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, including presenting theatre shows, so groups can return more than once.
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).
Join us for a design-focused day working with artist and educator Rebecca Ainscough, and puppet designer and maker, Kate Shearcroft. Students will enjoy a museum tour discovering our private collection of antique toys, puppets and model theatre sets from around the world. Following a tour of the museum, students will learn about and try out all the different types of puppets in our collection and then create their own to show their class in our beautiful theatre.
“It was such an amazing day - well thought out and planned. It was really well delivered and some of the young people that attended have never been that attentive and focused before.” - Group Leader
This is suitable for key stages 1-3. The day is free of charge to Schools and Groups and will run from 9:45am-2pm. Students are asked to bring a packed lunch and water bottle.
We are now offering a follow-on puppet making day for schools and groups who have already attended the Introduction to Puppets. Please contact us directly if you would like to discuss this.
Available dates: Wednesdays and Thursdays from November 2024.
This workshop is inspired by the Key Stage 1 curriculum. Explore the world of antique toys, theatres and puppets from days gone by through our museum collection. Looking at toys can tell you a lot about the time they were made. Learn about the materials used in Victorian times and what life was like for the children who played with them. After the tour children will participate in a creative toy-making workshop.
Suitable for Key Stages 1 & 2
Another new workshop for 2024! This fun and interactive day will be inspired by iconic costumes from the Cosprop collection.
What does costume mean? - from dance, theatre, and film productions to folk activities and religious ceremonies, children will identify costumes and the places and period of history they came from. They will participate in different games, and will be encouraged to think creatively as they make up a character through choosing a piece of a costume to dress in. Their peers will be asked to make up a story about who they are and what they’ve done.
This practical workshop will enhance communication skills and collaboration, and covers storytelling, performance, improvising, and making.
Suitable for Key Stages 1-3
Available dates: Wednesdays and Thursdays from November 2024
We are thrilled to continue our Spring outdoor workshops with inspirational and charismatic aquatic expert, Pete the Pond.
We invite classes and groups to join us for a day at the Barn Theatre and Museum to discover the wildlife found in our grounds and museum, and create natural sculptures inspired by the wildlife and their habitats.
Suitable for Key Stages 1-3
We will be taking bookings for this from January 2025.
We have the following dates available to book:
Puppet Making Days: Wednesdays & Thursdays November-July(excluding school holidays)
History of Toys: Wednesdays & Thursdays November-July (excluding school holidays)
Character & Costume: Wednesdays & Thursdays November-July (exlcluding school holidays)
If you would like to visit on an alternative date, please get in touch and we can check availability of our creative team.
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.
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.
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.
Please complete the booking form below. For more information or to discuss date options please email office@thebrightfoundation.org.uk or ring 01424 559020.
Barn Theatre & Museum
Rodgers Farm
Stonestile Lane
Hastings
East Sussex
TN35 4PH
Registered address:
2 London Road
St Leonards-on-Sea
East Sussex
TN37 6AE
