“Our visit to Hat Works was the start of a three day Damp;T block. We looked at the different ways of making hats, researching the various types of hat, their uses and history.

Seeing how hats were produced in Stockport in Victorian times has really helped the children understand what the industry was about. The presentations were pitched at just the right level with interesting snippets among the facts about the technical and historical information.

The video was good and there were relevant excerpts playing next to each piece of machinery so the children were reminded how it fitted into the process.

The visit to Bessie’s little Victorian house was particularly relevant as it ties in with work we have been doing about jobs and social conditions in Victorian times.

Making the pieces of felt from wool was great fun and everyone was able to design and make a successful sample to take home. It was surprisingly easy to do and I will consider having a go myself with other pupils at the school.”