The Environmental Studies Service at New Mills Heritage and Information Centre.

The Environmental Studies Service is provided by Derbyshire County Council. The service has been developed to offer day programmes of classroom activities and fieldwork. The programmes have been designed to interpret New Mills, how it originated, has grown, developed and changed over time. The programmes have been designed to include a variety of activities, some of which take place in the centre and many of which take place in New Mills Town or its locality. The approach is one of investigation through a series of structured Key questions. The hope is that the children will enjoy the day through taking part and finding out about New Mills' fascinating history and some of the current issues facing its future.

All the programmes are designed for primary school children. Each programme has been developed to provide a case study for specific Units of work in the QCA Schemes of Work.

Four programmes are available for Geography.

1) Unit 14 Investigating Rivers: water and its effect on
landscapes and people in and around New Mills.
Key Stage 2

2) Unit ? New Mills, a contrasting locality.
Key Stage 2

3) Unit 20 New uses for old buildings - an environmental issue.
Key Stage 2 - Year 5

4) Unit 20 Local traffic - an environmental issue.
Key Stage 2 - Year 5

Three programmes are available for History.

1) Unit 18 What was it like to live here in the past?
Key Stage 2 - Year 3 or 4

2) Unit 12 How did life change in our locality in Victorian Times?
Key Stage 2 - Year 5 or 6

3) What was it like to live in New Mills during the War?
Key Stage 2

Two programmes for Art and Design.

1) Key Stage 2 Visiting a museum, gallery or site.

2) Key Stage 1 or 2 The textile industry in the Victorian period.
Cotton - from field to fabric.

Two programmes for Science.

1) Unit 4B Habitats
Key Stage 2 - Year 4

2) Unit 6A Interdependence and Adaptation.
Key Stage 2 - Year 6

* Click on any programme for a detailed programme *

Organisation and booking procedure

Schools who would like to book a day at the centre to carry out one of the fieldwork days programmes should contact Jane Butterworth - the Environmental Studies Secretary.
She can be contacted term time only, mornings 9.00 - 12.00am by phone on 01663 746904 or by E-mail at educ.nmhc@ukonline.co.uk

There is a charge of £3.75 per child or £3.50 if booked a term in advance. Accompanying adults come free. We insist on a ratio of 1 adult to every 6 children as a minimum. We can accommodate one class only on any one visit. The activities will be led by an experienced Environmental Studies Leader. The class teacher will remain in charge of the class at all times.

A risk assessment has been carried out for the activities and this is available on request.

Teachers are invited to visit the centre and discuss the programmes with the Environmental Studies Service Manager.