CreatED: Rethinking Local history: Using Primary Sources with Confidence
Online
Wednesday 28th April 2027
Presented by North East Museums and Local History Hub
Programme Overview
CreatED: Rethinking Local History is a three-part CPD series exploring how local history can help pupils develop a deeper understanding of place, identity and community. Through contributions from teachers, academics, museum professionals and creative practitioners, participants will examine whose stories are told, how primary sources can support meaningful enquiry, and how local history can foster connection and belonging.
Session 2: Using Primary Sources with Confidence 28 April 2027 4-5pm
Speakers:
Leslie Palanker – North East Museums (South Shields Museum and Art Gallery)
Laura Moore – Harton Primary School
Liz Ferguson – North East Museums (Woodhorn Museum)
Discover practical approaches to working with objects, stories, local expertise and creative methodologies to bring historical enquiry to life for all learners.
Speaker Biographies:
Leslie is a Learning Coordinator at North East Museums, working across its museums, galleries and collections to develop and deliver engaging learning experiences.
She has extensive experience working with primary, secondary and early years children, families, SEND learners and adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Leslie is passionate about creating inclusive, creative learning opportunities that encourage people to play, explore, question, reflect and connect with museums and their collections.
She is particularly committed to reaching people who may face barriers to cultural engagement and believes everyone should have the opportunity not only to take part, but to contribute their own experiences, ideas and perspectives.
Before joining North East Museums, Leslie lived in Nice, France, where she led the Primary EAL Department at the International School of Nice for ten years, using the creative arts as an integral part of teaching and learning.
Leslie studied History of Art and holds an MA in Museum Studies. Earlier in her career, she also owned and ran a gallery in New York City, showcasing American and international outsider artists.
Laura is a teacher and History Co-ordinator at Harton Primary School. She studied at Newcastle University, achieving an MA in Archaeology of the Historic Periods. Before becoming a teacher, Laura worked at Beamish Museum and volunteered at Arbeia Roman Fort. She is also Youth Officer for the South Shields Local History Group.
Liz is a Learning Officer for North East Museums Northumberland venues, working with schools, families and home educators across the north of England. She has worked in STEM engagement for 19 years, 6 of these in museums, and has gained a broad range of experience during her career; from presenting science shows on stage to running a mobile planetarium, developing and delivering online and offline learning activities and completing a primary PGCE.
Session Info:
Hear how North East Museums uses sensory storytelling to make local history accessible and engaging. Discover simple ways to use sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touch to bring stories from the past to life for SEND, PMLD and diverse audiences.
Explore how partnering with local experts can support the teaching of local history in school. I will share practical examples of how we have used their expertise to improve our curriculum and deepen pupils’ understanding of their own community’s heritage.
Uncover the wealth of North East people, places and objects that have shaped our lives today, both regionally and nationally, through our STEM Heritage. Discover an online, interactive map to find local, real world examples of STEM history to give context to a broad range of curriculum subjects.
Programme Overview
CreatED: Rethinking Local History is a three-part CPD series exploring how local history can help pupils develop a deeper understanding of place, identity and community. Through contributions from teachers, academics, museum professionals and creative practitioners, participants will examine whose stories are told, how primary sources can support meaningful enquiry, and how local history can foster connection and belonging.
Session 2: Using Primary Sources with Confidence 28 April 2027 4-5pm
Speakers:
Leslie Palanker – North East Museums (South Shields Museum and Art Gallery)
Laura Moore – Harton Primary School
Liz Ferguson – North East Museums (Woodhorn Museum)
Discover practical approaches to working with objects, stories, local expertise and creative methodologies to bring historical enquiry to life for all learners.
Speaker Biographies:
Leslie is a Learning Coordinator at North East Museums, working across its museums, galleries and collections to develop and deliver engaging learning experiences.
She has extensive experience working with primary, secondary and early years children, families, SEND learners and adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Leslie is passionate about creating inclusive, creative learning opportunities that encourage people to play, explore, question, reflect and connect with museums and their collections.
She is particularly committed to reaching people who may face barriers to cultural engagement and believes everyone should have the opportunity not only to take part, but to contribute their own experiences, ideas and perspectives.
Before joining North East Museums, Leslie lived in Nice, France, where she led the Primary EAL Department at the International School of Nice for ten years, using the creative arts as an integral part of teaching and learning.
Leslie studied History of Art and holds an MA in Museum Studies. Earlier in her career, she also owned and ran a gallery in New York City, showcasing American and international outsider artists.
Laura is a teacher and History Co-ordinator at Harton Primary School. She studied at Newcastle University, achieving an MA in Archaeology of the Historic Periods. Before becoming a teacher, Laura worked at Beamish Museum and volunteered at Arbeia Roman Fort. She is also Youth Officer for the South Shields Local History Group.
Liz is a Learning Officer for North East Museums Northumberland venues, working with schools, families and home educators across the north of England. She has worked in STEM engagement for 19 years, 6 of these in museums, and has gained a broad range of experience during her career; from presenting science shows on stage to running a mobile planetarium, developing and delivering online and offline learning activities and completing a primary PGCE.
Session Info:
Hear how North East Museums uses sensory storytelling to make local history accessible and engaging. Discover simple ways to use sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touch to bring stories from the past to life for SEND, PMLD and diverse audiences.
Explore how partnering with local experts can support the teaching of local history in school. I will share practical examples of how we have used their expertise to improve our curriculum and deepen pupils’ understanding of their own community’s heritage.
Uncover the wealth of North East people, places and objects that have shaped our lives today, both regionally and nationally, through our STEM Heritage. Discover an online, interactive map to find local, real world examples of STEM history to give context to a broad range of curriculum subjects.
Price
Ticket price
£0.00
