The Museum works with a number of local primary schools – including Tenterden, St Michael’s, Wittersham, Northiam and Rolvenden. We also have links with several local secondary schools pupils and offer work experience or volunteering opportunities to students considering careers in archaeology, or working in the heritage sector. There are a number of possible activities for visiting groups. We can give a guided tour of the museum, plus a museum trail activity, or, as is happening more and more, a school asks us to ‘tailor’ a visit to a particular area of local history that they are studying.
We also regularly host visit schools with activities relating to local history topics such as, hop picking, Roman Britain, shipbuilding at Small Hythe, the Home Front in both world wars, and the Stone Age. Our visits usually last between 60 and 75 minutes, and the pupils are able to handle and learn about museum artefacts, discussing the objects’ age and uses. Our sessions often involve history-themed storytelling, with the pupils taking acting roles and working sound effects. Examples of pupils’ work with the museum are displayed on our School Display Board in the 20th Century Room.
Sometimes, we join schools in longer-term projects or activities – for example, in 2024, we worked with pupils from Tenterden Church of England Junior School to produce a collage panel to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their school’s creation of the ‘Tenterden Tapestry’. The original ‘Tapestry’ has been on display at the Museum since the 1970s and the new panel will now joined it. The number of visits to and from schools are increasing steadily as are our contacts within the schools. Going forward, we have developed very good, and progressive, working relationships. The Museum staff also find the interaction with schools rewarding and fun!
Work experience students
Here is a selection of videos created by three Homewood School students on work experience placements with us during summer 2025.
Eyla Rios, Verity Butchers and Oscar Limbu researched, wrote, filmed and edited these pieces, exploring the museum and its collection, during the week they spent here. There’s also a brilliant stop-frame animation, made by Eyla. She had no trouble encouraging our resident mice actors to participate – they jumped at the opportunity to be on film!
Theodore Mouse and friends guide us around the museum:
This video discusses an ivory domino set in our 20th century Room:
This video discusses our Rudge motorcycle:
Theodore Mouse explores the farming tools:
Theodore travels back through time with the Tenterden Tapestry:
This video introduces us to Malcolm “Simmo” Simmons:
Theodore explores the 1960s kitchen: