Hands On History of Canterbury – Object Handling Session

These sessions are briefly introduced by a member of museum staff who will provide you with all the resources you need to lead your class through your choice of a range of available activities. Teacher notes are provided and will be sent to you prior to your visit.

Your students will need to split into groups and each group will investigate a small number of artefacts and replicas from different periods in the history of Canterbury.  Some of these objects are very old and may be a little fragile so a member of your staff or accompanying adult must work with each group to ensure your pupils are supervised at all times.

There is a selection of activities to choose from alongside the handling objects. Each lasts for 45 minutes and can be used individually or you might combine a few for a longer museum visit.

Your pupils will work through a series of questions which will help them to investigate the objects in the handling trays, noting key characteristics and recording details on an Archaeologists Record Sheet which will enable them to identify the objects. Full teacher notes are provided and depending on the age and ability of your students you may choose to let them work independently through each one or perhaps you will guide them through the activity step by step.

Each object handling box comes with a description of its contents with age, material and any other known information. You can use these to help your students. Not all the boxes have the same contents.

Alternatively, this session can be a teacher led visit with 2 optional activities.

If you would prefer to explore the museum independently the Beaney is FREE to enter but we would ask you to complete a booking form so that we can monitor the number of visitors for health and safety purposes. We can provide resources for 2 teacher led activities.

Inspired by one of the most beautiful objects in our collection, an Anglo Saxon dragon brooch. Your pupils will be provided with a creative pack containing instructions and all the materials needed to make a history inspired art-y-fact! Cost is £1 per pupil. Suitable for KS1 – 2 and intermediate ESOL students

KS1/Beginner ESOL students, KS2/KS3 /intermediate/advanced ESOL students. Please specify when booking as different activity sheets are available for different levels.

Trays can be booked at the following times and can be used with more than one activity. One time slot per activity:

10:15 – 11:00

11:10 – 11:55

12:05 – 12:50

13:00 – 13:45

13:55 – 14:40

14:50 – 15:35

15:45 – 16:30

Maximum numbers for the object handling sessions is 32 pupils plus accompanying teachers. For larger groups we can split you into 2 groups and you can combine your visit with other activities or a museum visit whilst the groups take it in turns to participate in the workshop.

Key stage 1/beginner ESOL students, key stage 2 and 3, intermediate and advanced ESOL students.

Each object handling session is £40 for up to 25 pupils. An additional charge of £1 per pupil is made for over this number. Creative activities may be added for £1 each or £1.50 if not used as part of a handling session.

Please do enquire if you require a lunch space and we will do our best to accommodate you. However, a lunch space cannot be guaranteed.

All schools and groups must book visits in advance. To book any of our workshops please complete our Online Booking Form. If you have specific requirements that are not covered by the Online Booking Form please contact the Learning Team by emailing: learning@canterbury.gov.uk.

• We advise that all teachers conduct a preliminary visit before arriving with their pupils.
• Please ensure that all accompanying adults on your visit are aware of their role on the visit and are prepared to engage in the learning and support the pupils.
• The group leader is responsible for the behaviour and well-being of their group at all times.
• Please arrive promptly ready to start your visit allowing time for traffic, coach parking and walking through the busy city centre.
• There is no parking outside The Beaney or Canterbury Roman Museum. Coach drivers can book an appropriate coach drop off time at Canterbury Bus Station (5 minutes’ walk), or a parking space at Canterbury Coach Park (15 minutes’ walk)
• If payment for the visit is not made on the day, we will invoice for the number of pupils originally booked or the number that actually visited on the day (whichever is higher). If a visit is cancelled less than 2 weeks before it is due to take place, we regret we will still require payment to cover incurred costs.
• Invoices are issued following the date of the visit unless organisers wish to pay in advance.

Payment can be made on the day of your visit in cash, by credit card or via a cheque made payable to Canterbury City Council. If payment is not made on the day, we will invoice for the number of pupils originally booked or however many actually visited on the day (whichever is higher). If a visit is cancelled less than 2 weeks before it is due to take place, we regret we will still request payment to cover incurred costs.

Please ensure that all accompanying adults are aware of their role on the visit and are prepared to engage in the learning and support the pupils.

The group leader is responsible for the behaviour and well-being of their group at all times including first aid and ensuring participants are engaged in the activity. The group leaders will be liable for any breakages or damage to Museum property or collections. Your staff should accompany your pupils at all times. Learning activities cannot be delivered by our staff unless your pupils are accompanied by relevant staff numbers.

If your group arrives late, please note that the duration of the workshop may be reduced (to end at the scheduled time) in order not to run over into time booked by other later groups and therefore the workshop content may not be as advertised. The charges will remain as advertised.