Our Ethos
The Learning and Engagement Programme at The Kent Mining Museum is built around four core values: Collaborate, Learn, Support and Play.
We believe that active learning through experience and experiment is fundamental to make your visit educational, informative and unforgettable and that engagement should be accessible to all.
Why visit us?
- Support local Kent Heritage
- Hear unique and authentic voices from the mining community
- Collaborative cross curricular learning experiences
- Support and enrich curriculum learning
- Explore and engage with local and national history
- Experiment and experience STEAM activities
- Accessible and engaging activities for all ages and abilities
Have fun!
What does a visit include?
An example visit may include*:
Become an Exhibit Explorer around the Museum itself,
Meet a Miner questions and answers,
complete an activity of your choice.
*other package options are avaliable
We have a dedicated Learning Space, funded by the Clore Duffield Foundation where we host our fun, engaging, creative and inspiring workshops.
Our themed play area and apparatus are available for children to run off spare energy during breaks between sessions and at lunch times.
For our all-day visitors, we will provide you with a safe, clean indoor lunch space where possible.
Meet a Miner
One of our most valuable resources are our marvelous miners. A unique and enlightening way to gain insight into past lives, is to “Meet a Miner” who worked in the Kent Coalfield.
This is an opportunity to ask questions and learn from firsthand experience what it was really like to work down the pits and obtain an authentic understanding of working for one of the most important industries in the UK.
School visits can include a session where children can meet a miner, handle genuine objects and artefacts and take part in a question-and-answer session. This is a great local history study, and allows for lots of cross-curricular learning inspired by the visit, including science, art and literacy.
Sessions are tailored to different age groups as required.
Exhibit Explorer
Children are helped by Ross the mouse, to find various objects within the museum. They are encouraged to write about them or draw the artefacts and hunt for fascinating facts. Older visitors can try their luck at team code-breaking challenges around the museum.
Workshops and activities
Which subjects do we support?
We recognise the importance of supporting the National Curriculum, and have designed our programme to support, compliment and enrich key areas. Aspects of Literacy, History, Geography, Citizenship, Wellbeing, Science, Design and Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) are all reflected within our workshops.
Which ages do our workshops suit?
Our workshops can be tailored to meet your individual needs or age requirements, and are planned by an experienced, thoughtful and skilled Learning Team. Choose a theme, subject or topic you are interested in and let us do the rest. If you would like to explore a different theme or learning focus to those listed, our Learning Team will be happy to support you. Please contact us by emailing learning@betteshangerparks.co.uk
We also welcome visits from youth/childrens’ community groups and societies. Please get in touch to discuss this option further.
How can I book?
Simply complete the form below and we will be in touch to confirm your booking and to tailor your visit to your requirements.
Download Booking FormAdditional helpful information and Accessibility details
Risk Assessment Guidance Sensory Map of Museum Familiarisation Pack
If there is anything we can provide you with to facilitate your visit, please get in touch with us by emailing learning@betteshangerparks.co.uk