Archiving the past and present

Paganel Primary School students have been working with Library of Birmingham Outreach and Archive service to collect, record, archive and catalogue the history of the school and community. 

Project Coordinator Marcus Belben said: “Oral testimonies have been crucial to bring to life heritage, and we have completed over 100 interviews on a range of topics as part of this project.  Contributions of people from Weoley Castle inspires learning in the school and will be a lasting, living, heritage resource.”

The project included a number of visits to local heritage sites including several visits by children and parents to Library of Birmingham Archives and Heritage.

“We had to put on gloves when we were holding things because things were very old and easily broken.  Now we have our own archive of the school and our local area and all the people here”, says a young archivist at Paganel Primary School.

Marcus added: “Every child in the school has worked to create and develop the archive and Year 5 children have had a special role including designing the archive room with set designers from the REP.  With the support from Library of Birmingham, Archives and Heritage, we have also established an Archives After-School Club – a unique after-school club of pupils which meets every week to interview people, catalogue and organise and manage the Archives and will continue after our project has finished.

It is quite an achievement, but the real achievement of Paganel Archives, is putting heritage at the heart of it’s community.”