Experience Days

Please note we are doing some building work in Autumn 2025 to extend our Barn Theatre. We will be taking bookings from February 2026 onwards. 

 

We invite schools and local groups to join us on an Experience Day to take part in free creative and educational activities. Explore our museum of antique toys and puppets and get creative in drawing and making workshops. Our offer meets multiple aspects of the curriculum including art, history, design technology, literacy, and drama. We can tailor the visit for any age group from KS1 to KS3 (aged 5-14 years) – it is designed for one class at a time (max 32 students).

Over an academic year our Experience Days have different themes and content, so groups can return more than once. The Autumn is focused on the museum and history of toys; the Spring focuses on theatre; and the Summer is all set outdoors.

 

“The best school trip I’ve been on in 30 years of teaching!”

Primary Teacher

Contact us to book

We firmly believe that cost should not be a barrier to enjoying the Arts. We have a ‘Transport Support Fund’ generously donated by the Spencer Wills Trust.  This helps pay for transport to and from our activities for schools and families facing hardship, who would otherwise not be able to attend. To request support please contact us directly. (Please note that travel bursaries are limited and at the discretion of The Bright Foundation).

Curtains Up! A day of theatre and performance

“All the children were so taken with the theatre performance. It was so special to experience something so professional in such an intimate setting.”

 

Give your pupils the chance to see a professional theatre show, retelling a popular fairy tale, and then take part in creative workshops. 

 

The Bright Foundation is creating a brand new children’s theatre show designed specially for our intimate 48 seat theatre. Developed in consultation with teachers and children, the show will retell a classic fairy tale, providing strong literacy links and inspiration for children’s own story writing. 

 

The day will start by watching the 30 minute show. The children will then take part in creative workshops led by the actors in the show. Workshops could be focused on puppet making, storytelling, or set and costume design – we can tailor the content to your learning outcomes. 

 

Teacher Previews:

Wednesday 4 February @ 4.30pm  |  Thursday 5 February @ 4.30pm

A chance for teachers to see the show and get some teaching resources to support you to prepare for your visit

 

Bookable Dates:

Wednesdays or Thursdays, 10am – 2.30pm

11 / 12 / 25 / 26 February 2026

4 / 5 / 11 / 12 / 18 / 19 / 25 / 26 March 2026

22 / 23 / 29 / 30 April

Creative Roots: A Day of Learning through Nature

 

Discover the great outdoors in this nature based creative learning day. Follow our bug hunting nature trail or have a go at pond dipping – you will work with a Biodiversity expert to discover what lives in the English countryside. Following your explorations you will work with an artist to create nature inspired artworks and sculptures.

 

Bookable Dates:

Wednesdays or Thursdays, 10am – 2.30pm

6 / 7/ 13 / 14 / 20 / 21 May 2026

3 / 4 / 10 / 11 / 24 / 25 June 2026

1 / 2 July 2026

The practicalities

We will be doing some building work throughout Autumn 2025 at the Barn Theatre and Museum and will be taking bookings from February 2026 onwards.  We are still taking School and College bookings at the Benbow Arts Space. Please get in touch and we can check availability of our creative team.

Cost

As a charity commited to creative education for children and young people, we are offering the visit free of charge for a group of up to 32 students. We just ask that you fund your transport to and from the venue. There is a cancellation fee of £100 should you cancel within two weeks notice.

Transport

The Barn Theatre and Museum is in a rural location and can only be accessed down a single lane track. It is part of our planning condition to not allow coaches onto site. Therefore the group must be transported in minibuses. 

View Map

Access

We are committed to making the experience as accessible as possible – please talk to us about your access needs. There is level access across the site, a hearing loop in the theatre and we can offer a BSL Interpreter for your visit.

How to Book

Please complete the booking form below. For more information or to discuss date options please email office@thebrightfoundation.org.uk or ring 01424 559020.

Get in touch with us here if you’d like your school to get involved.

    School Name*

    Contact Name*

    Role*

    Email address*

    Phone number*

    Year group*

    Number of children*

    Your message

    Preferred dates

    First choice*

    Second choice

    Third choice

    * denotes required field

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    Barn Theatre & Museum
    Rodgers Farm
    Stonestile Lane
    Hastings
    East Sussex
    TN35 4PH

    Map

    Registered address:
    2 London Road
    St Leonards-on-Sea
    East Sussex
    TN37 6AE

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    © 2023 The Bright Foundation. Registered charity number: 1179452
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