Family groups, school, university and adult parties are well catered for at the Palace
Over the last 25 years the education team has developed a wide range of educational resources. The department hold the Sandford Award for Excellence in museum education.
The site is suitable for finding out about the Romans and is ideal for children, students and teachers. Site specific activity books are available upon request and our education officer is happy to assist teachers to plan their visit.
The majority of school groups visiting the Palace take advantage of our workshop facilities.We offer hour long workshops in three purpose built rooms.
During the workshops students learn how archaeologists use evidence to find out about the past. The different types of workshops for schools and college groups will embellish their course work and inspire their thinking. The workshops take place during school term times and are led by a member of the Education Team. Workshops last approximately one hour.
The Palace provides the setting for the following activities:
Activity Workshops - Ideal for key stage 1 and 2 ages 7 upwards. Our Education Officer introduces ideas about the way archaeologists use evidence and experimentation to find out about aspects of Roman life.They are shown artefacts from the Palace excavations and ideas are presented and discussed with them.
The students use replica equipment and practical activities to learn new skills.For example, how to write with a stylus on a wax tablet, spin wool, weave on a warp weighted loom, make a mosaic, play games, or work in a 'Roman' kitchen.
The group are brought together towards the end of the workshop and individuals are encouraged to talk about their experience of the activities. Finally, selected children are dressed in Roman costume and the Roman kitchen is explained and used.
Celts and Romans Activity Workshop - Ideal for key stage 1 and 2 age 8 upwards. The focus of the workshop is on Celtic and Roman Life. Artefact handling, experimental equipment including model making spinning and weaving, games and writing is used to encourage children to make decisions about whether the activities they are undertaking were carried out by the Celts or the Romans. In some cases some of the activities on offer were carried out by both the Celts and the Romans. The session also includes an element of role play using the replica Roman kitchen with selected children dressed in Celtic and Roman costume.
Domestic Life Workshops - This workshop is suitable for key stage 2 and 3 and developed further for key stage 3 and 4 older history and classics students. The workshop is differentiated between key stages and the activities are age appropriate and encourage higher order thinking skills. Led by one of our Education Officers the workshop begins with a discussion about archaeological evidence, what survives in the ground and what can be interpreted from specific finds discovered during excavations of the Palace site.Students are introduced to ideas surrounding food and feasting followed by a group discussion about the lifestyles of the people who lived and workedin and around the Palace 2000 years ago.
The students will handle artefacts from the excavations such as pottery and stone. The students are encouraged to discuss their ideas in small groups their findings are then presented to the whole class.
During a role play session ideas about rich the aristocrats and the slaves are further developed.Selected students are dressed in 'Roman' costume and our 'Roman' kitchen is used.Maximum number of students per session is 35
Building Technology - The students visiting this workshop are presented with a selection of Roman construction materials.Working in small groups they discuss the nature of the materials, methods of manufacture and how and where the artefacts may have been used in the construction of the Palace.Archaeological methods are discussed and problem solving tasks using experimental methods are introduced.A cross sectional diagram is presented to aid the discussion.The workshop is suitable for students aged 10 to 15 years key stages 3 / 4
NEW - Military Matters
Key Stage 3 and 4.
After a general introduction to the site and
surrounding area, the students take part in artefact handling in small groups,
identifying and evaluating the pieces and presenting their conclusions to the group. They also carry out practical activities such as signalling, and writing
with reed pens. Replica armour and weapons are used to demonstrate the
legionary’s effectiveness as part of a fighting force.
Archaeology Workshop for 16+ age group - Designed with various options available to meet the needs of the Students. It is suitable for Archaeology, Ancient History and Classical Civilisation Students at GCSE, AS or A2 level. There is an introductory talk about the discovery, survey and excavation methods used at FishbourneRomanPalace.This is followed by an activity session. One or Two selections are made from either: Survey and Excavation.Students will examine records and carry out a desk top survey usingrecords of the surveys and excavations of the Palace site and area. Techniques and Methods. Students will handle artefact found during excavations of the site, then analyse and record them.Students will use samian ware for a dating exercise. Identification and Interpretation. Students will examine an assemblage of artefacts and by identification and interpretation, will determine the possible lifestyles and culture of the various people who lived and worked in the Palace or its surroundings. Experimental Archaeology. Students will examine artefactsand test specific hypotheses such as roof tile construction and assemblage, lamp manufacture orwriting equipment then draw their own conclusions.
Leisure and Tourism / Business studies - GCSE and AS students are introduced to the Sussex Archaeological Society and specifically FishbourneRomanPalace.Statistical information - marketing plans - diversification and development - education - meeting the needs of visitors - Poster Design option.Discussion with class teacher prior to visit is necessary to meet course requirements.
PGCE students - Graduate and Teacher Trainees use practical activities and discussion to understand how schools use museum visits. Resource materials are presented to illustrate methods used at FishbourneRomanPalace.
Special workshops can be tailored to specific group needs please contact Suzanne Evans, Senior Education Officereducfish@sussexpast.co.uk
Teacher Inset - Day couses are presented to school teaching staff on various topics including - Handling and using objects, Getting the most from a museum visit, Discovering Archaeology - full details on request from Suzanne Evans educfish@sussexpast.co.uk
Adult Courses - In partnership with University of Sussex Centre of Continuing Education a series of academic courses is presented.Topics include Geology, Exploring Egypt, Sussex Landscapes and the Roman Army. For further details telephone 01243 785859
Day Schools - In partnership with West Sussex Adult Education a series of one day weekend courses is presented.Topics includemaking mosaics, sculpture, Introduction to archaeology,Archaeology of animals, Family history and Roman garden design. For further detailswww.westsussex.gov.uk/adulteducation or telephone 012...
Conference facilities - Available for independent use or for full day courses tailored to made suit specific group requirements.Our Rudkin Room workshop seats 45 – 50 people with OHP, Slide Projector, Digital Projector, Television, and Interactive White Board. A catering service can be arranged. For further information please contact Phil Davies email: tradingfish@sussexpast.co.uk
