KS2 Marianne North, Victorian plant hunter and artist
Pupils will learn about the life and travels of Marianne North, a Victorian naturalist and prolific botanical artist.

Level
Key Stage 2
Duration
90 minutes
Allocated space
15 pupils per group (maximum 60 pupils per day)
Overview
During their exploration of the Marianne North Gallery the pupils will get a feel of what life would have been like for a female world traveller in Victorian times.
They will have the opportunity to take a closer look at some of Marianne North’s paintings of plants found on her many trips to countries around the world. The session will also include producing a piece of artwork to take home.
Learning outcomes
Pupils will be able to:
- Discover the role Marianne North played in Victorian society as a female explorer, plant hunter and artist.
- Explore how plants are adapted to their environment
- Analyse, describe and evaluate their own work and that of others
We will ensure the learning outcomes focus on the year group taking part.
Keywords:
Plant hunter, explorer, botanical illustrations, Victorian, adaptations, climate, environment, colour, texture, paint
Curriculum links
KS2 Art and design
- to improve their mastery of art and design techniques about great artists in history.
KS2 History
- a local history study
- a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
KS2 Science
Year 3 Plants
- identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants: roots, stem/trunk, leaves and flowers
Year 4 Living things and their habitats
- recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways
KS2 English
Spoken language
- articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions
- use spoken language to develop understanding through speculating, hypothesising, imagining and exploring ideas
- speak audibly and fluently with an increasing command of Standard English
- participate in discussions and presentations
- gain, maintain and monitor the interest of the listener(s)
KS2 Geographical skills and fieldwork
- Use maps to locate countries.