KS4 students from Mayfield School have been exploring the fascinating history behind Whitehaven’s street names through the ‘Street Life’ project, in partnership with the Beacon Museum. With guidance from Alan Gillon, Learning and Exhibition Engagement Manager at The Beacon, students have researched and discovered how the names of local streets were influenced by historical events, industrial growth, and cultural shifts.
The project provided students with a practical and visual approach to learning about Whitehaven’s past. By exploring artefacts, historical sites, and industrial landmarks, they gained a deeper understanding of how the town’s landscape and its streets have evolved over time. This experience sparked meaningful discussions and fostered a greater appreciation for the town’s history.
In addition to exploring local history, students developed valuable work experience by taking on the role of tour guides. Through research and public speaking, they presented their findings and built their confidence in engaging with others. This aspect of the project had a profound impact on the students, with many becoming more socially interactive, confident, and focused.
The project also featured a creative element, where students created pop art representations of iconic images from Whitehaven’s past using felt tips and newspapers. These vibrant pieces showcased the area’s street life and the industrial revolution’s impact. Students also collaborated on building a 3D model of Whitehaven Harbour, recreating key artefacts from the town’s industrial history. They arranged these artefacts within a timeline, highlighting the harbour’s role in the region’s economy through its import and export activities.
The project culminated in an exhibition at The Beacon, where the community had the opportunity to view the students’ impressive work and gain a fresh perspective on Whitehaven’s rich history.
Alan Gillon, Learning and Exhibition Engagement Manager from The Beacon Museum said: “The Street Life project has been invaluable for the KS4 pupils development, I am so proud of what they have all achieved over the past three months. Working in partnership with Mayfield School and Lynn Kelly has demonstrated the strengths of community engagement. The exhibition which the pupils have created is fantastic and their individual development as tour guides has been overwhelming, this has been a brilliant and rewarding journey for everyone involved”.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said: ““It’s wonderful to see the students of Mayfield School working alongside The Beacon Museum to explore Whitehaven’s rich heritage in such a creative and hands-on way. The students have not only deepened their understanding of Whitehaven’s rich history but also gained practical skills that will serve them well in the future. I commend everyone involved in making the Street Life project such a success.”