School Visits to the Quaker Tapestry
We welcome school and college groups of all ages to the Quaker Tapestry, and can tailor the work we offer for young people to your needs. We like to discuss the various options with the class teacher well before your visit. This page provides the answers to questions commonly asked by schools, to help you plan your visit to the Quaker Tapestry. For general information about visits to the Quaker Tapestry, please refer to the Your Visit section of our website.
What do we offer schools?
We have special prices for school visits, of £2.00 per child (aged 5-16), with free admission to all accompanying adults. We offer schools a wide variety of activities, developed with teaching staff and the Quaker Tapestry team according to the needs of the age group visiting and the national curriculum.
We can work with you to develop activities linked to various aspects of the curriculum, including citizenship, art and design – textiles, religious education and history. We have a range of activity sheets and teaching aids that we use with school groups, including an interactive CDROM. Examples of the type of activity we can develop for you include:
Citizenship We have a special programme set up where your older pupils can, after you have discussed it with us, plan the visit themselves through a carefully structured brief and links with the Tapestry Staff.
Art and Design The Quaker Tapestry represents Quaker life through stories in textiles. It is an ideal inspiration and starting point for developing children’s designs. Learn how children had a big part to play in the designing and making of the Tapestry.
Religious Education Compare our place of worship with other churches in the area. Sit together in the meeting room and through quiet activities experience a little of a Quaker meeting. Dress up in the plain clothes of early Quakers. Do special treasure hunts to find out more.
History Quakers started many manufacturing businesses including Huntley and Palmer, Fry’s, Cadbury’s, and Rowntree’s. Learn about the important changes Quakers made to the lives of their workers and their families. Find out about their stories through the pictures in the Tapestry panels. Discover what the Quakers did in the 1940-45 war.
How much time is needed for a school visit?
We have school visits which last anything from one hour to all day. The sessions can be tailored to fit your needs after discussion with the teacher.
What facilities do we have for schools?
As well as the exhibition itself, we have a large meeting room where we gather your school group at the start and finish of each visit. Our Quaker Garden can be used for picnic lunches in fine weather. We also have a school room available for hire at a cost of £20.00. This room can also be booked for eating your picnic lunch if the weather is too cold or damp to sit outside in the Quaker Garden.
Are Quaker Tapestry staff involved in school visits?
The Quaker Tapestry team is happy to participate in your visit, and we have qualified teachers amongst our staff and volunteers who can help you plan your visit, contribute to the activities on the day and lead teaching activities with the children.
Is the exhibition accessible to everyone?
We offer a warm welcome to everyone at the Quaker Tapestry and the Exhibition Centre is professionally designed with facilities for all. We have step-free access via the Stramongate entrance to the building. The whole Exhibition Centre, including the shop and Tearooms, is easily accessible to wheelchair users. We also have toilet facilities for all. Our Access Statement can be downloaded here.
Is there a coach drop off point nearby?
There is a convenient coach drop off point directly outside our Stramongate entrance, with parking for coaches situated a few minutes away at Blackhall Road. Directions to the Quaker Tapestry and a map can be found here.
Arrangements for booking a school visit to the Quaker Tapestry?
We would be happy to talk to you about planning a tailor-made visit for your school. To book your visit and talk through your plans for your day:
Contact Sandra Rose Timson, our Operations Manager, on 01539 722975, between 9.30 am and 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday or e mail info@quaker-tapestry.co.uk or download our Primary Schools booking form here, complete the booking form and return it to:
The Quaker Tapestry Exhibition Centre and Tearooms, Friends Meeting House, Stramongate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4BH