School & Group Visits
Our Learning Team run a series of programmes designed to fit into KS1 and KS2 history and science curriculums. In addition the Museum holds activities and workshops for children during each school holiday and regular storytelling for under 5's.
LEA schools within the Borough of Maidstone can claim a 15% discount on most school's activities.
Inclusion and Access
Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery endeavours to provide optimum access to all of its collections. Workshops can be tailored to meet the needs of your group and hands on activities often prove inspirational to those with special and additional needs.
Our 'Step into Learning...' programmes are inspired by the three main collection categories at the Museum: Art, History and Natural Science.
Pre-School and Reception
We offer a vibrant programme of interactive workshops, the 'hands on' nature of them makes them ideal for Pre-school and Reception children. Whatever the topic, we will bring our artefacts and/or specimens to your venue or school and inspire your children. We can be very flexible and whilst our workshops usually last 60 minutes, we can do a simpler version for 30-45 minutes. See our 'Step into Learning...' programmes for an idea of the themes that we cover, but bear in mind that sessions can be tailored to cover pre-school themes and topics such as mini-beasts, toys and dinosaurs.
Key Stage 1 and 2
Our interactive workshops in Art, History and Natural Science were designed specifically with Key Stage 1 and 2 in mind. Pupils are encouraged to engage in their own active enquiry and will be inspired with real artefacts and specimens. After an introduction by a member of the learning team, pupils will be given their own objects to study and will become archaeologists, art detectives or natural scientists. See our 'Step into Learning... Programmes' for topics.
Key Stage 3
Many of our topics are also suitable for Key Stage 3 and will be tailored to this older audience. Our aim is to re-encourage active enquiry with a group object handling session. Students may explore artefacts and specimens closer through observational drawings. Due to the lack of space in the museum education room, theses sessions are best delivered as an outreach.
Key Stage 4, A Level & Equivalents
We welcome visits from students in higher education. We have over 600,000 artefacts and specimens to inspire students' studies. The Museum provides the perfect environment for observational drawings and further objects can be requested from the stores with notice. If you have a particular topic in mind, we will be happy to help you plan your visit and will endeavour to provide any extra resources or artefacts that you may need.
To find out more about what we can offer you in terms of a tailored visit or outreach session, advice on current or upcoming temporary exhibitions to inspire art classes or for any other information, please contact Samantha Edwards, Learning & Access Officer on 01622 602859 or samedwards@maidstone.gov.uk
