Lesson B1: A photo-walk around the workhouse site

By Sue Carter and Gail Brown, Redhills Primary
Photo:The old workhouse buildings are quite hidden from the from street.
Photo:Turn the corner and you see the imposing main entrance.
Photo:What might be missing from here?
Photo:The building has three main 'wings' like spokes in a wheel.
Photo:What do you think the buildings are used for now? There's a clue in this photo.
Photo:All three wings look very similar.
Photo:There's still a high wall along this side of the old buildings.
Photo:Look at this little peephole onto the street, set in the high old wall.

Here are some photos of the workhouse buildings in 2008.

Click on any image above for a larger version 

Arrange to walk around the special building taking more pictures. Children can discuss what they notice and also sketch interesting features of the buildings.

Line drawing can be a great way to make a record of a building. Here is a drawing by a lady who lives in St Thomas to give children some ideas. She looks really carefully at the features. Each child could draw a different detail.

Photo:Detailed drawing of a doorway in St Thomas.

Detailed drawing of a doorway in St Thomas.

By Margaret Abercrombie 2008, ink and pencil on paper © the artist.

Photo:Children observe the St Thomas Union workhouse building

Children observe the St Thomas Union workhouse building

Redhills Community Primary School

Here are some drawings by children at Redhills which they made sitting in front of the workhouse.

Photo:A sketch of Flats 1 to 11

A sketch of Flats 1 to 11

By a Year 3 pupil at Redhills Primary

Photo:A sketch of the building facade

A sketch of the building facade

By a Year 3 pupil at Redhills Primary

This gallery was added by Sarah, Curator of West Exe on 03/06/2008.

Comments about this page

Children who enjoy sketching might like to see more of these architectural drawings made in St Thomas. They're on this website, in the Gallery: Margaret Abercrombie's drawings.

By Sarah, Curator of West Exe
On 17/06/2008

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