Teachers + Schools

Pre-school

We have worked with an early years specialist to devise a fun programme for pre school children full of making, exploring and object discovery. If you are a pre school looking for more information, or to book, please email learning@ditchlingmuseumartcraft.org.uk or call 01273 844744.

Little Museum Visitors
We also run a monthly early years event, which is open to all children aged 2-5 years and their families. This is a fun, hands-on creative session packed full of sticking, drawing, storytelling and object discovery. Each workshop has a different theme and is run by an early years specialist..

The session is a drop-in but you can book ahead now or pay on the day!

…the construction theme was particularly successful and has resulted in much talk about what buildings are made of and what bits are for – ‘stopping the rain come in’ etc. The three little pigs story has been mentioned a great deal in relation to it as well which is lovely.” Manager, Ditchling Pre School

We are always inspired by our sessions at the Museum. Threading pipe cleaners in colanders was a very novel approach to weaving I felt! It made wonderful aliens!” Manager, Ditchling Pre School

Primary Schools

We have a new creative and vibrant schools programme which has been developed in conjunction with several local schools. All the workshops have been designed to be hands-on and craft based, teaching students new skills and techniques which they will use in each workshop to create work that they will be proud to take away with them. Each workshop includes a bespoke museum tour, focusing on items in the collection that relate to the subject of the workshop. You won’t believe how much we can fit into 2 hours!

Talented and creative artist educators lead each workshop and the light and airy learning space is a great place for schools to base themselves while visiting.

Workshops for Primary Schools

Weaving the Downs
Students will work in groups to investigate natural dyes, spinning yarn and textile construction before working on their own woven piece inspired by the South Downs on our table top looms. The workshop includes a bespoke tour of the museum.

Love Letterpress
The workshops begins by investigating typefaces, fonts, typography, branding and letterpress before students are taken on a bespoke tour of our print gallery in the museum. They will then get to try out three printing techniques: hand printing with antique wooden poster type, letterpress printing on our Adana presses, and designing and printing their own initials using styrofoam.

Playful Puppets
In this jam-packed workshop students will hear the story of the crocodile play written for puppets and get to handle and learn about different types of puppets before they go into the museum to look at our puppet on display. After this they will make wooden spoon puppets with movable arms and decorated clothes.

The workshops …

are 2 hours long
usually start at 10am or 1pm
are for up to 30 students per workshop

Workshops cost £7.50 per student (teaching staff free) £95 minimum charge applies for groups of 12 or less

To book please email learning@ditchlingmuseumartcraft.org.uk or call 01273 844744.

The teaching was great – a clear pace that didn’t allow the children to get bored or feel like they couldn’t achieve.” Year 2 teacher, Hassocks Infants School

The children were absorbed in everything.” Year 5 teacher, Windmills Junior School

Secondary Schools

We have a new creative and vibrant schools programme which has been developed in conjunction with several local schools. All the workshops have been designed to be hands-on and craft based; teaching students new skills and techniques which they will use in each workshop to create work that they will be proud to take away with them. Each workshop includes a bespoke museum tour, which focuses on items in the collection that relate to the subject of each workshop. You won’t believe how much we can fit into 2 hours!

Talented and creative artist educators lead each workshop, and we will soon have a downloadable teachers pack available with lots of pre and post visit ideas as well as helpful cross curriculum links.The light and airy learning space is a great place for schools to base themselves while visiting.

Workshops for Secondary Schools

Love Letterpress
The workshops starts off investigating typefaces, fonts, typography, branding and letterpress before students are taken on a bespoke tour of our print gallery in the museum. After this, they will try their hand at letterpress printing: setting a word of their choice to print on our Adana presses. They will also learn how to make a book using a simple bookbinding technique and use their letterpress print as the front cover.

Pewter Pendants
Students will design and make their own pewter pendant or charm. First, they will mould their design and then cast this in delft clay. Once their creations have cooled they will learn how to finish their piece. The workshop includes a guided tour of our silver collection on display in the museum. Due to the materials costs involved, this workshop is charged at a flat rate of £120 and is suitable for up to 15 students maximum

The workshops …

are 2 hours long
usually start at 10am or 1pm
cost £7.50 per student (teaching staff free) £95 minimum charge applies for groups of 12 or less
are for up to 30 students per workshop except for Pewter Pendants which is for a maximum of 15 students

To book please email learning@ditchlingmuseumartcraft.org.uk or call 01273 844744.

…our students said they wished they could have stayed longer.” Head of Art, Oakmeed Secondary School

Exciting to see the process from original design idea, through the modelling to the actual product.” Design Technology Teacher, Downlands Secondary School

Image: Emma Croman