Schools
Over 2000 young people attend schools within walking distance of the Abbey. A great many more are at schools within half an hour’s bus ride. The Abbey provides a safe and stimulating site for school visits and a resource for work in many areas of the curriculum. These range from the obvious RE and History-related topics, to work in Literacy, Numeracy and even Maths or Science. We are always keen to encourage organised school visits, for which there is no charge unless additional costs are incurred by us.
Practicalities
- Coaches usually drop children in Vicar Street, almost opposite the churchyard entrance.
- Toilets are available in the Abbey Schoolroom building near the Church Street/Vicar Street corner. A disabled toilet is available in the Abbey Hall foyer, but entry to this will need to be arranged in advance.
- Wheelchairs. The church is easily accessible to wheelchair users, and wheelchair is available on request.
- Schoolroom. The Abbey Schoolroom may be booked for a small fee, though it is up quite steep stairs. The schoolroom (with kitchen) can accommodate 30+ children for supervised activities or for eating lunch.
- Risk Assessments. Sample generic risk assessments are available on request {LINK}*
- Preparation. Please see the Teachers’ Section below for available printed resources. A preliminary visit to the Abbey, preferably to meet a member of the Abbey staff or volunteer team, is always advisable.
* Link to schools’ risk assessment document (RBW)
Teacher-led visits
Teachers are always welcome to bring groups of children to the Abbey. To avoid clashes with daily services, funerals, other group visits and events, please book in advance through the Abbey Office, Tel: 01953 607062, email: office@wymondhamabbey.org.uk. We recommend not more than one class of children working in the Abbey at a time. However, larger groups can be accommodated for introductory talks (see below). They can then be split into smaller groups, some inside, others looking at the building from outside, or working elsewhere (e.g. the riverside Tiffey Trail, Becket’s Chapel, town centre or Wymondham Heritage Museum.)
Free introductory talks and tours
The Abbey Youth Worker, Angela George, will be pleased to arrange to meet your group to welcome them to the Abbey. She will be pleased to talk to educational groups (all key stages) about the church and its use. Please telephone her well in advance on 01953 600473 (mobile: 07521 378171) to discuss your requirements.
Abbey stewards and volunteers are also available to meet groups and give short introductory talks or tours about the building and its history. Please contact the Head Steward, Roy Pulsford, on 01953 600297 to make arrangements.
Costumed Living History
[photo available]
The Abbey hosts occasional costumed living history recreations. Though mainly aimed at National Curriculum History at Key Stages 2 or 3, they can be adapted to suit different age groups or themes of study. Previous events have focused on the story of the dissolution of the monastery in 1538, for which a detailed schools information pack {LINK} * is available. However we would be pleased to work with teachers to develop other story lines such as life in a medieval monastery, or the visit of Queen Elizabeth in 1573.
Events usually last about two hours and take the form of a “carousel” of activities inside the church, in the schoolroom and outside in the churchyard. We usually use trained volunteer presenters working alongside professional enactors such as the musicians from the Norwich-based group Minstrels Gallery. Modest charges apply depending on numbers and additional costs incurred. Please contact Richard Barton-Wood for further details, email: abbeygarth@hotmail.com or telephone 01953 600800.
* LINK TO RESOURCE PACK – RBW
Art and Craft workshops and displays
[photo available]
The Abbey occasionally hosts Artists in Residence who may be able to offer workshops for local schools. The north aisle of the church provides a spacious and inspiring setting for practical art activities, subject to the need to preserve the dignity of the setting and protect the fabric from damage. We welcome suggestions for future events of this type – please contact Richard Barton-Wood (see above) with your ideas. The Abbey’s re-development project aims to provide new purpose-made educational facilities which will greatly enhance our ability to offer practical sessions on site in the future.
Subject to availability, the Abbey is happy to host exhibitions of art and craft work. These are normally displayed in the well-lit south aisle of the church. Please discuss your ideas in the first instance with Barbara Randall, email: barbara@stedmunds2.org.uk.