“The children were extremely engaged throughout the trip... Thank you all for making our trip so enjoyable.”
Foundation and Key Stage 1 – Activities and Resources
A variety of workshops and trail sheets are available for Foundation and Key Stage 1 classes. All visits can be tailor-made to meet your requirements. For differentiation purposes it may be useful to look also at the Key Stage 2 Activities and Resources page. Trails and guidance notes may be downloaded. A copy of our current leaflet, background, travel information and links to other useful websites can be found on the Teachers’ page.
Many schools plan cross-site visits combining a trip to the cathedral with a visit to the castle, Guildhall Museum, Eastgate House or the Huguenot Museum. Speak to our Learning Team about linked programmes.
Prices
Our current prices for school visits are published here
All visits need to be pre-booked. Entry cannot be guaranteed without prior booking.
We have two lunchrooms with capacity for approx 30 students each. Lunchrooms need to be pre-booked and hire fees apply.
Please note that our lunchrooms are located up a steep flight of stairs. Alternative accommodation is occasionally available. Please phone to discuss details.
Workshops
Foundation Stage Activity / Story Trails Interactive themed trails lasting around an hour. Visit various stations to explore your chosen theme. All trails include a craft activity. Available themes – Kings & Queens, Noah, Journeys, The Animals of Rochester Cathedral.
Curriculum links: RE, History, English, Art & Design, Science, Mathematics
Interactive RE / History / Art Mini-tour A 45 minute guided look around the cathedral followed by 15 minutes to explore self-guided. Tours will be tailor made to match your learning objectives.
Stories in Glass An hour-long session exploring the stories and messages in stained glass windows. Pupils will also be given the opportunity to design their own window.
Curriculum links: RE, Art & Design
Role Play Baptism / Role Play Wedding A 45 minute session including a short role play baptism / wedding. Role Play Baptism can also be done as part of an interactive RE tour.
Curriculum links: RE / SMSC
Poor Man’s Bible A 45 minute guided exploration of some of the artwork in the cathedral. We look at the stories and messages in the stained glass windows, the green men, the fresco, the tiles and much more.
Curriculum links: RE / History / Art & Design, SMSC
Drama Workshop A 45 minute improvised drama workshop. A variety of RE themes are offered (Palm Sunday, Parables and Miracles of Jesus). Please ask about tailor-made drama sessions.
Curriculum links: RE, English
Tile Printing An hour-long workshop. Explore the cathedral collecting patterns and designs then create your own tile and use it to print your design.
Curriculum links: Art & Design, RE, Maths
Heraldry A 45 minute creative workshop. We explore the coats of arms of some of the Bishops of Rochester before designing our own heraldic shields. Links well with topics on Knights and Castles. Works well as a linked visit to Rochester Castle / Guildhall Museum.
Curriculum links: History, Art & Design
Special Activity Days
Explore Days Spend a day at the cathedral engaging in a variety of activities. Select a trail (see below) plus two workshops from the list above. The opportunity to conclude the day with a short act of worship is offered. Lunchrooms are offered free of charge as part of Explore Days. Available September – February (limited availability for booking March – July).
£5.40 incl VAT per pupil.
Trail Sheets
A member of the Learning Team will greet you and give a brief introduction to the cathedral before you explore self-guided using one of the following sheets.
Cathedral Explorer A short trail exploring many interesting objects and areas in the cathedral. Please bring your own pencils. Answer sheet available to download. (RE / History)
Cathedral I Spy / Beasts I Spy / Pattern I Spy Photo trails. Search for the images shown. Pencils needed. (RE, Art & Design). Allow 30 – 45 minutes per trail.
Art, Science and Maths A guidance sheet aimed at teachers and helpers. This sheet helps you to explore and discuss the building with small groups of children.
