Wheal Martyn seeks to re-present the history of the Cornish China Clay industry from William Cookworthy’s historic discovery of china clay deposits in Cornwall to the ultra-modern pit operations which surround the museum today.  The China Clay Country Park is an important part of this living history and it has a wealth of resources available for schools to use.

The QCA National Schemes of Work have been adapted to reflect the impact of the Clay Industry on the surrounding communties and countryside and to utilise resources available at the Country Park.  The units of work, whilst devised for specific year groups can be easily adapted to suit individual class needs.  The Teaching Units available are:

“Cookworthy”

In this unit children learn about the life of William Cookworthy, founding father of the Cornish Clay Industry.  Through exploring his life, the children discover Cookworthy as both scientist and pioneer.  Children will also find out about the Cornish china clay industry, how the modern process of mining the china clay has both changed and remained remarkably similar to historic excavation methods and the importance of china clay to industry worldwide today.  They also have a chance to recreate a ‘Cookworthy pot’.

“On the Rocks”

Through its’ focus on the common rocks and minerals of Cornwall, including china clay, this teaching units delves into the very foundations of Kernow itself.  Through the unit, children discover the rock cycle; they find out how different rocks are formed and investigate how the characteristics of certain rocks are exploited for different purposes.

“Victorian Clay”

In this unit children investigate some of the ways the China Clay area changed during the Victorian era, and explore some of the reasons for those changes.  Children use the local area to explore characteristic features of Victorian times, how the area changed over time and the reasons for and results of these changes.  Children develop their sense of chronology, and ask and answer questions, from pictures and other information sources.

“Landscapes of Clay”

In this unit children explore the rural landscape of the clay country as a starting point for two or three-dimensional work.  The China Clay industry has had a dramatic impact on the landscape of the area, creating the distinctive ‘white alps’ of mid-Cornwall.  In addition the industry buildings themselves, the ruined engine houses and other related buildings would also provide a good starting point.

“China Clay Habitats”

Through the habitats created by the china clay industry, children will begin to understand the concept of a habitat, how it provides organisms found there with conditions for life and how animals depend on plants or other animals that eat plants for food.  Throughout the unit ways in which organisms are suited to the habitat are emphasised, especially in terms of woodland or pond habitats that can be studied at the China Clay Country Park.

“Clemo’s footprints”

Following in the footsteps of the poet Jack Clemo, who lived his whole live within the ‘clay country’, this teaching unit gives children the opportunity to reflect upon the china clay area and industry; what was it like working within the industry and the impact of the industry on the landscape.  The sequence of lesson ideas follow the theme of the china clay area, both landscape and industry.  It is intended that as the children work through the lessons that they gain inspiration from the images that accompany the unit as well as from visiting the China Clay Country Park itself.