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Workshops

Stories Uncovered

Discover some of the many stories hidden amongst the Museum’s collection of objects. Join us for storytelling, singing, movement and making at one of our 45-minute workshops for Foundation Stage schools.

Accident and Emergency: St John Ambulance in Victorian Britain

Key Stage 1 and 2 (Citizenship, History, English and Drama)

Through role play, costume and object handling, discover what life was like in Victorian Britain and how St John Ambulance came to play such an important role in the nation’s health care.

St John Ambulance: Saving Lives on the Home Front

Key Stage 2 Citizenship, History, English and Drama

Explore the former headquarters of St John Ambulance’s Number One Division and step into the shoes of some of the brave volunteers who saved countless lives during London’s Blitz.

The Crusades and The Knights Hospitaller

Key Stage 3 (History and English) and Further Education

Consider the significance of key events, by examining up close crusader artefacts including coins, armour, stone fragments, and a 16th century model of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Students will also explore the Norman crypt of the Priory Church of St John, location of Henry II’s council with the Patriarch of Jerusalem in 1185, which aimed to secure a strong successor to the throne of Jerusalem.

Mystery at the Museum: Conservation in Action

Key Stage 2 and 3 (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths)

Become a museum detective observing, experimenting and problem solving, as you discover the science behind keeping our objects safe.

Resources: KS2 Creative writing with collections

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KS2 Creative writing with collections

Ignite the imagination exploring five intriguing objects from the Museum collection.

Resources: To Jerusalem and Back Again: Objects of the Crusades KS3 Lesson Pack

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Teacher's Notes

We have created this pack to support teachers and help Key Stage 3 pupils to learn about the crusades using real medieval objects from our collection.

This lesson pack has been created in partnership with Dr William Purkis of the University of Birmingham and draws extensively on new research undertaken as part of the Bearers of the Cross: Material Religion in the Crusading World, 1095–c.1300 project, which was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

The resources can be used both in the classroom and online as part of digital home learning.

This project has been funded by the University of Birmingham.

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Presentation: To Jerusalem and Back Again

Resources: At home workshops

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Accident and Emergency: St John Ambulance in Victorian Britain

This is an adaptation of our onsite workshop for use during the pandemic. Our onsite workshops will be resuming in September.

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Tudor Treasures: Curator for a Day

Discover what life was like in the Order’s London Priory, and how their once close relationship with Henry VIII came to a sudden end. Activities encourage students to take on the role of museum curators as they uncover more about this fascinating period of the Order’s history.

Booking

The Museum of the Order of St John is free to visit however, workshops are charged at £2.50 per child plus VAT. 

If your school is based within Islington, workshops can be arranged free of charge through 11 by 11. The Museum’s participation in this scheme is supported by a grant from The Goldsmiths’ Company Charity. 

For Greater London schools for whom the cost of a workshop may be prohibitive (e.g. schools with a high number of pupils eligible for Pupil Premium), please contact us as it may be possible to waive the charge. 

Please note that booking is essential even for self-guided visits.

Workshops last 1.5 hours and can be arranged Tuesday – Friday. For more information or to book, please contact us

Further information 

Special schools and SEND Units 

All our activities can be adapted, please talk to us about your requirements when you book. 

Cancellation 

If you need to cancel your booking, please give us at least two weeks notice. Cancellations must be submitted in writing to museum@sja.org.uk 

Late Arrival 

If you arrive late on the day, we cannot guarantee that your booked sessions will take place. You may therefore be offered alternative activities (possibly self-guided). 

Lunch 

Where possible we will endeavour to provide groups who have booked a visit/workshop with a space to eat their packed lunches. 

Coats and bags 

Space is available in our cloakroom for coats and bags, but no valuables should be left unattended. 

Shop 

School groups are welcome to make purchases in the Museum Shop, but because of space restrictions we ask for no more than 5 students in the shop at once. Children must be supervised at all times. 

Adult supervision 

For school visits we require the following staff to pupil ratios: 

  • Special schools – 1:5 
  • Primary schools – 1:6 
  • Secondary schools – 1:15 

Teachers and Group Leaders are responsible for the behaviour and general health and safety of their pupils and groups within the Museum. Teachers, leaders, and accompanying adults should remain with their groups at all times for their health and safety, and in case of evacuation. 

Risk Assessment 

A generic risk assessment will be sent with your booking confirmation. It is intended to be a framework for groups to create their own risk assessment which meets the needs of their group. 

Safeguarding 

The Museum of the Order of St John is committed to ensuring access to its collections for children and vulnerable adults and that everyone who accesses premises, exhibitions, staff, and resources  should be safe and protected from harm. 

For more information about St John’s safeguarding policy, please contact Linda Dominguez, Head of Safeguarding: 

020 7324 4285 

linda.dominguez@sja.org.uk