Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust is proud to announce a new scheme that will enable free school visits to The Historic Dockyard Chatham for up to 900 students from high pupil premium schools in Medway. This has been made possible through the generosity of £14,213 from The Charles Burnett III Memorial Fund, administered by Kent Community Foundation.
The “Dockyard Discoverers” programme will provide underprivileged children and young people in Medway an opportunity to access the Historic Dockyard’s award-winning Learning Programmes. Pupils will be treated to a fun and interactive learning experience, where the principles of STEM are explored, explained and linked to the national curriculum.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham was the height of innovation and engineering for over 400 years. Young learners will be inspired by the rich, authentic and varied learning environment. Activity sessions will be tailored to the needs of each school group and its learning needs – with the Historic Dockyard and its Learning team providing the perfect educational setting outside of the classroom.
The Historic Dockyard’s Learning Programme has recently received accolade from the Sandford Award, giving national recognition to the quality of the learning provision on offer.
Stephen Billington, Head of Lifelong Learning, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust said:
“At Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust we actively listen to the needs and challenges of local schools and we are committed to supporting their educational goals. High Pupil Premium schools are often subjected to financial constraints that inhibit school visits to local attractions, which in turn reduces opportunities for beyond the classroom learning. The Dockyard Discoverers programme will provide an enriching STEM learning experience that goes beyond the core curriculum.”
Natalie Smith, Director of Grants and Impact and Deputy Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation said:
“We are incredibly pleased that the grant awarded through Kent Community Foundation from the Charles Burnett III Memorial Fund, is helping to engage young people who may otherwise miss out on such opportunities. Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust is particularly interested in heritage and engaging young people in science and technology, so this proposal was the perfect match.”
Hannane Ford, Development Manager, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust said:
“We are incredibly grateful to The Charles Burnett III Memorial Fund and Kent Community Foundation for the £14,213 grant that is set to positively impact 900 students across Medway. Engaging students in hands-on STEM sessions outside the classroom can be extremely impactful, fostering curiosity and inspiring future interest in the fields of Science and Technology. The Dockyard Discoverers programme has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of students who might not otherwise visit the Historic Dockyard’s valuable educational resource. At Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust we are committed to breaking down barriers to STEM education and outdoor learning by working in partnership with teachers and schools.”
Registration is now open for schools
Medway schools can register interest in the Dockyard Discoverers Programme via emailing the Learning Team at learning@chdt.org.uk
School Eligibility
The Dockyard Discoverers Programme is open to Medway Infant, Primary and Secondary Schools whose number of Free School Meal students is above the Medway average based on the latest published Ever 6 Free School Meals data.
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