There are a variety of visit options available from the Educational Service at Kew Bridge Steam Museum . Our core programmes, listed below, are tailored to Key Stage 2 level and are aimed at providing an individually tailored visit to a specific class or group, thus offering a flexible approach to school visits.

Key stage 2 visits normally run between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.  The activity sessions are led by our experienced museum staff, with school parties divided into small groups to rotate between the sessions.  We advise an adult to pupil ratio of 1 adult to 5 pupils. The programme is designed to accommodate up to 36 pupils in a class, so that the museum can provide a good quality service it will only accept 1 class per day.  For this reason we advise that you check and agree the date of your visit before completing the booking form in the pack.

1) Water, Victorians and the Industrial Revolution (KS2)
It was during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), that the water supply in London had to be improved to meet the ever-increasing demand for clean water, caused by the expanding population. This improvement was made, in part, by the invention of the steam engine for pumping water, however, pollution was a major problem. The Cholera epidemics of the 1840s and 1850s highlighted the problems caused by the way the water supply companies operated. This visit option explores how a clean water supply in London was developed, the pioneers and inventors of the engines that pumped it, and finally the engines themselves.

2) Water For Life (/KS2)
This visit option explores the necessity of water for life through a historical and social context. Through the Water for Life Gallery, the River Thames is demonstrated as being the focus for London's inhabitants, from the first settlements from the British-Romano era through the Tudors, and finally to the Victorians. In contrast the museum's new Water Aid exhibit provides an insight into the difficulties of providing clean water in the developing countries. Also included is a demonstration of both the museum's horse-gin and waterwheel, alternative forms of power for water supply.

3) Special Educational Needs Visits
The aim of these visits is to be short and flexible. They are individually tailored to each group, with the children's capabilities in mind. The museum is 80% wheelchair accessible, with two wheelchairs available to be loaned out and a Radar toilet. For those who are visually impaired, touch tours can be arranged.

Additional Options
In addition to the above visit options, the following can also be included as part of your visit:

1) Hands – on activities
Each of the following physical activities is approximately 20 minutes in length
“Victorian Wash-day” This handling session involves the class mashing material using Victorian-era methods; this involves the use of a washtub, dolly, and a posser. Depending upon the class's ability, the use of a mangle is also demonstrated.
“Be a child labourer” This is a demonstration in the use of a horse-gin. Although, as the name implies, horses were used to power a pump that was used to drain mines, before the 1842 Mines and Colleries Act1842 Mines and Colleries Act, small mining operations used children instead. This activity includes the class in operating the museum's example of a horse-gin; it also involves a demonstration of a waterwheel that is also part of the collection.
“Filterbeds” Filterbeds, comprising of gravel and sand, were first devised in the Victorian-era as a method of filtering river water to the point where it was clean enough to drink, and is still a method used to this day. This involves the class making their own mini-filterbeds, and attempting to find how clean they can filter dirty water using them.

2) Special operations of the engines
The museum's steam engines can be operated whilst the school visit is taking place. This can either be up to three engines in the Steam Hall, (a mini steam) or a mini steam plus either the 1820 Boulton & Watt, the oldest engine in the collection, or the1846 Grand Junction 90-inch, the largest engine in the collection (a full steam0. Both are at an additional cost. If you are interested in any of these additional options, please indicate which ones, either on the booking form, or during your pre-visit.