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National Portrait Gallery London

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The National Portrait Gallery’s Schools hub is designed to support the study of Art & Design and History through the world’s largest collection of portraits. All resources are free.

The National Portrait Gallery’s Schools hub is designed to support the study of Art & Design and History through the world’s largest collection of portraits. All resources are free.
The ‘votes for women’ campaign
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The ‘votes for women’ campaign

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How and why did campaigners win voting rights for women? The ‘votes for women’ campaign was one of the most important in the long fight for equal rights between men and women – a fight that is still going on today. This video introduces some of the different people involved in the campaign for women’s suffrage (the right to vote in national elections), the methods they used in their campaigning, and why their struggle was so important. Explore further at: www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/history-explainer-the-votes-for-women-campaign Watch and discuss: What challenges did British women face in the 1800s, when the ‘votes for women’ campaign began? How did the suffragists campaign for votes for women? What campaign methods did the suffragettes use? Which campaign methods do you think might have been most effective? Why?
Migration: inspirational musicians
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Migration: inspirational musicians

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Explore portraits of 6 different musicians and discover what they can tell us about music, migration and its impact on British culture: https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/migration-to-britain-inspirational-musicians-and-their-anthems Description From classical music to rock, pop and hip-hop, migration has enriched British musical culture over the centuries. Explore six musicians who migrated to Britain, or whose families migrated to Britain. Some have left us with memorable anthems, others have influenced new musical styles and genres. Explore their portraits, listen to their music and consider their impact on British culture. https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/migration-to-britain-inspirational-musicians-and-their-anthems
Mary Seacole's memories
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Mary Seacole's memories

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What can Mary Seacole’s portrait tell us about why she was so special? Uncover Mary’s extraordinary story and compare with other amazing nurses and doctors from the past: https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/significant-people-mary-seacoles-memories Description Would you risk your life to help others? Mary Seacole was a business person, writer, adventurer and nurse who lived over 150 years ago. She is best remembered for her bravery and kindness. She used her own money to set up a special place she called ‘The British Hotel’ in the middle of a war in Crimea (which is now in Ukraine). Here she put her own life in danger to help wounded soldiers. The people she helped called her ‘Mother Seacole’. Look closely at Mary Seacole’s portrait and find out why she was so special. https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/significant-people-mary-seacoles-memories
Tudor portraits: global connections
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Tudor portraits: global connections

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Discover what portraits can reveal about Tudor Britain’s growing connections to the wider world, and some of the important stories hidden behind the Tudors’ ambitions for global power: https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/tudor-portraits-global-connections Description At the start of the Tudor period, in 1485, Tudor Britain had very little wealth or power beyond its borders. By the end of the period, in 1603, the Tudors had greatly increased their wealth and were beginning to compete with powerful European states around the world. This marked the beginning of what would become one of the most powerful empires in the world, with ongoing and difficult legacies that still affect us today. Investigate how Tudor portraits projected an image of wealth and global ambition and what they can reveal about Tudor Britain’s growing global connections. https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/tudor-portraits-global-connections
How to use a portrait as a source
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How to use a portrait as a source

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Develop your historical skills as you follow our step-by-step guide to portrait analysis. Discover how to look closely at portraits, read clues and unlock fascinating stories of the past: https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/how-to-use-a-portrait-as-a-historical-source Description Portraits are important and useful historical sources. At first glance, they can appear to be a simple picture of a person or people. But by looking closely, and asking analytical questions about what you can see, what can be inferred and the wider context of the portrait, they can provide important evidence to help us understand the past. Follow our guide to help you learn how to use portraits as a historical source and see what more you can discover. https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/how-to-use-a-portrait-as-a-historical-source
Going for tea with Judith Kerr
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Going for tea with Judith Kerr

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What stories and characters can you find hidden in a portrait of Judith Kerr? Explore Judith Kerr’s portrait to find out why she is significant: https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/significant-people-going-for-tea-with-judith-kerr Description Judith Kerr was an author and illustrator who is famous for writing children’s books, like The Tiger Who Came to Tea or Mog the Forgetful Cat. She made up these stories to tell her own children when they were young. As they grew older, Judith wrote the stories down and created illustrations to go with them so they could be turned into books for other children to enjoy. Look closely at Judith Kerr’s portrait and find out why she was so special. https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/significant-people-going-for-tea-with-judith-kerr
Migration stories
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Migration stories

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Discover the stories of some of the people whose portraits are in the National Portrait Gallery who migrated to Britain from all over the world. Migration is when people move from one place to live in another. This video uses portraits to tell the stories of some of the people who have migrated to Britain throughout history. We discover their stories and the impact they have made. We consider some of the reasons why people migrate, and how migration shapes our everyday lives. Explore further: https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/history-explainer-migration-stories Watch and discuss: Think about the different stories you have heard. What impact do you think migration had on their lives? Can you think of any other well-known people who have migrated to Britain? Choose someone, research their story and create a portrait of them.