Our award winning Learning programme aims to bring to life the rich heritage of the South Wales Valleys.  Visits to our museum are designed to engage learners with their topic and provide opportunities to work toward the National Curriculum, Cwricwlwm Cymreig, Cornerstones and the Literacy and Numeracy Framework

The Winding House Learning Programme has recently been awarded a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge and a Sandford Award for museum heritage education.  Read more here about the Sandford Award judge's comments on our learning programme. Read more here about the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge.

opportunities for schools 2017/18 (pdf) | Cyfleoedd i Ysgolion 2017/18 (pdf) 

School Workshops

Toys through Time - Foundation Phase

Travel through 2000 years of children’s toys and help us choose the best one ever!  We will compare many types of toys and games to find similarities and differences to the present day versions.’  One group per day maximum.

Roman Around - Key Stage 2

Explore Roman living with our two ‘real Romans’.  Wearing Armour, marching in formation, serving a feast, playing games, making pottery and medical training – it’s all here in our fully facilitated workshop.  One group per day maximum.

Victorian Valleys - Key Stage 2 and Foundation Phase

Get to grips with life for working class men, women and children through our Victorian workshop. Discover the perils of coalmining, the hardship of domestic service and experience a Victorian school session.  One group per day maximum.

Literacy and Numeracy Activity - "Reform Street"

Click on the image below to download our Victorian literacy and numeracy activity. 

Overcrowded, children at work, women at home - this is how we think of life in Victorian towns, but was it really like that?  This resource charts the changes in Reform Street over a forty year period.  Using genuine Victorian census material , your class can use their comprehension, statistical and analytical skills to interpret the dynamic history of the street.

The pack contains guidance notes and can be used as part of your topic, or in addition to a museum visit.  It is relevant to the Literacy and Numeracy Framework, the National Curriculum, Curriculum Cymreig and the Cornerstones 'Children of the Revolution' ILP.  

Life in Wartime - Key Stage 2

Investigate life on the Home Front with our World War Two workshop.  Using a range of sources, your pupils will explore the ways that rationing, evacuation, blackouts & bombings and national service changed people’s lives.  One group per day maximum.     

Need to bring more than one group on the same day?     

We collaborate with Newbridge Memo to run joint visits at the Memo when schools need to bring more than one group of 30 per day.  To book these sessions please call 01495 243252.

Booking is essential for all our workshops.

Please contact the Lifelong Learning Officer on 01443 822666 or email windinghouse@caerphilly.gov.uk

We have lots of updates and developments planned for the Learning section of our website - so please keep visiting!

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL WORKSHOPS ARE SUBJECT TO CHARGES AND CANCELLATION FEES.  Read more here.

Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative

With a dedicated Learning and Outreach Officer on site we are well placed to support your ideas for local heritage projects.  Contact us to discuss your project.

“It’s been great working with the Winding House Museum as it has enabled us to use resources we can’t get access to in school. It has really helped us in our project.”  Ty’n y Wern Primary School, Caerphilly County Borough, 9 time winners, Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative

Secondary Schools

Our dedicated Learning and Outreach Officer can work with you on bespoke sessions, tailored to your specific needs either in our museum or by visiting your school. Speak to us about opportunities for History, the Welsh Baccalaureate and other topics.

"I just wanted to say thank you so much for the workshop you gave our students yesterday. They really enjoyed it and it was absolutely perfect for both the Child care and Health and Social care assignments that they are currently studying." Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni

Home Schooling

Home schooled groups are very welcome at the Winding House. Please call our Learning Officer to discuss your options.

"Thank you again for your help, in my homeschooling experience you have been one of the most helpful, amiable and professional people I have come across." Feedback from a recent visit by a home schooled group to the Winding House.

Community Learning

New for Summer 2018, the Winding House is looking for adult learners to take part in our "Cabinet of Curiosities" project.  Free of charge, the project will allow you to work with local artists to create an artwork to be placed inside the cabinet of curiosity.  The project is Heritage Lottery Funded and we are working in partnership with National Museum Wales, Monmouthshire Museums and Inside Out Cymru. 

Booking information can be found on the flyer below.

Find out more here

Planning a visit

• Finding us: "How to Find Us" information can be found here
• Visiting us: details of opening times and facilities can be found here
• Charges and cancellations: important information on charges and cancellations can be found here.