Jane Austen Museum Trip

Year 7 pupils were thrilled to attend a trip funded by the Mansel -Pleydell Trust . The trip was themed around the writer Jane Austen who included the location of Weymouth in her novels ‘ Emma’ and ‘ Mansfield Park’.

The day included writing and art regarding the Regency buildings in Weymouth such as the Gloucester Lodge, the King’s Statue and the Bathing Machine . In the afternoon we attended the Dorset Museum for their exhibition called ‘ Jane Austen : Down to the Sea’ celebrating 250 years since the birth of the writer . This was a guide and tour delivered by expert Alban O’Brien with a play acted by the children in costume .They were introduced to satire, parody and irony in the work of Austen .

One pupil said ‘ I have learnt so much regarding Austen and I am going to read ‘ Pride and Prejudice’ . Head of Performing Arts, Mark Chutter, said ‘ the trip was related to the local community and our literary heritage in Dorset is important learning . My thanks to the Mansel- Pleydell Trust and to Dorset Museum for this innovative opportunity’.