Home education & partner-led sessions
From facilitator led home education sessions to theatre and performance-arts-based sessions from Xenogenesis, explore additional learning opportunities.

Home education groups
From Stone Age to Victorians, our facilitator led sessions can be adapted to fit the needs of your home education group.
Early Year's Foundation Stage: Bee-utiful creatures
Explore the hidden world of insects!
90 mins/£130 per session
Pupils will discover the importance of insects through storytelling, songs and hands-on activities. They will talk about the differences between insects and venture into the outdoors to find insects in their natural habitat. We will then search for one of the most important insects of all, bees! Pupils will visit our very own bee hives to talk about why caring for bees is important, before creating their own bee hotel to take home.
National Curriculum Links:
- Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants
- Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting
- environments, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class
- Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.
- Sing a range of well-known nursery rhymes and songs.
Key Stage 1: Plants
Is a tree a plant?
90 mins/ £130 per session
Explore exiting and unique botanical specimens in the historical garden of Fulham Palace. Pupils learn about the plants of Fulham Palace and their history, such as rare specimens imported by Bishop Henry Compton, and a 500-year-old tree which Elizabeth I would have seen. Pupils engage in a variety of tests, such as identifying plants from botanic drawings, the parts of a plant, and finding and identifying different trees on the Palace grounds. Finally, they meet George London, the head gardener during the reign of Charles II, to be tested for a gardening position at Fulham Palace.
National Curriculum Links:
- Identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees.
- Identify and describe the basic structure of a variety of common flowering plants, including trees.
Key Stage 1: Toys & their materials
Let’s play: toys of the 20th century
90 mins/ £130 per session
How have toys changed through the 20th century? What everyday materials are they made from? Interactive and stimulating activities allow pupils to learn about the science of materials by handling authentic and replica 20th-century toys. Pupils discover toys played with by children during the early, mid and late 20th century.
By sorting toys onto a timeline, and creating imaginary toys, pupils explore the properties of materials such as wood and why these were used at the time. They also touch a real Victorian porcelain doll, and produce their own ‘make do and mend’ peg dolls, inspired by the Fisher family who lived in the Palace during World War II. Finally, with a focus on recycling, they handle modern toys made from reused waste plastic.
National Curriculum Links:
History
- Changes within living memory
Science
- Distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
- Identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock
- Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
- Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials based on their simple physical properties.
Key Stages 1 & 2: Stone Age
Could you survive in a Stone Age community?
90 mins/£130 per session
Stone Age is an exciting, all-outdoors exploration of life in a community which lived at Fulham Palace 6,000 years ago. Pupils create their own Stone Age settlement using the plentiful resources of the land and river. The spiritual importance of the river challenges pupils to ask perceptive questions including why archaeologists discover prehistoric objects within its watery depths.
Pupils handle replica Stone Age tools found at Fulham Palace, such as flints, arrowheads and hand axes. To build the settlement, they devise traps and shelters, identify and look for useful plants and use art to make the community space their own. Finally, they will take part in a ceremony to celebrate the importance of the river.
National Curriculum Links:
- Devise and ask perceptive questions
- Develop a secure knowledge about the Stone Age
Key Stages 1 & 2: Romans
The Fulham Roman villa
90 mins/ £130 per session
Who were the Romans? What was Roman life like? How did the Roman Empire change Britain?
Travel back in time to AD 208, and experience living in the Fulham Roman villa. Pupils wear costumes from our extensive collection; grind spices on mortaria, and handle original Roman objects. Pupils will put themselves in the sandals of Britons and Romans, and learn how daily life was changing under the rule of Emperor Septimius Severus. They will recreate the villa, discuss and debate the issues of the time including changes in culture and beliefs.
National Curriculum Links:
- Explore the historical concept of change, cause and consequence
- Study the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain including technology, culture and beliefs through the study of the Fulham Palace villa site
Key Stages 1 & 2: Vikings & Anglo-Saxons
War or peace?
90 mins/ £130 per session
It is AD 878, Viking Invaders are in their longboats, journeying across the stormy seas, around the rocky British coast, safely up the Thames to finally settle at Fulham.
Pupils will learn how archaeologists date items and use re-enactment to understand the past. Additional historical evidence is deciphered using the Anglo-Saxon chronicles (AD 871 – 899), which record the events of AD 878. Pupils will be challenged to ask perceptive questions about Anglo-Saxon defences at Fulham, why the Vikings left their homeland and what happened when they arrived on the border with Alfred’s forces at Fulham.
Pupils handle replica objects, such as Viking armour, weapons, jewellery and coins and wear Viking costumes. They re-enact the journey from Scandinavia through music and drama. To conclude the session, pupils discuss whether they think the Danelaw border at Fulham was warlike or peaceful.
