Information for teachers and group leaders
If you’re planning a school or group visit to Maidstone Museum, it’s vital that, as a teacher or group leader, you have access to all the necessary information to ensure your visit runs as smoothly as possible. You can find out more about planning your visit across our website. Take a look at the relevant sections today and note key information below.
Location
St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, ME14 1LH
Overview
Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery is set within a Tudor Manor House which has undergone many additions and renovations over the past 170 years. The museum’s 13 galleries are home to collections linked to Maidstone’s history, art collections, the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Museum (QORWK), as well as artefacts from around the world collected by Maidstone-linked collectors, including an ancient Egyptian mummy.
Opening times
Admission to the main museum is free. There are some charges for visiting exhibitions. (See website for detail)
Term time opening; Wednesday-Saturday from 10am until 4pm (last entry 3.30pm)
Holiday opening; Monday – Saturday from 10am until 4pm (last entry 3.30pm)
Please note the museum is closed from December 21 2023 until February 5 2024. A limited Learning Service will be available during this time of Loans boxes and Outreach.
Pre-Visit
We recommend pre-visiting the museum so you are fully aware of the access to galleries, exits, locations of toilets, etc. Please use our risk assessment to inform your own risk assessment. Our adult child ratios are based on the number of galleries, floor levels and gallery access.
Adult / pupil ratios
During your visit, pupils will be encouraged to ask questions, handle artefacts and enjoy themselves. We ask you to be responsible for their supervision, so please ensure that you bring enough teachers and adult helpers with you on the day, following the recommendations below.
Nursery/Reception – min. 1 to 5
Key Stage 1 (Y1 and Y2) – min. 1 to 5
Key Stage 2 (Y3 – Y6) – min. 1 to 6
Secondary (Y7 – Y11) – min. 1 to 10/15
Post 16 – min. 1 adult per booking, recommended 1 to 30
RATIO: Why a ratio of 6:1 children to adult (KS2) 5:1 children to adult (KS1)?
We have decided to set these ratios to allow children the best access and safest interaction within our museum. The museum buildings date back to the 1500’s and have had many additions to it over the following centuries. These additions mean that there are a lot of smaller galleries and additional step access to these galleries. During the ‘museum time’ part of a visit, children are encouraged to explore the museum along with their group adult. It should be noted that at this time, children will come into contact with members of the public who will also be enjoying a visit to the museum. We feel that the children’s safety is paramount at all times and that a ratio of 1:6 ks2 and 1:5 ks1 means that numbers are more manageable for teachers/adults. Many of our workshops are based in the classroom but several of our workshops are gallery based, meaning they take place in a relevant gallery, and involve group activities where an adult is required to support the group. In these cases smaller groups are obviously more beneficial. As we believe the safeguarding of children is paramount, and in order for the visit to be most beneficial, we feel this ratio is best.
Contact us (email preferred)
Telephone: 01622 602853/602158 Email: museumeducation@maidstone.gov.uk