Christ College Brecon links up with local museums for Age of Revolution Project

AS part of a national project linking schools with local museums and galleries, Christ College Brecon has teamed up with The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh and Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery to engage the children in local history with a focus on the Merthyr Rising.

The Age of Revolution project is nationwide scheme partnering heritage facilities with neighbouring schools. To coincide with its current learning, Christ College pupils are exploring The Merthyr Rising which saw the working-class revolt against low pay and unemployment in 1831.

The first joint activity saw Year 9 pupils participate in an online workshop with Cyfarthfa Castle Museum this January. The virtual lesson engaged pupils with fascinating facts and information and curriculum-linked ideas to help bring the extraordinary period to life and develop the context of the rising.

Christ College’s History and Creative Arts departments will now collaborate with The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh to produce a short stop-motion animation based on the notorious trial and execution of Dic Penderyn. On their return to school, Year 9 students will use their drama, art and photography skills together with their history teachings to produce the animation which will be used on the Age of Revolution website.

Head of Teaching and Learning for Christ College Brecon Ruth Allen said: “This is a fantastic opportunity that allows our pupils to engage in local history in a dynamic way whilst at the same time contributing to a national project. We’re delighted to be a part of the project and hope the links established with the local heritage centres will continue.”

Ben Price, Education and Interpretation Officer at Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery, said: “This is a great opportunity for pupils to learn more about Wales today. Through engaging with the history of the Merthyr Rising and the industrial development of Merthyr Tydfil as a world leader of iron production in the nineteenth century, we can explore themes from climate change, local and national politics to culture and language. Projects like this can help the pupils on an exciting and fascinating journey of discovery that can bring to life the history of Wales.”

Christ College Brecon prides itself on its second curriculum which complements academic study and contributes to pupils’ skills development and includes music and performance arts and an excellent sport and outdoor pursuit provision.

For further information please contact admissions@christcollegebrecon.com or visit www.christcollegebrecon.com.