School Trip information to the Charles Dickens Birthplace

Once upon a time in Portsmouth,
a son called Charles was born to John and Elizabeth Dickens. He was born in 1812 during the time of the Napoleonic Wars.
Twenty-five years later he was to publish his first novel, an immediate success which launched his career.

Information for Schools

Charles Dickens was born in this house in 1812 and lived there for the first few months of his life. The house has been extensively restored and is decorated and furnished in the Regency style appropriate to his parents John and Elizabeth Dickens.

There are three furnished rooms: the parlour; the dining room and the bedroom where Charles was born. A small exhibition room shows a range of prints illustrating the works of Charles Dickens and a number of personal items are also on display, together with the couch on which he died. Information available in 10 languages.

Additional educational advice is available from the Education Officer on Portsmouth +44 (0)23 9282 7261.

Bookings may be made online.

National Curriculum and Resources

The Birthplace is suitable for a wide range of National Curriculum work and a Resource Pack for KS1 and 2 is available for loan.

Teacher's Resource Pack -
Conditions of Loan

Teacher's Resource Packs are available FREE OF CHARGE to any school booking a visit to the City Museum and Records Office.

Packs may be borrowed for half a term and can be picked up from The City Museum & Records Office just prior to the beginning of the half term for which it is required.

Borrowers will be advised of the dates for collection and return when the pack reservation is confirmed.

For schools unable to pick up their packs in person we offer a postal service. Schools will be invoiced for postage and insurance costs when the pack is dispatched.

Teacher's Resource Pack (Key Stage 2)

This Resource Pack has been collated to aid teachers planning activities across the curriculum.

The changes in curriculum coverage brought about by the introduction of the Literacy and Numeracy hours has resulted in less time being available to spend on non-core subjects.

By visiting Charles Dickens Birthplace and using the suggestions offered in the Teacher's Resource Pack a broad and balanced curriculum can be achieved through just one stimulating excursion.

Ideas for Coverage of a
Broad and Balanced Curriculum

English
Read and understand a range of texts - the story of the house and extracts from Dickens' novels. Be able to distinguish between fact and fiction. Be able to identify types of texts by looking at their content, structure, vocabulary, layout and purpose.

Geography
Look at maps. Investigate places and scales. Focus on geographical questions. Where is it? What is it like? How and why has it changed?

Mathematics
By looking at the house, its locality and its contents classify 2-D and 3-D shapes. Understand the properties of reflective symmetry and tessellation. Collect, interpret and represent data.

Art
Identify different materials and methods used by artists and craftspeople. Recognise the ways in which art, craft and design reflect the time and place in which they were made. Express ideas and opinions using the correct vocabulary.

History
Look at a middle class house trapped in a time warp.
-Artefacts (building and contents) during a visit to the museum or within the classroom using the School Loans Service.
By using Primary Source Material each key element of the National Curriculum can be covered.
It is possible to find out who lived in the house throughout Queen Victoria's reign and research the history of the Pearce family.
-Documents and Printed Source Material.
Rate Books
Census Returns
Parish Records of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials
Wills and Abstracts of Title
Kelly's Directory
Lists of Burgesses etc.

Technology
Investigate and evaluate products, the resources and techniques.

Resource Pack Contents

3 Booklets with texts and suggestions for work on site and in school.
Curriculum Booklet - How to use the information contained in the pack to fulfil curriculum requirements relating to Primary Source Material.
Text Booklet (1) - The story of the house from construction to present day.
Text Booklet (2) - Charles Dickens - his life, his work and his family

Primary Evidence
Maps - Portsea 1716 to present day
Original Census Returns - who lived in the house in Victorian times.
Census Returns (2) - transcripts of originals.
Rate Books - information on who owned the property and its worth.
Parish Registers - tracing family history of occupants of the house.
Burgess Rolls & Street Directories - find out about the neighbours.
Documents relating to the Sale of the House 1903 - these include: Indentures, Abstract of Title, Auction brochure, plans & maps.
Newspaper Cuttings - relating to the death of Charles Dickens.

For further information please contact us or

Tel: +44 (0)23 9282 7261 Fax: +44 (0)23 9287 5276

Reserving Teacher's Resource Pack

You can reserve a Teachers Resource Pack by writing to us.
Or you can place a reservation now on-line.

Booking a Group Visit

For all enquiries and group visits please telephone Visitor Services direct line +44 (0)23 9229 6905. (An answering machine is available to leave a message at any time of day when staff are not in the office) or you can book no on-line.

Length of Stay and Group Sizes

The typical visit time is 20 - 30 minutes per 12-5 people. Because the house is very small, the maximum recommended number arriving in a group at any one time should not exceed 30. We will then admit 12-15 in at a time. A teacher/pupil ratio of at least 1:10 is essential. (When school groups are in the museum, the behaviour of the children or students is the responsibility of the teacher in charge).

Payment

No admission charge is made for UK schools booked in advance. Payment for other groups is made on the day of your visit. Cheques payable to 'Portsmouth City Council', Credit cards: MasterCard or Visa.