Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale wears a lace collar and a lace headpiece.
Florence Nightingale, circa 1860

Morning: Session One (before morning break):

  • The History Off the Page leader will speak to the children ‘in role’ as Florence Nightingale in 1854.
  • Making Activities: Florence Nightingale will ask the children to help make various items, which will need to be used in the hospital, personal items for the nurses, together with other items which are to be sold to raise funds for the War Effort: Candle holders, pill boxes, uniform brassards, diaries, lockets etc.

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Session two [after morning break]:

  • The children will assist Miss Nightingale to investigate lost luggage belonging to important people who are accompanying her to Scutari.

Afternoon Session

  • Role-play: running the hospital, cleaning, counselling, bandaging, cooking etc.

The children will be organised into groups for the role-play as: soldiers, nursing staff, army doctors, medical orderlies, kitchen staff, gardeners, laundry workers and reporters.

To conclude the day, Florence will speak to the children as though at the end of her life.

LEARN ABOUT BOTH FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE AND MARY SEACOLE WITH OUR VIRTUAL WORKSHOP

 

How You Contribute to the Day

To make the most of your children’s day, please help us with the following:

  • Adult helpers: The number of children participating determines how many work stations our Teacher brings. Please recruit a corresponding number of adults (teachers, TAs, parents) to oversee the activities and the afternoon session. (Your booking form lists the exact number needed.)
  • The school hall: Please reserve the school hall for the full day (it is not a problem if it is used for lunch).
  • Costumes: Please encourage the children to dress up in simple costumes. It helps them feel the part.

Please note that we still require adult helpers for in-school days. If this conflicts with your schools coronavirus policies, please let us know — a virtual workshop might be a better option for your school.

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What to Wear

Costumes need not be complicated — we suggest the following “homemade” alternatives:

  • Boys: Either short trousers and long socks, or long trousers/track suit bottoms tucked into long socks. A collar-less shirt (cut the collar off an old one!) A waistcoat and /or a cap could also be worn.
  • Girls: Either a long dress nipped in at the waist, or a long skirt and a blouse. A white apron or a smock could also be worn. A mob cap or a hat and a shawl would complete the look.

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR VIRTUAL WORKSHOP HAS MOVED — SEE OUR VIRTUAL WORKSHOP HERE

 

Photos of the In-School Day: