Using artefacts from the Isles of Scilly Museum as a starting point to explore local history with year 7 students from the Five Islands Academy has proved to be a productive and dynamic collaboration. The project has provided a refreshing approach to the curriculum and results have been collated into a magazine aimed at visiting families.

‘Being Scilly’ is available through the local newsagents and Tourist Information Centre at Porthcressa Beach and has proved universally popular with visitors.

‘It’s like bringing a little bit of holiday home! Ours has been read to bits’

The 56-page magazine includes a museum trail, wild-life challenge and an insider’s guide to life on the islands seen through the eyes of local twelve year olds. Rachel Lewin – History teacher at the Five Islands Academy – was featured in the local press and has been invited to speak about her progressive approach to teaching history at KS3 at a national conference in Bristol.

‘Being Scilly has been conceived, edited and researched by the children of the Five Islands’ Academy; the impetus has been absolutely brilliant and came from Creative Islands with additional funding from FEAST. I can’t say how impressed I’ve been with this student led project; the three editors from year 8, Henry, Tia and Harrison worked all year to create this gorgeous magazine.’

The project won the 2020 Community Initiative Award by Cornwall Heritage.

The Isles of Scilly Museum has now closed and artefacts are being distributed and displayed across the 5 inhabited islands throughout 2021. 

But you can still order your copy of ‘Being Scilly’ by contacting the Touirst Information Centre via enquiries@islandspartnership.co.uk