their community and a sense of belonging.
Next steps: Contact us to arrange a free initial consultation to discuss your ideas and how we can support your students.
Teacher testimonial:
“Working with the museum staff has given our students a unique opportunity to develop their understanding of their own environment. The project was led in an open and collaborative way which meant we have been able to meet the needs of our students and ensure we are delivering a dynamic and challenging curriculum… I am certainly looking forward to being able to work with The Salisbury Museum again.”
Curate Your Life!
What does a curator do? How are exhibitions and galleries created? And how do we all use curation skills in our daily lives—often without realising it?
In this interactive project, students work with museum staff to explore curation from every angle—from display design and interpretation writing, design and themes, to social media and understanding how we curate our own lives. The course culminates in a student-led exhibition inspired by local history, community, and modern life in Salisbury.
This course gives students valuable insight into careers in museums, galleries, and the creative industries, while deepening their connection to local history.
Available as a weekly enrichment course or a one-day intensive session.
Student testimonial:
“I found working with the museum very enjoyable, it encouraged a deeper interest in local history and engagement with the local community (specifically the museum) and enabled space for creativity while looking into serious topics.”
Research & Independent Study Support
Need help guiding your students through A-level Art independent studies?
We can offer research advice, behind-the-scenes access, and special visits to explore objects on display and in our archives and stores.
Additionally, our Ceramics Gallery, set in the stunning Tudor King’s Room, showcases pieces from prehistory to the present day—perfect for research, inspiration, and visual study.
Creative Writing Workshops
Looking for inspiration for creative writing projects? The museum’s collections are full of rich inspiration. Led by our Learning and Engagement Manager, a published writer with over 20 years’ experience teaching creative writing to young people, these bespoke workshops use museum artefacts as creative prompts.
Perfect for enrichment or English language support sessions. Contact us to design a workshop tailored to your group.
Narrative and Local History for Creative Subjects
We’ve supported FE/HE students in film, media, and game design with workshops and guided tours on world-building, narrative, and historical inspiration and context.
If your creative project draws on the past, we can help provide the research and inspiration you need.
Talks and Lectures
Our expert team delivers engaging talks that explore local perspectives on global history.
Current topics include:
- Local Women in World War One
- Early Modern Witchcraft and the Salisbury Witch Trial
More talks are in development—let us know if there’s a theme you’d like us to explore.
Get in Touch
To find out more, discuss pricing options, or book an initial consultation, please contact:
📧 education@salisburymuseum.org.uk
