Project summary

Working alongside Ancient House Museum, and the BFER, the children of Drake Primary School developed a riverside trail to teach others about Thetford’s rich history. Every class visited a location alongside the river They then researched the location and created an audio guide about it. These were all made into a Riverside Trail for families to follow.

Funding sources and costings

Emma Mordue - £200

Drake Primary School - Reproduction of maps

Ancient House Museum - Invaluable expertise and time

Radio Producer - £223.02 for 1 day

Project networks and services provided

LCEP Board Member(s) leading the project: Louise McLeod

Emma Mordue, a historical musician, worked with Drake Primary School Choir, introducing them to traditional folk songs before teaching them a traditional East Anglian song. This was recorded and featured on all the podcasts.

Ancient House Museum provided the children with important historical knowledge of all the sites that were visited. Contributed a prize for the first people to complete the Riverside Trail.

Sandra Palazijute created an illustrated map for the trail.

BFER supported staff to map out a route along the river.

Drake Primary School - all pupils from the school participated in the project

Arts Lead at Drake - coordinated with local partners to create and publish the riverside trail

Radio producer at Drake - supported children to record their audio trail

Outcomes

Pupils

• had an opportunity to explore the human and physical features of their town becoming more familiar about the rivers that run through it.

• explored a new way to present information to others.

• had their work valued and shared with their community.

School staff

• collaborated with a range of local professionals while undertaking this project, strengthening working relationships and broadening expertise.

• discovered more about the locality in which they teach.

Families

• engaged with their children’s learning and with their locality.

Legacy

The Trail is still available for all families in Thetford to follow. The project has been a springboard for further Arts projects based on the rivers in Thetford.