School and college workshops
Our interactive online and onsite school workshops inspire and engage students with The MERL collections from Early Years to FE. They support the national curriculum through role-play, exploration, creativity and object investigation, bringing the countryside’s history to life in engaging and dynamic ways with differentiated opportunities to accommodate your students’ needs.
On this page, browse the different options that learning groups can enjoy. Click the tabs below to filter by key stage.
Early years
The MERL is an exciting setting for early years learning offering a range of fun and multisensory workshops, in and out, as well as online resources.
Key Stage 1
A range of workshops are on offer which are designed to support the KS1 curriculum including subjects such as history, science, literacy, art, design and technology in sessions which take place inside and out. If an onsite visit is not possible, many of our sessions are available virtually.
Key Stage 2
A visit to The MERL can enhance KS2 teaching in an invigorating and inspiring setting, offering hands-on and creative opportunities inside and out.
Key Stage 3
Our innovative secondary learning programme draws inspiration from both The MERL’s nationally significant and varied collections alongside our role as a University of Reading museum. Our secondary workshops celebrate this unique offer, with opportunities to develop transferable study skills, explore how our collections connect with current research, raise awareness of opportunities at Higher Education and increase understanding of careers in arts and heritage.
Key Stage 4
Our innovative secondary learning programme draws inspiration from both The MERL’s nationally significant and varied collections alongside our role as a University of Reading museum. Our secondary workshops celebrate this unique offer, with opportunities to develop transferable study skills, explore how our collections connect with current research, raise awareness of opportunities at Higher Education and increase understanding of careers in arts and heritage.
Key Stage 5
Our innovative secondary learning programme draws inspiration from both The MERL’s nationally significant and varied collections alongside our role as a University of Reading museum. Our secondary workshops celebrate this unique offer, with opportunities to develop transferable study skills, explore how our collections connect with current research, raise awareness of opportunities at Higher Education and increase understanding of careers in arts and heritage.
SEND
The MERL is a museum which is a perfect and exciting setting for SEND learners drawing on multi-sensory learning opportunities designed with a flexible approach in partnership with SEND teaching staff. We provide inclusive learning experiences which support all learners, inside and outside.
What teachers say
“The potential is limitless for our children […] this is a little workshop that can take you anywhere.”
The Arbib Education Trust
“The children loved the session and were engaged the whole time.”
Katesgrove Primary School
“We have been visiting The MERL garden for five years and each session we attend it is always different, varied and magical.”
The Abbey Junior School
“Brilliant. Just perfect.”
Brookfields School
“Our group have been learning about rural life. The resources tally with what the children have seen in school. Handling the objects meets a key curriculum descriptor which is challenging to provide in school. Thank you for all your help and a lovely experience.”
Alfred Sutton Primary School
Get in touch
If you’d like any further information about our workshops and our schools offer, or have any questions, please contact our Learning and Engagement Manager at merlevents@reading.ac.uk.