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.
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 January-May (excluding school holidays)
Please contact us to join a waiting list should one of our November dates become available.
History of Toys
This brand-new 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
Available dates: Wednesdays January-May (excluding school holidays)
9:45am-2:00pm
Outdoor learning
We are thrilled to continue our outdoor workshops this Spring with inspirational and charismatic aquatic expert, Pete the Pond.
We invite classes 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.
Further details coming soon.
Available dates: Thursdays 18 April, 25 April, 2 May, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May.
We have the following dates available to book:
Puppet Making Days: Wednesdays January-May (excluding school holidays)
Out of the Hat: Monday 30, Tuesday 31 October, Wednesday 1, Thursday 2 & Friday 3 November
History of Toys: Wednesdays January-May (excluding school holidays)
Outdoor learning: Thursdays Term 5 (April/May)
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 [email protected] 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
