A day of excitement for Portsmouth residents with the National Education Museum

On 1st June 2024, excited chatter could be heard in Portsmouth’s ASPEX Gallery at events organised by the National Education Museum, the charity which has set its sights on establishing a museum dedicated to education with its base in Pompey.

The morning’s chatter was that of children taking part in art activities arranged by Isis Selmikaitis, Creative Engagement Coordinator at the Gallery. Their excitement was generated by a puppet made by teacher Ruth Thomas when she was at training college in 1944. Ruth was given the task of creating “Mr Growser”, a not at all pretty and rather grumpy character from the children’s radio programme Toytown, broadcast by the BBC from 1929 until 1964. Grown-ups who were children then may remember its star, Larry the Lamb.

Mr Growser is one of the precious artefacts that have been donated to the National Education Museum (see photo). Grumpy though he was, Mr Growser has not lost his appeal. His puppet inspired the children to create their own puppets. To their delight their efforts were rewarded with a cake with the Museum logo on the top. (see video)

The chatter was revived at a reception at the Gallery that evening for guests attending the second Fred Jarvis[1] lecture organised by the National Education Museum with a prestigious audience representing various areas of education. Former Secretary of State for Education, Baroness Estelle Morris gave the lecture choosing as her title Learning lessons - What should decades of school reform teach us?

Museum Chair of Trustees, Anne Swift said: “We are delighted that Baroness Estelle Morris agreed to give this important lecture and delighted to be back in Portsmouth celebrating the life and achievements of our late Honorary Patron, Fred Jarvis CBE. This was one of the most important events amongst several we are planning to raise the profile of the Museum and attract the kind of support and funding we will need to achieve our objectives.”

The lecture was co-hosted this year by the History of Education Society, (UK), an organisation which brings together researchers, teachers, and students in the history of education. The Society was represented by author and Winchester University Senior Lecturer, Sue Anderson-Faithful.

Comments from the audience included “It was very successful and a great mix of attendees.” “Estelle's speech was very thought provoking and analytical.” “I think it was an exceptional event”. “Estelle left me with real food for thought.” “Her analyses that politicians used to be at ‘the gate’ and they are now ‘in the classroom’ describes perfectly the current situation.” “It was so interesting to listen to Estelle’s reflections on decades of school and education reforms.” “Looking at the successes and failures of reforms through the lens of relationships very neatly explained why education staff can feel so exhausted and that the profession is not held in high esteem.”

For more information about the Museum and its Founder Patron Scheme visit www.nationaleducationmuseum.uk and contact the Secretary, Jean Roberts at [email protected] . The lecture will also be video recorded and published on the Museum’s website and on YouTube.