Our Schools Programme
Our Workshops
Our schools programme will captive and inspire young minds through exploration, discovery and wonder. Come face to face with the creatures of the Jurassic Coast and uncover the archaeology of ancient Dorset. Discover the tales of Thomas Hardy and be inspired by the creativity of Dorset’s artists.
A fascinating and interactive way for school groups to explore our unique collections, led by our experienced, creative Learning Team. Workshops are tailored to key stages, and there are fun add-on activities to make the most of your visit.
Are you planning a school visit? Choose between engaging, interactive workshops led by our experienced museum staff and volunteers or self-led visits to explore at your own pace.
Important Announcement
Friday 22 September 2023, The Victorian Hall will also be closed all day for a private function. The Fine Foundation Dorset Story Space, next the the Thomas Hardy's Dorset Gallery will also be closed for an hour around Midday.
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Opening hours:
Daily: 9.00am - 4.30pm
Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Bank Holidays: 10.00am - 4.00pm -
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Early Years and Key Stage 1
Our hands-on, fun workshops for Early Years and Key Stage 1 offer children plenty of opportunities to discover, explore and wonder.
The Museum Learning team bring fascinating objects and stories to life, helping children learn about the world around them. Storytelling and song make the experience truly memorable.
Have lunch in the John White Learning Space, explore the galleries, then bring your morning workshop to life by adding one of our afternoon activities.
How To Book
For booking your visit and lunch space or an unguided visit.
Call: 01305 262735
Email: [email protected]
Workshops
Discover: Dinosaur Tracks and Trails
Learning about the mighty and mini animals that roamed, stomped or slithered on land and swam, sploshed and swooshed in the sea millions of years ago
Make: Dinosaur Tracks
Stomp! Stomp! Make your own dinosaur footprint to take away.
Discover: The magic key to the Museum
Explore, play, get hands-on to create and try things out. Discover our magical collection and wonder during this
immersive workshop.
Discover: We’re going on a Mammoth Hunt!
Explore, play, have fun, get hands-on, use your senses, create and try things out in our Natural Dorset Gallery.
Key Stage 2
A choice of hands-on workshops aimed at Key Stage 2 that put object handling, enquiry-based learning and creativity at the heart of pupils’ learning and exploration.
Take part in an archaeological investigation, excavate real and replica objects and explore the Museum’s collection in a fun and engaging way. Have lunch in the John White Learning Space, explore the galleries, then bring your morning workshop to life by adding one of our afternoon activities based on ancient crafts.
How to book
For booking your visit and lunch space or an unguided visit.
Call: 01305 262735
Email: [email protected]
Workshops
Discover: Stones, Bones and Metals
Curriculum: History | Topic: Stone – Iron Age, Local History
Discover how people lived in the Stone to Iron Age by investigating what they left behind. Find out how new technology helped people to survive, get hands-on excavating a burial mound, and use ancient tools to get a taste of daily life in Ancient Dorset.
Make: Gold Lozenge
Curriculum: History | Topic: Stone – Iron Age, Local History
Create your own gold lozenge inspired by the Early Bronze Age gold lozenge found at Clandon Barrow.
Discover: Durnovarian Dorset
Curriculum: History | Topic: Romans, Local History
Can you tell a wealthy Roman from a slave? What can Roman objects tell us about the lives of Romans living in Dorset? Become an archaeologist and excavate a Roman burial to uncover the mysteries of Roman life in Dorset.
Make: Marvellous Roman Mosaics
Curriculum: History | Topic: Romans, Local History
Create your own Roman Mosaic using real tesserae, inspired by the mosaics at Dorset Museum.
Discover: The Roman Town House, Dorchester
Curriculum: History | Topic: Romans, Local History
Take part in a guided visit of Dorchester’s Roman Townhouse. Dress up and handle real Roman objects in this unique setting.
Discover: Dorset Art Detectives
Curriculum: Local History, Art and Design | Topic: History of Art, Dorset Artists
An interactive tour of our art collection introduces different types of art, craft and design to encourage pupils to look closely, form and share opinions.
Schools Workshop | Natural Collection 🐛
- Duration of workshop: 2 hours
- Cost: FREE
- Aimed at: Key Stage 2
A FREE science-based workshop at Dorset Museum in partnership with Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is challenging students across the UK to help everyone better understand the nature around us.
Nature in the UK is under threat, and we all have a part to play in the solution. The Natural History Museum and Dorset Museum need your students to become local experts, help observe and collect new data, and take action through science to make a real difference.
As part of this national project, Dorset Museum is offering schools free curriculum-linked workshops. Aimed at Key Stage 2, pupils will gain a unique opportunity to learn about extraordinary hidden worlds, mini-beasts, habitats and adaptations. Pupils will explore Dorset Museum’s hidden collection, discover how early scientists worked and develop their own scientific thinking. Inspired by the Dorset Museum’s incredible collection pupils will also make their own nature journal to take away.
- Explore the Urban Nature project
How to book
For booking your visit and lunch space or an unguided visit.
Call: 01305 262735
Email: [email protected]
Accessibility
Special Educational Needs
All our galleries and exhibitions have been designed with accessibility in mind.
If you have specific needs, please tell the Learning Team when you book and we will do our best to support your visit.
TASTE Café
Lunch?
Have lunch in the TASTE Café at Dorset Museum, Victorian Hall, or Courtyard after your workshop.
Shop
Gifts and Souvenirs
Remember your visit with a little something from our wonderful selection of pocket money goodies for all ages.