Brooklands Museum
Brooklands Museum
Both motorsports and aviation are celebrated at the Brooklands Museum.
20 miles south west of central London, with its famous banked corners Brooklands was at the centre of British motorsport before the Second World War. It was the world's first purpose built motor racing circuit.
One of the most evocative names in British motorsport history, Brooklands Museum has a wide range of exhibits from both its motoring and aviation heritage.
Our Napier Railton is our "pride and joy" but we also have a Concorde which visitors can board.
Schools at Brooklands
We have been welcoming schools to Brooklands for over 15 years and over 10,000 children now visit the Museum in organised school parties every year. We have a team of experienced Volunteer Guides (all CRB checked) and an Education Centre that has ample space for activities and lunches.
Our mission is to create an enjoyable and inspiring learning experience, not only bringing to life eras such as World War Two and the 1930s, but also using the technological achievements of the site throughout the 20th Century to stimulate an interest in science and technology. Our youngest Primary School visitors are able to trace the development of transport over the last century through our collections of cars, aeroplanes and bicycles.
Brooklands Museum fits much of the National Curriculum and QCA Schemes of Work, and we ensure that our educational tours and other activities reinforce learning at school by liaising closely with teachers to meet their requirements.
What Can Primary Schools Do at Brooklands Museum?
Themed tours - the children are invited to consider the evidence of the collections and draw conclusions about the history, science and technology of Brooklands. Our trained guides enlighten and enthuse pupils with stimulating accounts of 100 years at Brooklands, inspiring them to discover more about the extensive history of the site and the famous names associated with it. Themes include:
Development of Transport - cars, bicycles, motorbikes, aeroplanes and buses over the last century;
Local History - featuring the change of land use at Brooklands, especially over the last 100 years;
Britain since 1930 - Brooklands was in its heyday in the 1930s, when it was ‘the right crowd and no crowding’ at the motor racing. Period room settings include an office and lounge in the Clubhouse, together with cars and aeroplanes of the era. Although motor racing stopped with the onset of World War Two, aircraft production continued on the site until the 1980s when major parts of Concorde were designed and built;
World War Two - featuring the importance of Brooklands as an aircraft factory during the war and including Wellington bomber and Hurricane fighter aircraft, Barnes Wallis bombs, air raid shelters, pill box and anti-aircraft tower;
Forces - from basic pushes and pulls and movement for KS1 to the forces in flight, such as thrust, weight, lift and air resistance for KS2;
Design Technology - how aeroplanes and cars have changed through the years.
We are happy to adapt these themes to your specific topics of study.
Concorde - Concorde will be included in school tours subject to operating constraints and there will be no extra charge for short educational visits on board. The full Concorde Experience (lasting 30 minutes) will be included if specifically requested, but there is an extra charge for this activity. A maximum of 6 primary children per adult may be booked.
World War Two Handling Sessions - an opportunity to handle gas masks, ration books, helmets and other day to day items from World War Two and also to talk to someone who lived during the war. Cost 50p per pupil.
Key Stage 1 Activity Room - groups can spend 20-30 minutes in the Activity Room during morning tours: giant TACTIC construction kit, dressing up, aeroplane cockpit, brass and tyre rubbings, colouring and an opportunity to ride our Penny Farthing.
Forces Show - 20-30 minutes of demonstrations on forces from basic pushes and pulls to more advances concepts such as air resistance and gravity for older groups.
Discovery@Brooklands - our hands-on science gallery, which includes exhibits on many Key Stage 1 and 2 science concepts. 20-30 minute sessions can be pre-booked and are included in both guided and self-led visits.
Key Stage 2 Test Hill Workshop - Test Hill was used for testing how powerful vehicles were in the days when motor racing took place at Brooklands. In this workshop children carry out experiments to learn about different forces and how they act on model cars on the three gradients on the hill. Pupils will see gravity and friction in action and results can be taken back to school for further analysis.
Worksheets and Trails
Find Bertie Bear (nursery and reception classes) - a trail of riddles encouraging young children to explore the Museum while looking for our mascot, Bertie Bear. Children will learn about the development of transport while doing this activity.
Aviation Detectives (Years 3-6) - students will develop their knowledge of the development of aviation history while exploring our aviation collection and memorabilia.
Forces Zone Passport (Years 4-6) - complete the six sections in the Wellington Hangar and the Motoring Village and collect passport stamps. Forces such as friction, air resistance, lift, gravity and thrust in real life situations.
Maths Trail (Years 5-6) - Bring maths to life - inclused area, symmetry and calculations around Brooklands
Sports Trail (Years 1-6) - place events in chronological order and learn about different features of society and sport through the years.
Below are some examples of what schools can expect during a typical group visit:
KEY STAGE 1 - “TRANSPORT VISIT ” (Can be adapted for Key Stage 2)
Morning - Tour + Activity Room
Afternoon - Discovery
KEY STAGE 2 - “FORCES VISIT”
Morning - Short tour + Forces Zone Passport
Afternoon - Forces Show + Discovery
WORLD WAR TWO VISIT
Morning - Tour + Handling session
Afternoon - Discovery
TEACHER’S GUIDE
For further information on costs and how to book please take a look at our Brooklands Museum Primary Schools Teacher’s Guide.