This November, Bourne Hall Museum invited Ewell Grove Primary and Nursery School to spend a day in Bourne Hall Museum as part of a national Kids in Museums Takeover Day event. This project sits within Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy which aims to increase access to art, culture and heritage within the borough, as well as nurturing local, creative talent. Students from Ewell Grove took part in activities which gave them an insight into what it would be like to work in a museum.

Supported by Arts Council England, Kids in Museums has held an annual digital takeover since 2014. Kids in Museums was established to help historic institutions empower young people and give them meaningful roles in their organisations. Over 5,000 people, from toddlers to 25-year-olds, now take part each year!

This year the theme is ‘Careers’ and as part of the ‘takeover’, Ewell Grove students experienced what it would be like to be a Curator and an Exhibition Officer for the day. Students took part in a treasure hunt which helped them understand the importance of labels in museums and designed posters to encourage people to visit the museum.

“As part of our Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy, we are committed to nurturing creative talent and increasing access to resources and opportunities within our Borough,” says Councillor Clive Woodbridge, Chair of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Community and Wellbeing Committee. “The campaign aims to inspire children from all parts of our community who may be interested in a career in the museum sector and this takeover day was rich with learning opportunities.”

Speaking about the takeover, students from Ewell Grove Primary and Nursery School said,

“My favourite part of the day was looking at the brilliant history of Epsom and Ewell with my friends.”

"My favourite part of the day was visiting and exploring Bourne Hall Museum.

"I really enjoyed seeing the gas mask and the air raid siren!”

A spokesperson from Ewell Grove Primary and Nursery School added,

“What a great experience we had, visiting Bourne Hall museum and becoming museum curators and exhibition designers for the morning. Our Year 5 children explored the artefacts with great enthusiasm and keen interest, with many of them saying they didn't realise that museums could be so much fun. The children were incredibly proud to see their exhibition posters on display and have enjoyed encouraging their family and friends to pop in and take a look.”

You can follow the conversation on social media by looking at the hashtag #TakeoverDay and following @KidsInMuseums.