Open Church Network Education Pack - A Guide for School Visits
The Open Church Network is a living resource that offers endless possibilities for complementing the National Curriculum, not only for Religious Education, but also for History, English, Science, Art, Technology, Mathematics and PSHE. The Education Pack published by the OCN for 2008 provides information that will help teachers and students discover the fascination and joy of visiting these wonderful buildings, which are so full of delightful surprises.

Using the Guide
Included in the Guide are three General Packs that cover topics common to all churches, and fifteen Church Packs that are tailored to the unique features of each of the fifteen churches in the Open Church Network. Each Church Pack begins with a summary sheet that provides you with all the information you need to arrange a visit.
General Packs
The first two General Packs, Church Layout & Furnishings and Images & Symbols in a Church, should form the foundation of a visit to any of the churches.
The third General Pack, What Can a Graveyard Tell Me? can be used, if desired, at most of the churches, weather permitting.
The Individual Churches
For the individual churches there are contact details and other details needed for a successful visit. Teacher packs and pupil packs provide background and suggested National Curriculum study topics for teachers and worksheets for pupils.
Key Stages
While some of the activities have been designated for specific Key Stage levels, most can be adapted to any age group; it is up to the teacher to decide which exercises to include and how far in depth to take each
Complementing the National Curriculum
Visiting a church complements more subjects in the National Curriculum than many might think. While Religious Education may be the principal reason for visiting these historic buildings, the activities in this Guide include such diverse topics as the history of fashion, heraldry, story-writing, art, structural analysis, nature conservation and budgeting finances. Specific learning outcomes are listed with each activity; however, all of the activities in this Guide involve at least some of the following:
Religious Education
• record and share observations
• express feelings, reactions and ideas in positive ways
• respect others by recognising their right to hold different views
PSHE
• talk about their opinions and views on issues that affect themselves and society
• communicate confidently with their peers and adults
History
• place events, people and changes into correct periods of time
• use dates and historical vocabulary to describe the periods studied
• recall, select and organise historical information
English
• participate in group discussion and interaction
• write narratives, poems, play scripts, reports, explanations, opinions, and commentaries

If your school has not received its copy of the education pack then contact
The Open Church Network Coordinator:
Email: suekellyctnw@hotmail.co.uk
or Sue Kelly 5, Sunnyridge Avenue, Marford Wrexham LL12 8TE

The Open Church Network comprises 15 beautiful open churches within rural Wrexham.
Launched in 2004 the Churches aim to produce a quality visitor experience. All of the churches in the network: -
• are committed to being open
• offer a warm welcome to visitors
• provide information and facilities to offer a memorable experience
Together, the churches contain a wealth of cultural and religious heritage and cover an extraordinary range of styles, from early medieval to Victorian Gothic revival, via some unspoiled Georgian beauties. There are buildings by such renowned architects as Edward Welby Pugin and George Edmund Street, and stained glass windows by Charles Eamer Kempe, Clayton & Bell, the pre-Raphaelite artist, Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and the founder of the Art & Crafts Movement, William Morris. Three of the Seven Wonders of Wales are found within the grounds of Wrexham’s churches: the bells of All Saints’ Church, Gresford; the tower of St. Giles’ Church, Wrexham and the yews of St. Mary the Virgin’s Church in Overton.

Entered by BB 12th March 2008. Updated 18th April 2008