School & Education
Overview of the Lessons We Offer
No Ordinary Museum delivers engaging, curriculum-aligned lessons that bring history and culture to life. Our sessions are interactive, inclusive, and designed to support learning across Early Years, Primary, and Secondary education.
We specialise in embedding Black history naturally into topics schools are already teaching, ensuring learning feels relevant, balanced, and meaningful. Lessons are carefully adapted to suit the age, ability, and needs of each group, including SEN and alternative provision.
All sessions combine storytelling, discussion, hands-on activities, and critical thinking, helping pupils to build confidence, curiosity, empathy, and a deeper understanding of history.
Lessons can be delivered:
- At the museum
- In schools
- Remotely / digitally
How We Collaborate with School
We work closely with schools to create bespoke learning experiences that align directly with their curriculum plans. Collaboration usually begins with a conversation where schools share the topics they are teaching during the term or academic year.
Using this information, we:
- Match sessions precisely to curriculum objectives
- Adapt content to key stages and learning outcomes
- Embed Black history seamlessly into existing topics
- Offer cross-curricular links where appropriate
Schools are encouraged to share their curriculum in advance, allowing us to design sessions that support classroom learning before, during, and after the visit.
We aim to build long-term relationships with schools, offering ongoing support rather than one-off visits. This may include repeat sessions, themed workshops, in-school delivery, or collaborative projects.
SMSC at No Ordinary Museum
Supporting Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Development Through History
No Ordinary Museum supports schools in delivering high-quality SMSC provision through inclusive, curriculum-aligned history and PSHE
learning.
Our programmes use real historical examples from the wider world from Africa, Early Islamic Civilisations and the wider world, to help pupils
develop character, understanding, and respect alongside academic knowledge.
Spiritual Development
We encourage pupils to:
Reflect on values such as fairness, purpose, and learning
Understand how beliefs and values influence actions
Develop confidence in their own sense of worth and identity
MORAL DEVELOPMENT
We support pupils to: Understand right and wrong Explore fairness, justice, and responsibility Consider ethical decision-making in real-life contexts Example in our programme: Pupils discuss how Mansa Musa used wealth responsibly by investing in education, libraries, and communities.
Social Development
We help pupils to: Engage respectfully in discussion Work collaboratively Understand their role within a community In practice: Lessons include structured discussion, reflection activities, and citizenship-focused questions that promote empathy and cooperation.
Cultural Development
We enable pupils to:Learn about diverse cultures and histories Respect differences and challenge stereotypes Understand Britain’s historical links to the wider world Example in our programme: Pupils explore Timbuktu as a global centre of learning, showing Africa and the Islamic world as leaders in education and scholarship.