Learning Resources

Ouseburn Valley is a region often used to help facilitate learning at all levels, from primary school children to university students. We've collated some of the most popular learning materials which have been developed by the Ouseburn Trust, our volunteers and external contributors. If you have a specific request and think we can help, please get in touch.

Jump to the relevant section:

Regeneration

Heritage & history

Co-ordinating a day of learning in the Valley

Regeneration

Using Ouseburn as a regeneration case study

Arrange a guided walk of Ouseburn Valley to explore its heritage and regeneration
35 year Ouseburn Regeneration timeline
Ouseburn's 2003-2012 regeneration strategy
Ouseburn's 2012-2020 regeneration strategy
A map of Ouseburn's regeneration area
The history of the Ouseburn Trust (and its role in regeneration)
Ouseburn Valley News archive 2015-20
Davey Pearson photo archives - to illustrate what Ouseburn looked like in the past

Video and oral history

We hold a collection of recorded memories from local people who lived in Ouseburn and sheltered in the Vicrtoria Tunnel during WWII:

For a contemporary perspective, watch the Voices from the Ouseburn Valley video or explore the perspectives of people living in the Malings.

Resources developed specifically for Geography Studies

Liz Cowans, a former Geography teacher and Ouseburn Trust Heritage Volunteer, has developed a range of A-level resources:
- A presentation about the industrial background - T he Rise and Fall of the Ouseburn Valley
- An illustrated walk in Ouseburn 'Now and Then in Ouseburn Valley' (image-based presentation)
- A map of Ouseburn industries through the ages
The local Geographical Association branch has collated a range of materials, specifically for teachers and students using Ouseburn for fieldwork and as a case study for Changing Place in A level Geography.

Guided walks

We can arrange private Back to the Future guided walks which delve into the regeneration story of Ouseburn Valley. We can also offer more in-depth regeneration-themed walks for groups of university students or planners.

Interviews

For individual students seeking information for their research, we can offer a one-hour interview with either the former Regeneration Officer or the Trust's Chief Officer, depending on the subject of the research.

We invite a £20 donation for this, or alternatively a student may undertake two hours voluntary work improving the Ouseburn environment, usually on a Saturday morning. Please email us to arrange a suitable time and date for an interview.

Heritage and History

Learning in the Victoria Tunnel

The Victoria Tunnel offers a fascinating experience for children studying either the Victorian period or World War Two. We offer private school group visits to the Tunnel which can be developed around individual needs.

If you're interested in studying the Victoria Tunnel at any level and require some specific resources or details, get in touch.

Learn more about the Virtual Victoria Tunnel Experience for schools.

Download the brief history of the Victoria Tunnel (pdf)

Heritage learning for children

KS1 - Jenny's Journey is a learning package which explores the story of a young girl who grew up in the Ouseburn Valley. It explores learning around history, geography and science.
KS2 and KS3 - Who Killed Lizzie Dowson is a resource which explores the story of a girl who died of lead poisoning in 1891, aged 18.

Co-ordinate a day of learning in the Valley

In addition to our freely accessible resources, private walking tours and Victoria Tunnel visits, Ouseburn is filled with organisations which can provide an educational and entertaining experience. If you are coordinating activities outside the classroom, there are lots of things to do in Ouseburn for the whole family.

Our neighbouring organisations also offer excellent learning opportunities:

You can either arrange visits directly, or we can offer a number of packages that combine a visit to the Victoria Tunnel with other learning opportunities.