Education Pack for School Visits
In order to inform and educate visitors to the mill it was decided to put together an education pack. This consists of an assortment of crosswords, word searches, annotated diagrams and tasks covering aspects of science, mathematics, local history and geography.
Initially aimed at Key Stage 2 students (years 5 & 6) from primary schools it is hoped that with time this can be further developed for Key Stage 3 Lower Secondary school students (years 7 to 9) and if successful, even Key Stage 4 Examination Groups.
The Pack can be aimed at work on site at the mill with students already having been briefed back at school as to what tasks will be carried out. This entails hopefully a pre-visit by staff where a pack can be purchased for a small fee and visit volunteers can get to understand the needs of the visit, whether that be local history, science based or a mixture of subjects.
The Pack includes not just worksheets but answer sheets as wee as diagrams and sketches for annotation as well as a Glossary of Milling Terms and the ‘Working of a Lock’.
A visit entails a tout of the Engine Room, Spout Floor (Hurst Machine on ground floor, Stone Floor and the various outside remnants of the mill which were destroyed in the fire of 1875, not least of which is the very rare ‘Elephant Boiler’. Within the Engine Room a working demonstration will be given of the Wentworth Beam Engine whilst on the Spot Floor the drive from the Engine Room will be seen working the Hurst Mechanism. At present no working stones are in place on the Stone Floor but an excellent model has been constructed to illustrate the working of the stones in Grinding wheat into flour. It should be noted that access to the Stone Floor entails climbing a steep wooden stair.
It is envisaged that school groups are no larger than 30 so that a class could be sub-divided into groups of 5 to 6 students in order to facilitate easy and safe movement around the site being each led by an experienced volunteer together with a member of school staff. It is suggested that a visit should not exceed a period of 2 hours and this will include a break for refreshments. Visit leaders of all groups will be made aware of the limited toilet facilities and where to park. Students should come equipped with writing materials and suitable outdoor clothing.
Other groups visiting such as Adult Interest groups can also use the material from the packs but this can easily be facilitated on the day.
It is our intention at present to offer free visits in the hope that this will further promote Beeleigh Mill as a Heritage Site venue worthy of visiting and raise its profile within the context of Maldon’s Industrial past.
Pack Downloads
For Students
Pack A – Spout Room
Pack B – Stone Floor
Pack C – Engine Room
Pack D – Miscellaneous Tasks
For Teachers
Pack A – Spout Room
Pack B – Stone Floor
Pack C – Engine Room
Pack D – Miscellaneous Tasks