Derek Sharman of Time to Explore was engaged as project manager for the Challenging History Project run by the Learning Arc and funded by Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
Learning Arc is a partnership of seven archives in the North East who offer high quality resources and activities to schools. The partners are: Berwick-upon-Tweed Record Office, Durham County Record Office, Durham University Special Collections, Newcastle University Special Collections, Northumberland Archives at Woodhorn, Teesside Archives and Tyne and Wear Archives.
Challenging History used drama to explore the issues surrounding some controversial interpretations of past events. It aimed to engage school age children and young people, the local communities, volunteers and archive education specialists with archive material to explore a range of controversial issues.
The objectives of the project were to:
Facilitate access to archives by using the medium of drama to inspire the children and young people to engage more fully with their local heritage.
Demonstrate that archives can be used to study conflicting views and develop critical thinking skills
Demonstrate that archives can be used to develop a creative curriculum
Develop a greater appreciation of the role that archives play in the protection, preservation and promotion of local history and heritage
Establish long lasting partnerships with schools and their local community
Produce a permanent online resource highlighting methodology and demonstrating resources so that other schools can develop their own project.
