“Thank you for an exciting learning experience!”
Key Stage 2 – Activities and Resources
A variety of workshops and trail sheets are available for Key Stage 2 classes. All visits can be tailor-made to meet your requirements. For differentiation purposes it may be useful to look also at the Key Stage 1 and the Key Stage 3 pages. Trails and guidance notes may be downloaded. A copy of our current leaflet, background, travel information and links to other useful websites can be found on the Teachers’ Page.
Many schools plan cross-site visits combining a trip to the cathedral with a visit to the castle, Guildhall Museum, Eastgate House or the Huguenot Museum. Speak to our Learning Team about linked programmes.
Prices
Our current prices for school visits are published here
All visits need to be pre-booked. Entry cannot be guaranteed without prior booking.
We have two lunchrooms with capacity for approx 30 students each. Lunchrooms need to be pre-booked and hire fees apply.
Please note that our lunchrooms are located up a steep flight of stairs. Alternative accommodation is occasionally available. Please phone to discuss details.
Workshops
Anglo Saxons An hour-long interactive workshop exploring the arrival of Christianity in Anglo Saxon Kent. The session explores the Anglo Saxon origins of the cathedral, introduces Anglo Saxon characters linked to the cathedral and includes an improvised drama workshop. Guildhall Museum linked workshop available.
Curriculum links: History, English, RE, Art and Design
Normans An hour-long interactive workshop exploring the impact of the Norman Invasion. The session includes an improvised re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings. Works well with a linked visit to the Castle/ Guildhall Museum.
Curriculum links: History, English, STEM
English Law from Anglo Saxons to Magna Carta An hour-long interactive workshop exploring English law from Anglo Saxon’s, through the medieval feudal system to Magna Carta. The session includes an improvised re-enactment of the 1215 siege of Rochester Castle. Works well with a linked visit to the Castle/ Guildhall Museum.
Curriculum links: SMSC (British Values), History, English
Charles Dickens An hour-long interactive tour and workshop exploring links between Charles Dickens and Rochester Cathedral. The session includes an optional improvised drama workshop on Great Expectations. Guildhall Museum linked workshop available.
Curriculum links: History, English
Interactive RE Mini-tour A 45 minute guided look around the cathedral followed by 15 minutes to explore in small groups. We will match the tour to the theme of your visit.
Curriculum Links: RE
Interactive History Mini-tour A 45 minute guided walk through the timeline of the cathedral from Anglo Saxons, through the Norman invasion to turbulent Tudor times followed by 15 minutes of self-guided exploration. We can match the tour to the theme of your visit.
Curriculum Links: History, STEM
Stories in Glass An hour-long session exploring the stories and messages in stained glass windows. Pupils will also be given the opportunity to design their own window.
Curriculum links: RE , Art & Design
Poor Man’s Bible A 45 minute guided exploration of some of the artwork in the cathedral. We decode the stories and messages in the stained glass windows, the green men, the fresco, the tiles and much more.
Curriculum links: RE, Art & Design, History
The Monastic Experience A 45 minute costumed activity exploring the life of the medieval Benedictine community here at Rochester. Teachers’ notes for this session can be downloaded and provide ideas for follow-up work back in school.
Curriculum links: RE, History, SMSC
Download teachers’ notes for the Monastic Experience
The Pilgrim Trail A 45 minute guided costume trail exploring the cathedral through the eyes of medieval pilgrims. Teachers’ notes for this session can be downloaded and provide ideas for follow-up work back in school.
Curriculum links: RE, History
Download teachers’ notes for the Pilgrims Trail
The Reformation Trail (or What the Tudors Did for Us) A 45 minute guided tour looking at the impact of the Tudors on Rochester Cathedral. We find out about the dissolution of the monastery, the lime-washing of the medieval wall paintings and the creation of the Church of England.
Curriculum links: RE , History
Heraldry A 45 minute introduction to heraldry. We explore the coats of arms of some of the Bishops of Rochester before designing our own heraldic shields.
Curriculum links: History / Art & Design
Tessellation A 30 – 45 minute workshop exploring shape pattern and tessellation through cathedral decoration. Students will work in groups to create their own tessellated pattern.
Curriculum links: Mathematics, Art and Design
Sound A 45 minute workshop exploring the science of sound. Students will create their own “bottle organ” as they explore pitch.
Curriculum links: STEM
Light A 45 minute workshop investigating the science of light. Students will become detectives to solve the mystery of why the medieval monks built their monastery on the south side of the cathedral.
Curriculum links: STEM
Materials & Structure A 45 minute workshop exploring the materials and methods used to build and decorate Rochester Cathedral.
Curriculum links: STEM
Special Activity Days
Explore Days Spend a day at the cathedral engaging in a variety of activities. Select a trail (see below) plus two workshops from the list above. The opportunity to conclude the day with a short act of worship is offered. Lunchrooms are offered free of charge as part of Explore Days. Available September – February (limited availability for booking March – July).
£5.40 incl VAT per pupil
Trail Sheets & Booklets
A member of the Learning Team will greet you and give a brief introduction to the cathedral before you begin to explore self-guided using one of the following sheets.
Short Trail Sheets
Be a Cathedral Detective A short trail exploring the outside of the cathedral and its environs. Allow 30 – 45 mins. Answer sheet available to download. Curriculum links - History
Download Be a Cathedral Detective sheet
Download Cathedral Detective answers
Be a Cathedral Investigator A short trail exploring highlights of the cathedral and gardens. Allow 30-45 mins. Answer sheet available to download.
Curriculum links: History
Download Be a Cathedral Investigator
Longer Trail Booklets
In God’s House A booklet style trail exploring the different rooms in the cathedral, allow 1 hour. Answer book available to download.
Curriculum links: RE
Download In God's House answers
Rochester Cathedral Trail A booklet style trail exploring the history of the cathedral. Allow 1 hour. Answer book available to download.
Curriculum links: History
