School's Information

The main feature of the D-Day Museum is the magnificent Overlord Embroidery that tells the story of the Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944, just as 900 years earlier the story of William the Conqueror's invasion of England was told in the Bayeux Tapestry. The Overlord Embroidery was designed by Sandra Lawrence and made by 20 women from the Royal School of Needlework over a period of 5 years. The Embroidery is made in 34 panels (each 8ft long by 3ft high) and tells the complete story of the D-Day operation, from the planning and preparation of the invasion to victory in the Battle of Normandy in August 1944. A 30 minute Soundguide commentary (in English, French or German) on the Embroidery is available at a small additional charge.

An archive film show with commentaries in English, French, German, Dutch and Spanish gives vivid background information and the displays showing the preparation and personnel involved in the Normandy Landings all add to the experience, giving a full and rounded appreciation of the events leading up to D-Day.

The style of presentation is very lively with audio-visuals, sound effects and several reconstructed scenes. These include a 1940's dining room, an air-raid shelter, a factory scene, an invasion preparation area and the D-Day control room at Southwick House. Walk through a Dakota aircraft during a parachute drop followed by a scene of a crashed Horsa Glider unloading a Jeep. Then inside a German bunker to see the invasion fleet approaching and onto the landing beaches and board a genuine landing craft.

National Curriculum and Resources

The D-Day Museum is suitable for a wide range of National Curriculum work and a Resource Pack for KS1 and 2 is available for loan.

History KS 2 SU 3b - Britain since the 1930's
KS 3 SU 4 - 20th Century World

As part of the National Curriculum Study Unit: 'Britain since the 1930's' we can offer your group a special handling and role play session on 'The Home Front' when you book your visit to the D-Day Museum and Overlord Embroidery. These handling sessions are chargeable and available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays only from the October half-term break through to the February half-term break and will last approximately one hour on top of your normal visit time in the museum. Further details on all educational materials are available from the Visitor Services Officer and additional educational advice is available from the Education Officer on Portsmouth +44 (0)23 9282 7261

A Broad and Balanced Approach to the Curriculum

English
Word - Sentence - Text
39 Texts using all forms of writing looking at life at home and in the Armed Forces.
Informative (formal - informal)
Persuasive
Entertaining
Emotional (letters)
Drama c/c PSE - role play - evacuation
c/c Music - contemporary song lyrics

Mathematics
Numbers 1 to 60,000,000.
Numbers seen on the Overlord Embroidery.
Numbers in the war.

Science and Technology
'Necessity is the Mother of Invention'.
Appreciation of the role of invention in warfare.

PSE
Being evacuated
Fear
Friendship.

Food Technology
Recipe Pack for cooking with the wartime rations.

Art Craft, Design
Appreciate the work of artists and craftspeople.
Design and make.

Music
To recognise how music is affected by time, including the intentions of the composer.
Read and learn the songs to consider lyrics, melody and rhythm.

Geography
Maps of D-Day. Pictures of the beaches.

History
Study unit - Britain since the 1930's.
Britain at war and the lives of people at home.
Key elements.
Historical enquiry.
Extend range and depth of knowledge.
Interpret Knowledge.
Order (chronology).
Record in a variety of ways.
Texts (50+) to give information - pieces of the historical puzzle.
The Home Front Educational Talk - with artefacts.

Teacher's Resource Pack - Conditions of Loan

Teacher's Resource Packs are available FREE OF CHARGE to any school booking a visit to the D-Day Museum & Overlord Embroidery 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 the D-Day Museum and Overlord Embroidery and using the suggestions offered in the Teacher's Resource Pack a broad and balanced curriculum can be achieved through just one stimulating excursion.

Resource Pack Contents

3 Booklets containing archive material and information.
Curriculum Booklet - with ideas for work in the classroom.
The Home Front - Texts and Documents relative to the Home Front.
At War - Texts and Documents relating to Portsmouth during WWII.

Postcard Pack - set of 34 postcards showing each panel of the Embroidery.
Overlord Embroidery Booklet - telling the story of the Embroidery.
The War - the story of WWII as told on the Overlord Embroidery.
The D-Day Museum Brochure - a guide to the exhibits and displays.
Preparing for War - a selection of contemporary photographs and ephemera.
Song Sheets - Words to wartime songs.
Eye witness accounts - transcripts of oral histories.
Little Billy Brown of London Town - an evacuation story written c. 1940
Living in Wartime Britain - pamphlets, newspaper extracts and posters.

For further information please contact us:

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

Reserve a 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, resource pack requests, Home Front sessions 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 now on-line.

Length of Stay and Group Sizes

The typical visit time by a group is 1½ -2 hours. The recommended maximum number arriving at any one time is 60. (When school groups are in the museum, the behaviour of the children or students is the responsibility of the teacher in charge).

Payment

Payment for your group booking is made on the day of your visit. Cheques payable to 'Portsmouth City Council', Charge cards: Delta or Switch. Credit cards: MasterCard or Visa.