Year 5 Carlton Primary Academy Takeover Day at Cannon Hall 

As part of the Festival of Joy, Fusion partnered with Barnsley Museums Learning Team and took part in the Kids in Museums’ Takeover Day. For one day only, Cannon Hall Museum, Park & Gardens was in the hands of 41 Year 5 pupils from Carlton Primary Academy. 

The pupils visited Cannon Hall at the start of November where they were trained by staff in the following roles: Front of House, Gallery Attendant, Gardener, Learning Assistant, Marketing, Communications and Evaluation.  

In preparation for the day, pupils worked in school on scripts they would need in their roles and created posters and social media posts to promote the event. Their teachers commented on the impressive levels of dedication and responsibility they showed as they practised their tasks for the day with the Learning Team and Fusion’s Co-ordinator. 

On Takeover Day the children spent time experiencing all of the roles, from welcoming visitors to sharing stories written in response to objects in Cannon Hall’s Ceramics Gallery. The children took over Barnsley Museum’s social media accounts and Museum Directors took turns showing VIP visitors round the Hall including the Young Mayor and colleagues from ACE, Children’s Services and BMBC’s Group Leader for Museums and Heritage as well as the Head of Culture and Visitor Economy. 

Takeover Day supports Fusion’s work to embed opportunities for children at primary level to explore Creative Careers across the partnership in order to raise aspiration, encourage progression and develop transferable skills through creativity.  

“A great welcome at Cannon Hall today by William’s group. The children told me what was happening at the Hall today and encouraged me to make a donation and look in the shop! Well done everyone!” Visitor, Cannon Hall Museum, Park & Gardens  

“I was scared when I thought I’d have to read out my story to visitors but I did it and I enjoyed it. I feel very proud and have had the best day ever. I’m going to bring my family to Cannon Hall and show them round.” Year 5 pupil, Carlton Primary Academy