AN Oxfordshire museum has hosted sixth-form students for a 'day of excellence' in history.

Students from King Alfred’s Academy, St Helen and St Katherine’s and the Downs School attended an the study day on 18th Century studies, organised by Wantage's Vale and Downland Museum.

The teenagers rotated through a series of seminars, on 'the rise of the 'man-midwife'; an evaluation of the role of children’s sleep; and 18th Century literature.

Also discussed were 'grand tours of Europe', global history in the period and “Etruscan” style and Neoclassical Design.

Year 13 student Katie McDonagh said: “This has made me even more excited about going to university.

"I have loved all the discussion we have sparked off one another.”

Pam Stokell, Head of Academic Enrichment at King Alfred’s, added: “This is yet another example of the invaluable education work done by our local museum, to the huge benefit of our students and consequently the community of Wantage.”

Representatives from Leeds and York universities attended the event, which was also held in collaboration with the White Rose College of Arts and Humanities, and with funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Mel Rowntree, Learning Access Officer for the museum, said: “We were extremely fortunate to have an incredibly innovative and rigorous team of academic researchers led by seminal historian Joanna de Groot. We are so grateful to the speakers for travelling such a distance to share their time and expertise.”