In this unit children learn about the life of William Cookworthy, founding father of the Cornish Clay Industry. Through exploring his life, the children discover Cookworthy as both scientist and pioneer. Children will also find out about the Cornish china clay industry, how the modern process of mining the china clay has both changed and remained remarkably similar to historic excavation methods and the importance of china clay to industry worldwide today.

Following in the footsteps of the poet Jack Clemo, who lived his whole live within the ‘clay country’, this teaching unit gives children the opportunity to reflect upon the china clay area and industry; what was it like working within the industry and the impact of the industry on the landscape. The sequence of lesson ideas follow the theme of the china clay area, both landscape and industry. It is intended that as the children work through the lessons they gain inspiration from the images that accompany the unit as well as from visiting the China Clay Country Park itself.

Through its focus on the common rocks and minerals of Cornwall, including china clay, this teaching units delves into the very foundations of Kernow itself. Through the unit, children discover the rock cycle; they find out how different rocks are formed and investigate how the characteristics of certain rocks are exploited for different purposes. They discover the importance of minerals to Cornwall and in particular the importance of china clay to a modern world. A schools rocks and minerals loan box is available to back up this unit. To book this please contact the curator.

In this unit children investigate some of the ways the China Clay area changed during the Victorian era, and explore some of the reasons for those changes. Children use the local area to explore characteristic features of Victorian times, how the area changed over time and the reasons for and results of these changes The children can discover what life was like working in a Victorian china clay works and see if they could be a successful kettle boy. They develop their sense of chronology, and ask and answer questions, from pictures, census and map information and other sources.

Through the environments created by the China Clay industry, children will begin to understand the concept of a habitat, how it provides organisms found there with conditions for life and how animals depend on plants or other animals that eat plants for food. Throughout the unit ways in which organisms are suited to the habitat are emphasised, especially in terms of woodland or pond habitats that can be studied at the China Clay Country Park.

 The country park is actively seeking to encourage local schools to explore thier clay heritage and has a dedicated display area available to local schools to showcase their students work relating to china clay. If you are a local teacher or have visited the park as part of a schools project, we would like to hear from you about what you think of our education resources and how we can continue to improve them.