
Maritime material Handling session
What’s in the bag?
In this session, your pupils will investigate sealed bags containing a selection of materials used in shipbuilding. In groups, children model a ship hull shape from polymer and float it in our bespoke ship-model testing tank to discover how metal ships float even under wind and wave conditions.
Curriculum links: EYFS: C&L, PS & E, UTW KS1: English (Spoken Language), Science (Everyday Materials)
Make your own skipping rope
In this session, your pupils will investigate sealed bags containing a selection of materials used in shipbuilding. In groups, children model a ship hull shape from polymer and float it in our bespoke ship-model testing tank to discover how metal ships float even under wind and wave conditions.
Curriculum links: EYFS: C&L, PS & E, UTW KS1: English (Spoken Language), Science (Everyday Materials)


Jack and the flum fulm tree by Julian Donaldson
Jack’s Granny is sick with a bad case of the moozles! And the only cure is the fruit of the fantastic Flum Flum tree which grows on the faraway Isle of Blowyernose. Children take part in story time, deciding what they would take in their patchwork bag if they were going on a journey like Jack.
Curriculum links: EYFS: C&L, PS & E, EA&D. KS1: English (Spoken Language), Reading (Comprehension), Science (Everyday Materials), Art and Design
swashbuckling adventure
Pirates AhoY!
Board our historic sailing ship, HMS GANNET, to meet our resident pirate and experience the life of a swashbuckler first-hand. Dressing up, singing, playing percussion instruments and storytelling will fire your pupils’ imagination. Make your own pieces of eight to take back to class as souvenirs of your pirate adventure.
Curriculum links: EYFS: C&L, PD, PS & E KS1: English (Spoken Language), Reading (Comprehension), History, Music


Ship Building Challenge
Full Speed Ahead!
Stimulated by the National Maritime Museum model collection, pupils work in groups to build a ship’s hull and fit it with a motor. Facing the challenge of the tow tank wind and wave machine, groups compete against each other in trials, evaluating their designs.
Curriculum links: KS1: Design & Technology, Science (Forces, Working Scientifically), History (Local history), Mathematics (Measurement, Geometry, KS1 Design and Technology)
Rocket Launching
Ready, aim fire
Taking their inspiration from the Sea Cat missiles on board HMS CAVALIER, The Historic Dockyard’s own Destroyer, your pupils will work in teams to create rockets and fire them from our specially designed air pressure launcher, aiming to hit a target. Which team will sink the battleship?
Curriculum links: KS1: Science (Forces, Working Scientifically), Maths (Geometry)


victorian heroine
Grace darling
Experiencing the highlights of the largest collection of RNLI Historic lifeboats in the country, pupils will re-enact the inspirational story of Grace Darling in the atmospheric lifeboat station (weather permitting). Using costume, props and sound effects, they will bring this Victorian heroine’s story to life.
Curriculum links: EYFS C&L, PS&E, UTW KS1: History – Significant Individuals, English (Spoken Language, Reading (Comprehension), Art.