South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
Photos of South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
What will students see and do?
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery celebrates the rich heritage of South Tyneside and the people who shaped it.
The museum is spread over two floors and tells the story of the borough’s social, industrial and maritime history from 4,000 years ago to the present day through a range of displays, exhibitions and nationally significant works of art.
On the ground floor of the museum, visitors can peruse a collection and treasures of South Tyneside. There’s also a creature corner, home to reptiles and insects. Up on the first floor, there’s an art gallery that holds regular exhibitions.
The building that the museum currently occupies has also had a long and interesting history – it was constructed in 1860 as a home for the South Shields Literary, Mechanical and Scientific Institution. In 1873, it became the town’s first free public library, before finally opening as a museum in 1876.
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery is dedicated to supporting all learners, including those who have special educational needs and disabilities. It offers a range of SEND workshops that encourage children to build their practical, visual and cognitive and communication skills, and there are resources on site that may help some children cope with the busy museum environment. If you would like to borrow these resources during your trip, simply let a member of staff know.
How does the trip link to the curriculum?
As a Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums centre, South Shields Museum & Art Gallery welcomes the opportunity to motivate and inspire pupils to get involved in their education, gain understanding and seek additional knowledge.
Students can take part in workshop activities that explore the rich heritage of the north east, including recreating the first lifeboat rescue, celebrating local heroes through portraiture, poetry, handling historical artefacts and more.
For those who prefer a self-led visit (possibly in conjunction with a workshop), the gallery can send pre-visit resources and advice on what’s on, as well as provide spaces in the museum to work and have a packed lunch.
The site also has a regularly changing exhibition programme that features many varying and interesting aspects of local history and curriculum-related topics.
Additionally, those who can’t make it to the site can enjoy an artefact loan service in their school and/or take part in virtual learning sessions. The Take One Treasure virtual session is a bespoke class that explores cross-curricular themes and subjects through a work of art and supporting objects from the collection.
Meanwhile, the Sensory Journeys digital story-telling sessions encourage younger students to create the sights, sounds, smells, touch and tastes that bring the stories to life. Simple ideas are given for using materials easily found at school or made at home, making it easy to take part.
Subjects covered
Teaching resources provided
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery has several activities on its website inspired by its museum collection. These can be completed at students’ own pace and enable them to focus on their creative process, develop their senses and try something new.
The activities include recreating museum objects in drawings, mixed media collages, poetry and prose; arranging images to create a story; and playing pretend with the painting Red Groyne by Sheila Graber.
Minimum and maximum group size
Varies depending on the workshop, but the maximum is typically 30 students.
Details of risk assessment
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery offers preliminary visits and a hazard identification sheet can be downloaded from the website.
Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment
Facilities On-Site
As well as the museum, there is a cafe called the Victorian Pantry that serves both hot and cold food and drinks, and a gift shop in the reception area selling books, souvenirs, small toys and South Shields merchandise.
Opening Times
Monday-Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 11am-4pm
Pricing
Entry and self-led visits: Free
Introductory talk or tour (30 minutes) followed by a self-led visit: £40
Facilitated workshops: £75 for one hour, £90 for one and a half hours
Travel arrangements
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery is located in the South Shields town centre on the pedestrianised part of Ocean Road.
The site doesn’t have a car park but coaches can drop off in the lay-by on Anderson Street or at nearby Mile End Road.
The museum is also less than a five-minute walk from South Shields Metro and bus station. If travelling by train, up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free with a fare-paying adult – see the website for details.
Address
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, Ocean Road, South Shields
NE33 2JA
Book your school trip to South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
For information on booking your school trip to this venue, click below.
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