Local school children, whose schools were impacted by Storm Eowyn have been given a free visit to a local museum
Following the severe impact of Storm Eowyn, three local schools – Jericho Primary School, Mayfield School and St Benedict’s Catholic High School – were forced to close due to damage. In response, The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven stepped forward to support students by offering free entry last Friday (31 January) providing them with an opportunity to continue their learning in a dynamic and interactive environment.
Recognising the potential for prolonged school closures, the museum opened its doors to affected children and young people, enabling them to explore exhibits, engage in hands-on learning, and reconnect with their peers during this challenging time. The initiative was well received by local headteachers, staff, and the wider community with 237 attendees from across the 3 affected schools.
Emma Jackson, Headteacher at St Benedict’s, expressed her appreciation, stating:
“This was a very generous offer from The Beacon for our students who were having an unusual week at home. We are pleased so many took the opportunity to enhance their home learning by visiting the museum. Extracurricular activities such as this are an important part of students’ studies, and it was great that they got to experience this for free!”
Owned and managed by Cumberland Council, The Beacon Museum is currently exhibiting ‘Inspired By Industry’, a captivating new art exhibition featuring powerful artist depictions of West Cumbria’s industrial heritage including 11 previously unseen works by Percy Kelly.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“At a time when young people’s education is being disrupted, it is inspiring to see the staff at The Beacon Museum stepping up to provide meaningful learning experiences. We are pleased so many took the opportunity to visit the museum.”
As Jericho School remains closed, The Beacon Museum will once again open its doors to its pupils this Friday (February 7). This will provide another opportunity for students to engage with the museum’s exhibits and continue their learning outside of the classroom.
Looking ahead, The Beacon Museum is exploring additional opportunities to collaborate with schools and provide educational outreach programs. The museum remains committed to supporting local education and providing enriching experiences for young learners, especially during times of disruption.