Transformed Piece Hall will bring learning to life for pupils

It has undergone a massive £19m transformation, supported by Calderdale Council and with £7m from The National Lottery.

Since October 2016 the heritage and learning team at the historic Halifax landmark have been trialling workshops in local schools and booking is now open for students to experience the new facilities.

There are three ways schools can visit The Piece Hall, through curriculum-led half or full-day workshops, interactive tours led by the on-site team or through self-conducted visits with supporting resources.

Several different workshops and tours have been developed, each tailored to the national curriculum.

They range from ‘We’re going on a cloth hunt’ for Early Years and Key Stage 1, where pupils will be introduced to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects by understanding the cloth making process, through to Key Stage 4 geography field trips where students can look at the local and global impact of The Piece Hall’s regeneration.

Two on-site learning studios also provide flexible spaces for classroom based learning and workshops, where equipment has been donated by the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation.

Helen Moore, heritage and learning Manager for The Piece Hall Trust said: “There is no- where like The Piece Hall and it was imperative to us that we got that across to students.

“The Piece Hall’s fascinating story is a vital part of our history, helping us understand our place in the world both past and present.

“The response from teachers and young people alike has been entirely positive with many excited to visit for the first time or return to the building in September, some young people have even asked their parents to bring them when we re-open in August.”

Schools are encouraged to book early for the Autumn 2017 term. The first groups to book will be offered a free taster workshop at The Piece Hall during the current summer term – before it officially opens to the public.

On July 4, a preview event is being held for teachers from Calderdale schools when they can see first-hand the transformed Piece Hall and preview the learning programme.

Pictures by Paul Railton.