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We are offering a range of modified programmes during the pandemic. Normal programmes will resume as soon as possible.

Due to the recent challenges caused by pandemic we have been busy adapting our programmes (both the indoor and outdoor) to make them available to, and affordable for, as many key stage 2 pupils as possible. Call or email us to learn more about how we can help your pupils learn about the geography, history and ecology of the river.

FORESHORE SESSIONS

We run educational programmes at 8 sites, from Kew in West London to Greenwich (see map). Our programmes have been modified to address the recent restrictions and we can currently offer the following foreshore sessions:

Rivers and Environmental Issues (available now):  Geography with history and science links. Available at Kew, Chiswick and Fulham Palace.

Archaeology for All (available now):  History with geography links. Available at Fulham Palace, Millennium Bridge, Southwark and Greenwich.  

Investigating the Thames (available now): Geography history and science. Available at Greenwich. 

Foreshore sessions can be taken as standalone lessons or combined with one of our other indoor activities (on a separate day) to make a full days learning programme. For example:

foreshore session plus outreach session

foreshore session plus self guided session 

foreshore session plus Zoom session

Call us to find out more 

020 8742 0057

Duration: 120 mins

Cost:  £220 per class

Location: See map below

Outreach

One of our staff can travel to your school within the M25 area to deliver the indoor component of our river learning sessions. Thanks to funding we have been translating our interactive indoor activities into classroom friendly versions. Each session will include learning materials that can be retained by the class and subsequently built on. 

Programmes include:

Rivers and Environmental Issues (available now):  Geography with history and science links. 

Archaeology for All (available ealy December):  History with geography links.  

Investigating the Thames (available early December):  Geography history and science. 

Outreach sessions can be booked as standalone learning 

experiences or can be combined with a foreshore visit on another day to make a complete learning experience. 

PLA sessions

As well as paid outreach we can offer free outreach sessions made possible through funding from our partners, the Port of London Authority. These sessions have become increasingly popular and are a great asset to any school wishing to learn about world trade and the role the Thames played in making London great. These sessions are available free of charge to state schools.  

Call us to find out more 020 8742 0057

Duration: 120 mins

Cost: £220 per class

Location: See map

TEACHING SITES

We operate from the following sites. Click the side menu to sort by subject, course or location.

Zoom

Thames Explorer has been busy translating the indoor element of our key programmes into a format which will allow us to deliver sessions to your school through the medium of Zoom, to make an interactive, memorable learning experience for your class. Zoom programmes include:

Rivers and Environmental Issues (available now):  Geography with history and science links. 

Archaeology for All (now booking for spring term):  History with geography links.  

Investigating the Thames (now booking for spring term):  Geography history and science. 

Zoom sessions include a mailed out interactive pack suitable for 32 children (4 groups of 8) and a live, 90 minute interactive session with a Thames Explorer teacher. Call us to find out more 

020 8742 0057

Duration: 90 mins per class

Cost including resources: £220 single class, £370 two classes on the same day

Location: At your location

Self guided sessions

Coming in the spring term.

Thanks to funding we are busy developing three of our key classroom sessions so they can be run by you, in your classroom, at your own pace. A self-guided pack of resources will be sent to your school (suitable for 32 children – 4 groups of 8), along with a link to a series of modular videos to talk your class through the session. Programmes will include:

Rivers and Environmental Issues:  Geography with history and science links. 

Archaeology for All:  History with geography links.  

Investigating the Thames:  Geography history and science.

Call us to find out more 020 8742 0057

Keep an eye on our school webpage or call us to find out more 

020 8742 0057

Duration: At your own pace.

Cost Estimated to be £90 per class. 

Location: At your location

Explore by key stage

Explore by location

Explore by subject

Download our brochure, booking and cancellation form.

School Brochure 2022
Booking form
Cancellation form

TEACHING SITES

We operate from the following sites. Click the side menu to sort by subject, course or location.

Location description

Kew Bridge, TW8 0EN

Fieldwork takes place on the foreshore just downstream of Kew Bridge and along the historic riverside at Strand on the Green. It’s a 15 minute walk between the river and the London Museum of Water and Steam where indoor activities take place. Viewing the museum should be arranged separately with our partners.

Chiswick Pier, W4 2UG

Our Thames Education Centre in Chiswick is managed by the Chiswick Pier Trust. Fieldwork takes place on the riverside and pier as well as on the foreshore by Chiswick Eyot. The site includes natural features which show evidence of erosion and deposition, something hard to find in London.

Fulham Palace, SW6 6EA

Fulham Palace is managed by the Fulham Palace Trust and has been the home of the Bishops of London since around 700 AD. Archaeological evidence of Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlers has been found here, as well as the foundations of a medieval palace. We have been granted special permission to use the foreshore at this site, as there is no public access.

Southwark, SE1 9DT

Fieldwork takes place on the foreshore and riverside, along the Southbank by Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and Tate Modern (where toilets and hand washing facilities may be accessed). We do not have indoor facilities at this site. Groups doing our Thames and Tudor Life programme can extend their visit by exploring the Golden Hinde 2, a full-scale replica of Sir Francis Drake’s famous ship.

Museum of London and the Millennium Bridge, EC2Y 5HN

We offer programmes in partnership with the Museum of London. Fieldwork takes place on the riverside and foreshore near St Paul’s Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge. It’s a 15 minute walk between the foreshore and the Museum where classroom based investigations take place. Viewing the museum’s galleries is free and can be arranged on request (this excludes special exhibitions).

Bubble Theatre Rotherhithe, SE16 4JD

Programmes at this new venue are offered in partnership with the Bubble Theatre in Rotherhithe. Indoor activities take place in the theatre building, while outdoor activities take place on the nearby riverside and foreshore which is rich in both history and geography.

Museum of London Docklands, E14 4AL

We offer programmes in partnership with the Museum of London Docklands situated in West India Docks, an area rich in Thames history. It’s a 15-minute walk between the foreshore and the museum where classroom based investigations take place. Viewing the museum’s galleries is free and can be arranged on request (excludes special exhibitions).

Greenwich – 10a Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9LW

Fieldwork takes place on the riverside and foreshore in front of the Old Royal Naval College. On booking we will advise you on whether your visit will take place at venue 10a or 10b, both venues are in close proximity to each other and the river.

Indoor facilities are managed by the Greenwich Foundation that cares for the historic Old Royal Naval College. Due to limited availability full day programmes for 17-18 are now fully booked however we still have availability for half day programmes and we have an alternative venue close-by for those wanting to do a full day programme. Viewing the college should be arranged separately with our partners.

Greenwich – 10b Trafalgar Rowing Centre, SE10 9NP

Fieldwork takes place on the riverside and foreshore in front of the Old Royal Naval College. On booking we will advise you on whether your visit will take place at venue 10a or 10b, both venues are in close proximity to each other and the river.

Indoor facilities are managed by The Trafalgar Trust who oversee this community facility. The Trafalgar Rowing Club teaching space enjoys great views across the river.

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