Education and outreach

Plymouth and West Devon Record Office employs a Learning Officer who carries out a wide variety of activities to promote the Record Office and encourage the people to connect with its archival heritage.

The Learning Officer, employed under the Department of Culture Media and Sport's 'Renaissance in the Regions' programme, works closely with colleagues at the City Museum and Art Gallery to deliver services to schools, community groups and any other interested parties via the Museum in Transit service.

The Learning Officer is based at the Record Office, but is happy to make arrangements to visit schools and community groups at a venue of their choice. Services include the provision of schools resource packs relating to historical events closely associated with Plymouth and the surrounding area such as:

• the Spanish Armada
• the abolition of the Transatlantic slave trade
• World War Two and the Blitz

All materials are linked to the Key Stages of the National Curriculum and can be supplied in either hard copy format or electronically on disc. The first of pack is now available on our education packs page.

Group visits

We can accommodate up to fifteen people on a Monday (when we are closed to the public). Visits are designed to explain the function and processes of the Record Office, to show what goes on 'behind the scenes' and to encourage use of the archives for research, leisure and study.

Talks

The Learning Officer is happy to visit groups in a venue of their choice to talk on the work undertaken by the Record Office and its future plans. Talks will normally last about an hour.

Oral history recording

We are keen to collect the reminiscences of Plymothians about their time in the city - their education, employment, leisure and cultural activities. If you feel you would like to contribute to this programme and would be prepared to give up a couple of hours for the purposes of an interview, please contact the Learning Officer.

If you are interested in any of the above activities, or would simply like to learn more about the education and outreach opportunities, please contact the Learning Officer on 01752 258733 or email us.