Working with Primary Schools

The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust is delighted to announce a new initiative in partnership with Teach Me Courses, local primary schools and the medieval churches on Romney Marsh. It is thanks to the support of our members, donors and volunteers that such projects are possible.

Above photos courtesy of Brookland Primary

This year we have been holding Church & Craft workshops, held within the historic churches on Romney Marsh. Local primary school children have enjoyed learning about the features and history of these incredible buildings, and participating in a fun creative activity inspired by church architecture or history.

So far four schools have participated, with a total of 217 children involved in workshops. The sessions started back in January with Brookland C of E Primary at St. Augustine’s Church, followed by St. Nicholas CE Primary at St. Nicholas’ Church, New Romney. Workshops have also been held at Dymchurch and Lydd, and we are now exploring options for further sessions in other locations this Summer.

Rev. Shuna Body (at Brookland), Rev. Jack Greenhalf (at Lydd) and Rev. Chris Hodgkins (at Dymchurch), and a number of church volunteers enjoyed meeting the children and showing groups around the ancient churches - a wonderful intergenerational activity for all.

Many thanks to all of the children, school staff, churchwardens and artistic facilitators who have helped make these sessions such a success. These community activities, run in partnership with the artists behind The Marsh Mosaics, are helping to breathe new life into the ancient churches of Romney Marsh.

We’re now planning a similar public event, with a discount for our members - find out more

We’ve received some wonderful feedback from the Schools: 

Brookland Primary School: “The feedback from our children has been amazing, they thoroughly enjoyed the activity, it was fun, captivating and creative! Our teachers and support staff thought the workshop was phenomenal, the organisation of the event was extremely well thought out, no stone left unturned, it was age appropriate, easy to follow instructions and mess free! The staff were able to enjoy the event – just as much as the kids.”

New Romney Primary School: “It was fantastic to see the children come back into school so proud of their work and having had such a great time…. thank you for giving our children such an opportunity.”

Lydd Primary School: “Year 5 and 6 were given an amazing opportunity to take part in a workshop in the church.  The children all had a fantastic time designing and making their own gargoyle and all commented on how much they had enjoyed being in the church.  The session was brilliantly organised and pitched at the right level for the children in order to engage and motivate them.  The sessions culminated in a hunt for objects around the church and they were able to ask lots of questions about different things that they saw.” 

Dymchurch: “The children in our school had a fantastic time yesterday. The art activities were fantastic and the children were so engaged. They also loved being able to explore the church and learn some of the history. Thank you again for providing our children with an amazing experience.”