Stamps in Schools

In 2006, the BPMA began sponsoring the work of Erene Grieve and her Stamps in Schools project. 

Stamps in Schools provides 'stamp days’ for Key Stages 2 and 3 class or year groups. A stamp day introduces pupils to the history of stamps, and the idea of starting their own stamp collection. Thanks to sponsorship from the BPMA, and Erene's own hard work, a stamp day is completely free of charge.

Find out more about stamp days and how to book in the Education visits section.

Many schools have set up a stamp club following a visit and there is information, resources and ongoing support for club organisers from the Stamp Active Network.

About Stamps in Schools

The Stamps in Schools project is the brainchild of Erene Grieve, retired teacher and Lecturer in Developmental Psychology for the Open University. Erene realised that she had hit upon a winning idea when her first visits into schools proved such a success with both pupils and teachers. The project has been running since 1997 and has visited nearly 200 schools in many areas of the UK – from Inverness to the Isle of Wight.  

Stamps in Schools has received much acclaim, including two coveted Rowland Hill Awards from the British Philatelic Trust. Erene has spoken about her work on ‘Woman’s Hour’ on BBC Radio 4, and ‘The Jeremy Vine Show’ on Radio 2, as well as BBC Radio Wales. Stamps in Schools has also been featured in the Education Guardian and many local papers, which can provide an exciting additional outcome for pupils following a stamp day.

The stamp days have been received with great enthusiasm – even the teachers have been known to get their own stamps out again! Many people are surprised that stamps can still enthral and stimulate children today, and
teachers have been delighted at having discovered such a rich resource for a range of teaching and learning activities.

Praise for Stamps in Schools

From children:

• 'This has been the best day of my life – I am going to start a stamp collection!'
• 'I think I have fallen in love… with stamps.'
• 'I don’t know what it is about stamp collecting but I really like it.'
• 'You can learn things from stamps.'

From teachers and education officers:

• 'It’s a great idea for a new club.'
• 'The children can build up skills that are transferable to their classwork.'
• 'We need clubs that aren’t just sport or music.'
• 'Our children are really enthusiastic about starting their own collection.'
• 'A well informed and totally absorbing presentation.'

From parents:

• 'Children are hard work, but the payback is being able to share their unfettered enthusiasm for something that interests them.'
• 'Thank you for introducing my child to a worthwhile hobby.'
• 'It’s nice to see my daughter working on her collection with her grandma.'

Starting a School Stamp Club?

Many stamp clubs have been set up following a visit from Stamps in Schools.  The visits help to get the ball rolling by introducing children to the idea of starting a stamp collection, with a display of stamps chosen to appeal to children. 

What are the benefits of running a stamp club?
Children gain from a hobby that is relatively inexpensive (certainly to begin with). It promotes international understanding and an appreciation of art and design. Because almost any subject may have featured on a stamp, the appeal is broad.

Other useful websites
www.planetstamp.co.uk  This site has a lot of information about stamps, stamp collecting and stamp competitions and is aimed at young collectors.

www.royalmail.com/stampsforkids The site contains information about new stamp issues, as well as competitions and games involving stamps.

www.postalmuseum.si.edu/educators/smm/index.html This American Smithsonian Institute site provides some great ideas for teachers interested in using stamps as an educational tool. The page on making stamp mosaics is particularly interesting.

Please note that the BPMA cannot accept responsibility for the content of any external websites.