National Curriculum Links:
- Viking raids and invasion
Key Stages 1 & 2: Tudors
Princess Catherine of Aragon Needs Your Help!
90 mins/£130 per session
One of Fulham Palace’s most famous residents needs the help of apothecary apprentices to discover how to cure her illness. In 1506, Catherine and her household were sent to live at Fulham Palace, believing the country air would be beneficial for her health. King Henry VII sent letters every day to ask about her health.
Examining the roles of apothecaries, physicians and surgeons, pupils will uncover fascinating and amusing facts about medicine. How did Tudors cure headaches? What illness was treated by wearing the skin of a donkey? What were the Four Humours? A trip to the Palace vinery is a chance to investigate the herbs and cures used to help Catherine get better.
We explore the unknown story of Henry VIII’s first wife and the importance of Fulham Palace as an estate. Pupils will think critically, weigh evidence and develop new perspectives.
National Curriculum Links:
- Study the lives of significant individuals who have contributed to national achievements.
- Understand the complexity of the Tudor monarchy through the life of Catherine of Aragon.
Key Stages 1 & 2: Victorians
Bishop, butler, mistress and maid
90 mins/ £130 per session
How did the Victorians live? This immersive workshop transports pupils to the Victorian period, where they live the life of children at the Palace- both rich and poor. The session takes place in Victorian buildings, including the stunning chapel. Pupils explore the differences and similarities of life between the classes by handling historical objects, taking on the role of servants and dressing in appropriate costumes. They are introduced to Bishop Tait and his large family, then experience the 1867 opening of the chapel at Fulham Palace.
National Curriculum links:
- Identify similarities and differences between the Victorian rich and poor and life in modern times
- Gain historical perspective by studying social history
Xenogenesis
A theatre and performance-arts-based social enterprise that nurtures and inspires artistry using interactive theatre, dance, music and theatrical techniques through the lens of Afrofuturism. Workshops are delivered by professional actors and performers with knowledge and expertise across the curriculum.
Key Stages 1 - 4: Storytelling workshop
Storytelling workshop
Our storytelling workshops take a cross-curricular approach to subjects such as literacy, history and drama. We explore stories first-hand through theatre and performance and expose students to a range of techniques such as improvising, role-play, devising, imaginative games and many more. It’s a chance to get inside the minds of the characters and walk through the story’s world. We offer a range of children’s books and fairytales and books by Black authors in the UK.
Key Stages 1 - 4: Dancing decades
Dancing decades
The Dancing Decades workshop will explore dance styles that have their origins in the African diaspora. Participants will learn and celebrate iconic styles such as 1960s ‘The Twist’, Line Dances and 70s Disco! Moving on to the 1980s with different styles of breakdancing, 1990s hip hop and the 2000s modern dance.
Key Stages 2 & 3: Black in time
Black in time
Travel back in time with our time travellers as they navigate their way back through time and meet influential Black authors that have made an impact on Black British History
Key Stages 2 - 4: Hair it up
Hair it up
This workshop explores the cultural significance of Black Hair and through a practical interactive, students will learn and recreate braiding patterns that represent symbols of identity, resistance, creative expression and freedom.
Key Stages 2 - 4: Into the future
Into the future
Through engagement with theatre and performance participants will explore the theories behind Afrofuturism and create some of their own work envisioning the future of society. This workshop is an opportunity to push the boundaries of what can be done and in doing so, imagine a whole new world, and possibilities for themselves.
Key Stages 2 - 4: What if
What if
This workshop explores what it means to know that there have always been alternatives to what has been given in the present. We are asking the ‘What if’ questions using Film and Photography and establish a framework on how to create works of art through the lens of Afrofuturism.
All Key Stages: Bespoke workshop
Bespoke workshop
We work with your staff to ensure maximum benefit across the school and that cross-curricular opportunities are tailored to your school’s needs. We provide cultural enrichment that transcends boundaries without having to leave the school grounds.
Bespoke fee: £500 half day / £950 full day
Additional information
- Workshops are delivered by professional actors and performers with knowledge and expertise across the curriculum
- Workshops are 45 – 60 minutes for Key Stage 1 and 60 – 90 minutes for Key Stages 2, 3 and 4. They typically accommodate 30 children, with up to five classes per day.
- The workshops can either take place at your chosen venue or at Fulham Palace.
- Workshops cost £400 half day / £775 full day
- For more information and to book you can get in touch with Xenogenesis on +44 (0)7305316075 or book via the school booking form.
Download the school flyer or the workshop information brochure.