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 the session. Teacher notes are provided and will be sent to you prior to your visit.

On arrival please introduce yourselves at our main visitor information desk and then make your way upstairs to our Explorers and Collectors Room. Your students will need to split into groups and each group will investigate a small number of Medieval artefacts and replicas.  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.

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. 

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. 

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

Create your own Medieval Coat of Arms. Your pupils will be provided with a printed resource and materials to learn about medieval coats of arms and  create their own. Cost is £1 per pupil. Suitable for KS1 – 2 and intermediate ESOL students.

KS1/KS2/KS3/beginner/intermediate/advanced ESOL students. Please specify when booking.

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 pupils into two 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.

Each object handling session is £50 for up to 25 pupils. An additional charge of £1 per pupil is made for over this number.

A creative activity 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.
• Payment is preferred 2 weeks in advance by cash, credit card or cheque payable to Canterbury City Council. In exceptional circumstances, and if no other payment method is possible we may be able to invoice.

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.