A resource to support teaching and learning through buildings and places
Centre for Urban Education
The Centre for Urban Education (CUE) was established as a partnership between Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester City Council. CUE now works with children, young people and their families and the professionals concerned with their education and care in urban environments in Greater Manchester and the North West of England.
We seek to:
Raise the aspiration and achievement of learners
Provide expertise and promote innovation in urban education
Develop urban professionals to support urban learners
We do this by promoting a positive approach to the challenges of living and learning in urban contexts. We offer opportunities in partnership with a number of other organisations including businesses and government funded bodies.
Venue Type:
Association or society
Related teaching activities
Key stage 2 English, Small Project
En3 Writing
Research and write a piece of non-fiction on a public building in your local area, outlining the history of the building and including the date of construction.
Key stage 2 geography, 1 lesson
Geographical enquiry and skills
Look at maps and photographs of housing in your local area. What are the main differences between housing in urban developments and those in rural settings?
Key stage 3 English, 1 lesson
En1 Speaking and listening
Choose a building that you particularly like or dislike in your local area. In small groups, come up with a list of questions that you'd like to ask the architect or builder about it. If possible, find out who the architect or builder was and ask them for an interview. If you can't do that then someone in your group could play this role and try to answer the questions.
Key stage 3 geography, Small project
1.1 Place
Choose two buildings in an urban area and compare their construction and location. How can they help us to learn about how the area developed over time? What influences, such as industrial or post-industrial development, shaped your local area?
Key stage 3 ICT, 1-2 lessons
2.2 Developing ideas
As a whole class, use digital images and sound to create a visual diary of your local area on the theme of place and the built environment.
