Our busy Learning Department provides learning opportunities for all ages and abilities in the purpose-built Stavros Niarchos Foundation Learning Centre classroom and laboratory. School visits, CPD for teachers, family learning and more!
Key Stage 1 & 2: Primary School Programme
Discover life above and below decks on King Henry VIII’s favourite warship. Handle a wide range of replica artefacts to investigate how differently the officers and crew lived, worked and played at sea. Dressing up for all with our replica Tudor clothing – bring the camera for a brilliant photo opportunity for the whole class!
History (KS1)
History (KS2)
Work with real and replica artefacts to investigate Tudor materials, focusing on the properties of materials. Were they fit for purpose? How do they compare with modern materials, particularly plastic? Use digital microscopes to compare sample materials and see them in high definition to find out more about their properties and how they are conserved in the museum
KS2 Science
Dispel some of those myths about Tudor life. Are we fitter and healthier than our Tudor ancestors? A series of activities looking at diet and fitness via our skeletons, food and exercise is designed to answer this question. Handle replica artefacts to understand the impact of lifestyle on the officers and crew of the Mary Rose.
KS2 Science (Animals including humans)
A two-part challenge:
SMSC development:
KS2 History:
What was it like to live in the home port of the Mary Rose? Look at maps, handle replica artefacts and dress up to build up a picture of life in Portsmouth 500 years ago. How much has the City changed since the time of the Mary Rose? How does it compare to modern life?
KS2 History
Key Stage 3 & 4: Secondary School Programme
Why did the Mary Rose sink and why is she so significant? Engage in a genuine debate comparing conflicting primary sources on the sinking of the ship before voting for the most likely theory. Try to identify mystery replica artefacts. What does this amazing collection reveal about Tudor life?
KS3 History
Practical activities focus on two key areas: materials conservation and forensic science. Students use digital and light microscopes to look at real and replica materials from the Mary Rose. Which materials survive and why?
Discussion of the latest research on the skeletons from the wreck shows how DNA and isotope analysis has changed our view of the Tudors forever.
KS3 Science
Just how bad was Tudor medicine? How effective was the Mary Rose Surgeon? Using costumes and replica artefacts as props role-play the Surgeon and his patients in scenarios based on the Mary Rose crew. Medical practice must be strictly Tudor!
National Curriculum Link:
KS3 History
SMSC development
Examine Latin inscriptions found on the Mary Rose and explore their significance. Handle replicas to investigate what the Mary Rose collection tells us about the tumultuous reign King Henry VIII. Explore evidence of change and continuity in church, state and society, 1509 – 1545.
National Curriculum Link:
KS3 History
Why did the Mary Rose sink? Was the ship unstable or overloaded? Were there other factors? Test predictions relating to stability and load-bearing capacity of models. Use the scientific evidence to support or refute the theories, and consider what further evidence may be required.
KS3 History
KS3 Science
Post-16 Programme
See thousands of real artefacts all dating from 1545 in the museum, including some not found anywhere else in the world. Dr David Starkey calls it “England’s Pompeii” – one moment in time preserved for ever. Includes:
Meet the Museum Management Team and put key areas of business in context. Topics offered include: operational issues; customer service; marketing.
Includes:
Supports IB Theory of Knowledge and A Level Arts and Sciences
Encourage critical thinking in 16+ learning. A challenging inter-disciplinary day involving History, Science and Archaeology. Workshop sessions on the sinking of the Mary Rose involve:
Entrance to the Mary Rose Museum is on the right-hand side of the Dockyard gate. Bags may be searched. On arrival, make your way to the Mary Rose Museum. You may wish to visit the toilets in Boathouse 7 on route or use the toilets outside the Mary Rose Museum to the right of the main door. The Museum is 10 minutes’ walk from the main visitor entrance. Appropriate clothing should be worn in bad weather.
Please ensure that your pupils are supervised at all times. Teachers and adult helpers are free. Please make museum staff aware of any particular special needs to ensure we can give extra assistance where applicable.
If you have booked a workshop, you will be allocated a Volunteer to facilitate your museum visit. Please let us know if this is not required and you would rather be self-guided.
If you have not booked a workshop the museum element is self-guided. Upgrades to guided tours are available for an extra £1 per child.
The museum operates a one-way visitor route over three floors. This involves use of lifts and/or stairs. All areas can be accessed by lifts and ramps. A floor plan of the Museum for reference along with key areas to explore is included in this pack.
The aim is that visitors of all ages enjoy the experience of being in the museum:
Look See thousands of artefacts on show opposite the ship and watch the projections
Listen Sounds bring the three different levels to life
Touch Replica objects and other activities are available
Smell Find the real rope for a real Tudor scent!
Ask Museum Team Members are available to answer questions
The Museum is a very dark environment. It is lit dramatically to show the artefacts to their best advantage and to ensure that they do not suffer damage from the light.
You may wish to be aware that human remains are displayed on the lower and upper decks of the museum. The content of some displays e.g. the Surgeon may upset particularly sensitive children.
Due to the size and layout of the museum, children are at risk of getting lost if they stray from their group. Please strongly advise children to stay with their group. If they are lost or you realise someone is missing, inform a Museum Team Member who will activate our lost child procedure.
Museum Team Members are in uniform and wear identification badges. Mary Rose lanyards and badges are worn by staff in non-uniform. Approach anyone with any questions or concerns. They will be happy to help you or direct you to the appropriate place for help.
In order to ensure that all our visitors enjoy their visit to the full, please ensure that your pupils:
In the very unusual circumstance of groups or individuals behaving in an offensive or unreasonable manner, the Museum reserves the right to ask you to leave the site.
You will be met on arrival at the museum entrance. For later sessions, please arrive at the door to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Learning Centre (at the back of the Mary Rose Museum) 5 minutes before your workshop begins unless directed otherwise.
Coat and bag storage is available in the Learning Centre for groups who have booked workshops. However, we cannot take any responsibility for loss or damage to personal belongings. Please advise pupils to bring as little as possible and no valuable items.
We are very happy to accommodate SEND pupils. Just let us know how we can help.
Two emergency toilets are available in the Learning Centre for those undertaking workshops. Please make use of the main facilities outside at the front of the museum or in the Upper Deck gallery for whole group toilet breaks.
Toilets are available just outside the main Museum entrance and inside the Museum on the upper floor. Accessible toilets are located in the Learning Centre, in Reception and just outside the Museum.
A shared space for visiting schools in Boathouse 7 is available for children to eat their lunch. Visitors are not permitted to eat their own packed lunch in the Museum Cafe. Please note – this facility is approximately a 5 minute walk from the Museum. Alternatively, there are places to sit outside in fine weather.
The shop stocks pocket-money items. Please encourage pupils to move around the shop in small groups and have their money ready at the till. ‘Goody bags’ are also available to pre-order if time is tight.
We value feedback on visits. You and your pupils may be asked to fill in evaluation forms to help us to monitor our work.
Everything you need to know when planning your visit to the Mary Rose
Get your students some pre-knowledge of the Mary Rose with these downloadable pupil's guides
We require confirmed numbers together with full payment for your booking 21 days prior to your visit to the Mary Rose. Please note, if you have booked workshops, we require 21 days’ notice of cancellation. Cancellation within 21 days will incur charges.
