menu

EYFS / Key Stage 1 programme

Award winning workshops

Our award winning Early Years and Key Stage 1 programme offers fun and inspiring learning experiences helping children develop an understanding of the world around them and encouraging exploration, imagination and collaboration.

Under the sea schools programme at The National Maritime Museum Cornwall. Photo by Paul Abbitt.

Under the Sea

EYFS and Year 1: Cross Curricular
Meet Oceana a mischievious Cornish sea sprite who lives to collect things and bring them to the museum. Can you find the magical rhyme to wake her up to play? Learn about tides, handle real artefacts from the seabed, take part in an under the sea sound story and make your own boat to sail on our boat pool.

‘Very engaging – the pre-visit materials really enhanced the visit. The children were so excited and lots of topic learning will easily follow in class. When walking around the Museum, one child said, “Thank you for choosing this trip, it’s the best trip ever!”’
– Class Teacher, Illogan School (Under the Sea)

Duration: 2 x 45-minute activities, plus time to explore the museum (flexible)
Cost: £5.95 per pupil, adults free
Group Size: Typically up to 2 classes
Curricular Links: Click here for the ELGs and Curricular Links

Pirates: Fact and Fiction

KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in the locality. KS1 English: Speaking and listening.
Explore the truth about the golden age of piracy. Find out what pirate treasure really looked like and where in the world it came from using our giant floor map. Get hands-on in our object handling activity and investigate what weapons pirates used in battle. Discover the difference between a galleon and a deadly sloop and make your very own pirate ship to sail across our boat pool!

‘Great, varied exhibits; brilliant organisation and facilities provided by the Museum. They are very effective at engaging students – particularly good to give children who have not visited Museums before a positive experience.’
– Class Teacher, Kilkhampton Junior & Infant School (Pirates: Fact & Fiction)

Themes: Pirates | Maps and the World

Duration: 2 x 45 minute activities, plus time to explore the museum (flexible)
Cost: £5.95 per pupil, adults free
Group Size: Typically up to 2 classes

The Voyage of the Mystery

KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in the locality.
Join Job Kelynack on an adventure of a lifetime. Discover the true story of seven Cornish fishermen who sailed a tiny fishing boat on an incredible voyage from Newlyn to the goldfields of Australia. Through a spell-binding and interactive mix of film, storytelling and object investigation, children will be drawn into the story of what happened to the men as they set off in the tiny fishing boat Mystery.

On the way, they will discover the reasons why the fishermen decided to leave Cornwall, what life was like onboard Mystery, the places they visited and how they survived some very exciting storms!

Led by the Museum’s Learning Team, this captivating performance is complimented by a hands on sailboat making activity in which the children construct their very own ‘Mystery’ to sail across our boat pool.

‘Fantastic performance and activities – brings the topic to life. Essential to have these experiences to compliment class-based learning. It’s magical.’
– Class Teacher, Penponds School (Voyage of the Mystery)

Duration: 2 x 45-minute activities, plus time to explore the museum (flexible)
Cost: £5.95 per pupil, adults free
Group Size: Typically up to 2 classes

Wreck and Rescue

KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in the locality. KS1 English: Speaking and listening.
Hear the tragic story of HMS Anson that was wrecked on the Lizard in 1807 and the subsequent development of the rocket-propelled Breeches Buoy by Cornish inventor Henry Trengrouse . Take part in a dramatic recreation of a ‘rocket and breeches buoy’ rescue over the museum’s tide pool and investigate a range of replica and historic rescue artefacts as part of a full day of activities. Includes a chance to explore our RNLI Rescue Zone.

‘Our favourite trip – well run, exciting, informative and so ‘slick’ in terms of organisation. All children concentrating and engaged, a huge amount of learning in a short time. This experience as part of Cornish heritage is invaluable for local children.’
– Class Teacher, Gwinear School (Wreck & Rescue)

Duration: 2 x 45 minute activities, plus time to explore the museum (flexible)
Cost: £5.95 per pupil, adults free
Group Size: Typically up to 2 classes

Sir Francis Drake: The Queen’s Pirate

KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in the locality.
Come face to face with Queen Elizabeth I in our portrait investigation and get hands on with a giant floor map of the world as was known in 1570 as we create the backdrop of the Tudor age. Follow Francis Drake as he voyages around the world, take part in a raiding challenge with replica artefacts and make your own Tudor ship to sail on our large boat pool.

Themes: Tudors | Explorers | Voyages | Maps and the World

Duration: 2 x 45 minute activities, plus time to explore the museum (flexible)
Cost: £5.95 per pupil, adults free
Group Size: Typically up to 2 classes