School Visits
We are taking bookings for the academic year 2024-25 – remaining spaces are limited.
2024-5 Full Programme Available
During term time we are open Wednesday to Saturday 10am – 4pm.
The Museum is closed to the public from the end of December 21st 2024, to February 12th 2025. Due to building works and maintenance we have decided that we are not able to offer visits INTO the museum during this time. However, we are still able to offer OUTREACH visits to your school. Outreach during this time is offered with a 10% discount to account for the inconvenience of not being able to come into the museum. See January Outreach doc below for full details.
Loans boxes are also available (see separate catalogue for this)
We are able to offer;
Visits IN to the museum – WORKSHOPS – available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Booked using forms below. Themes listed below. (except January)
Visits IN – SELF LED – we welcome schools to visit for self led visits (Wed – Fri) but these must be booked in advance. Please email to arrange.
VIRTUAL SESSIONS – available Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Booked using forms below.
OUTREACH to your school– available most days subject to the teams availability. Booked using forms below.
LOAN BOXES – more than 35 boxes available; available on a termly basis, with set dates for collection and return. We will continue with cleaning between uses. Booked using forms below.
‘ARTS AWARD: Discover in a Day’ packages for KS1 and 2.
SECONDARY KS3/4 OFFER Careers workshop offer available
To book please email museumeducation@maidstone.gov.uk sending the relevant completed document from below.
We also have some great videos on the research carried out on the Museum’s mummy, which will give you a taste of the learning opportunities we can offer. Discover more…The Mummy
Themed videos are available here.
Limited workshop sessions are available each week so we recommend booking as far in advance as possible. You can visit the museum or arrange an outreach visit. For more information and to discuss your school visit requirements Contact us by downloading a request form and emailing it to museumeducation@maidstone.gov.uk. (email preferred as the team are often busy with schools) or call direct on 01622 602853.
Please note the Museum shop is only taking card payments.
Workshops available
| Theme | Age suitable for | Details | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theme:Pre History - Stone Age | Age suitable for:KS2 | Details:Learn about technology, ritual and daily life during the stone age. Handle tools and investigate how life has changed from 30,000 years ago. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN OUTREACH VIRTUAL | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) : | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) :Yes (covers Stone/Bronze/Iron age collection) |
| Theme:Ancient Egyptians | Age suitable for:KS2 | Details:Discover the beliefs and techniques of mummification, handling objects linked to the process. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN OUTREACH VIRTUAL | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) :yes | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) :Yes |
| Theme:Ancient Greeks | Age suitable for:KS2 | Details:Investigate objects to learn more about daily life, find out what the Greeks invented that is still used today, and identify gods through their attributes. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN OUTREACH VIRTUAL | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) :yes | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) : |
| Theme:Romans | Age suitable for:KS2 | Details:Investigate Roman arms and armour, and find out what the Romans brought to Britain. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN OUTREACH | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) : | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) :Yes |
| Theme:Anglo Saxons | Age suitable for:KS2 | Details:Become a history detective and learn about everyday life looking at artefacts and by exploring the gallery. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN Please note this workshop will not be available from Jan -July 2024 due to gallery redevelopment. | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) : | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) :Yes |
| Theme:Victorians | Age suitable for:KS2 | Details:Learn about life, jobs and school for Victorian children by handling objects. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN OUTREACH | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) : | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) : |
| Theme:Toys Through Time | Age suitable for:F/KS1 | Details:Handle old and new toys and learn about how play and materials have changed over time. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN OUTREACH VIRTUAL | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) : | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) : |
| Theme:Local History - Maidstone | Age suitable for:KS2 | Details:Learn about 3 of Maidstone’s key industries through handling objects. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) : | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) : |
| Theme:WW1 | Age suitable for:KS2 | Details:Investigate how war could be for soldiers in the trenches using letters, objects and a painting. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) : | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) : |
| Theme:WW2 | Age suitable for:KS2 | Details:Take a glimpse at life for children during the war using handling objects. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) : | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) : |
| Theme:Transport in Maidstone | Age suitable for:KS2 | Details:Learn about changes in uses of transport – for transporting goods, people and leisure – through parts of Maidstone’s history, looking at objects and models. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) : | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) : |
| Theme:Dinosaurs and Fossils | Age suitable for:F/KS1 | Details:Learn how fossils are formed through role play and handle real dinosaur bones. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN OUTREACH VIRTUAL | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) :yes | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) : |
| Theme:Archaeology Detectives | Age suitable for:KS2 | Details:Find out how archaeologists uncover objects and what they can tell us about the past. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) :yes | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) : |
| Theme:Art Detectives | Age suitable for:KS1/KS2 | Details:Investigate artworks for clues to what the artists want to share with you. Look at portraits and scenes, then sketch your own ideas. (Gallery based) | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) :yes | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) : |
| Theme:Climate Change - KS2 | Age suitable for:KS2 | Details:Learn about difference between weather and climate change and why climate change is important. Take part in handling activities including an activity about adaptation. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN | Teacher Notes Available (These will be added to over time) : | Self Led Activity Available (based on objects in gallery) Scroll to bottom of page (these will be added to over time) : |
Craft Sessions available - to book please ask when booking main workshop
| Theme | Details | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL |
|---|---|---|
| Theme:Mummify an orange | Details:follow the process learned in the main Egyptian workshop. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN OUTREACH |
| Theme:Clay Shabti or Canopic Jar (Egyptian) | Details:create a clay shabti or canopic jar inspired by the ones handled in the main Egyptian workshop | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN OUTREACH |
| Theme:Clay coil pot or mask (Greeks) | Details:create a clay pot or mask inspired by the ones handled in the main Greek workshop. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN OUTREACH |
| Theme:Clay oil lamps (Romans) | Details:create a clay oil lamp inspired by the ones handled in the main Roman workshop. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN OUTREACH |
| Theme:Peg dolls (Toys/Victorians) | Details:create a peg doll inspired by ideas form the main workshop. | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN OUTREACH |
| Theme:Clay Dinosaur or fossil (Dinosaurs) | Details:create a clay dino or fossil inspired by the main workshop | Location/Type of Workshop available; IN, OUTREACH, VIRTUAL:IN OUTREACH |