Museum Learning Inspires Curiosity Through History, Culture, Research and Discovery

This term has been another exciting one for Museum Learning, with students engaging in a variety of projects that have encouraged curiosity, critical thinking and a deeper appreciation of history, culture and community. Through exhibitions, research and special events, students have explored how museums help us understand the world around us and connect with the stories that shape our society.

Slough Jets Ice Hockey Exhibition

We were delighted to welcome members of the Slough Jets Ice Hockey Team to our recent Ice Hockey Exhibition. The exhibition provided students with a unique opportunity to learn more about the history, achievements and community impact of one of the region's most successful sporting organisations.

The exhibition was made possible through the generosity of the Slough Jets, their supporters and the wider hockey community, who contributed artefacts, memorabilia and information to help bring the display to life.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved and congratulate the Slough Jets on what has been a fantastic season on the ice.

Exploring the Influence of Punk Music

Year 12 students in HT4 have been developing their research skills through an engaging enquiry project exploring the question: How did Punk music influence society?

Throughout the project, students have strengthened their critical thinking, analytical and evaluative skills while learning how to conduct independent academic research. To investigate the topic, students have:

• Listened to music from early Punk bands
• Explored original fanzines and fan publications
• Examined archive photographs showcasing Punk fashion and culture
• Developed their understanding of referencing and source attribution
• Analysed academic articles and historical evidence

Drawing together these sources, students produced written responses evaluating the wider social, cultural and political impact of the Punk movement. The project has provided an excellent introduction to the research and analytical skills required for further study.

Celebrating International Museum Day

This term also saw the Academy celebrate International Museum Day through a special focus on our Academy House Exhibition.

During assemblies, students were introduced to the "Adopt an Object" exhibition, a permanent display that showcases a carefully selected object representing each of the six Academy Houses and the values they embody.

The exhibition encourages students to consider how objects can tell stories, represent shared values and help preserve important aspects of our school community and culture. It also highlights the important role museums play in protecting and interpreting objects that help us understand people, places and ideas from the past and present.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Museum Learning continues to provide students with opportunities to investigate real-world questions, engage with authentic historical sources and develop valuable research skills. Whether analysing the impact of cultural movements, exploring sporting heritage or celebrating the significance of meaningful objects, students are learning how evidence, interpretation and storytelling help shape our understanding of the world.

We look forward to continuing these exciting opportunities and sharing more Museum Learning experiences in the months ahead.

Adopt an Object: Bringing Academy Values to Life

As part of our International Museum Day celebrations, students were introduced to our permanent "Adopt an Object" exhibition, which connects each Academy House to an object that reflects its core value.

Each carefully selected object encourages students to explore how artefacts can tell stories, communicate ideas and represent values that remain relevant today.

The six Academy House objects are:

• Herschel – Inquiry
Chris Gollon's artwork commemorates 100 years since Albert Einstein presented his Theory of Relativity and introduced the concept of space-time, celebrating curiosity, discovery and the pursuit of knowledge.

• Kumar – Creativity
Chila Burman's Neon Dream sign forms part of a larger installation inspired by Hindu mythology and Bollywood glamour, showcasing imagination, artistic expression and creative thinking.

• Arbib – Sustainability
The Acheulean Handaxe demonstrates how prehistoric tools were designed to last. Durable and adaptable, it could be reshaped, sharpened and reused many times, reflecting sustainable practices that remain relevant today.

• Holmes – Sportsmanship
The volunteer jacket and hat from the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games celebrate the essential role volunteers play in making sporting events possible, from grassroots participation to international competition.

• Nash – Humanitarianism
The Cherry Orchard by Paul Nash explores themes of war, loss and humanity. Through his work, Nash challenged people's perceptions of conflict and encouraged reflection on humanity's impact on the world.

• Simmons – Internationalism
This vibrant carnival headdress was created by Sunshine International Arts, a Brixton-based organisation renowned for producing costumes for the Notting Hill Carnival and other major cultural events. The piece celebrates international heritage while maintaining strong local community connections.

Each object helps students understand how museums preserve not only physical artefacts but also the values, stories and experiences that shape society.

Coming Soon: A Look into the Mind

The Museum Learning team has been hard at work preparing our next exhibition, which will focus on psychology – the scientific study of the mind and behaviour.

The exhibition will explore one of the most fascinating questions in human history: Why do we behave the way we do?

Since psychology became a recognised discipline in 1879, researchers have developed a range of theories and approaches to help explain human thoughts, emotions and behaviour. Through this new exhibition, students will discover how different psychological perspectives can be applied to real-life case studies and gain insight into the ways psychologists seek to understand the human mind.

More details will be revealed over the coming weeks, and we look forward to welcoming students to another engaging and thought-provoking Museum Learning experience.