Secondary Visits – Planning Your Visit

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Planning

PLANNING YOUR VISIT

The following are guidelines only.  If you are unsure of anything please contact us.  Also, feel free to discuss and negotiate your requirements with us.

SIZE OF GROUPS

1. In lessons and workshops we generally work with groups of up to about 60 (for a more personal touch), and occasionally we might work with groups of 90, 120 or more.  In a lecture or panel type setting, we can address larger audiences.
2. We can work with several groups during a half or full day, and for a more in-depth experience, we are able to work with one group for up to an entire full day.
3. Another option is an assembly for all (as large as you want), and sessions for certain groups.

TIMETABLE AND LENGTH OF SESSIONS

We help you formulate a timetable factoring in both workshop sessions and break/lunch schedules, so as to achieve optimum results.

1. We are flexible about session length, however the ideal session length is a minimum of 1.5 hours as this allows time for all students to be dressed up.  Although this is the case, many secondary schools need to work within the framework of the general school schedule of study periods with sessions of 45-60 minutes, and this is fine.
2. Assemblies can take place at the beginning or end of the day, or in between other lessons/sessions. They range from 15 minutes to over an hour.

FACILITIES REQUIRED BY THE PRESENTER

1. A hall (preferable) or a large room with empty floor space.
2. An audio system or CD player to play music on.
3. 10 clean rectangular tables to display shrine and artefacts on, in situ upon arrival.

VENUE, SET-UP, AND ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE

1. We need to arrive and commence set-up 1.5 hours before the first session starts.  We need 1 hour to pack at the end of the visit.
2. To conserve time for setting up, please could we have some adult assistance in bringing in our equipment.
3. Please could we also have some help with setting out our displays.  Capable students are very welcome to help with this, and we can use the help of up to four students.
4. We can also use some help with packing at the end of our visit.  We can engage up to four adults/students.  Please check with the presenter before packing anything, as they may need certain things packed a certain way, and may prefer to pack certain things themselves.
5. We need the ten tables that we’ll be using for our displays to be situated in the presentation room before our arrival, and likewise, any chairs in the room should be stacked prior to our arrival so that we can start setting up displays without delay.
6. For logistical reasons we require tables that are not needed for the lunch service.
7. Round or irregular shaped tables are not ideal; standard rectangular classroom tables are excellent.
8. If necessary we can set up or pack away discreetly along one wall during Breakfast Club, lunch, or an after-school activity.
9. If assemblies and workshop sessions are both included in your schedule, it is preferable to run them both in the same hall so that our displays, which are not easily portable, may be used for both.

LUNCH TIME

1. If lunch is to take place in the presentation hall we will set up our displays close to the wall, allowing maximum room for the lunch service.
2. There is not time to dismantle and reset the displays during lunchtime.

SCHOOL STAFF AND OTHER ADULT HELPERS

We find that many secondary students, especially the older ones, are capable of dressing up with the help of a student partner following our dressing up demonstration.  However, there are usually some who need a bit of adult help, especially in the younger year groups.  Accordingly, our presenter would welcome the assistance of another adult or two during dressing up time.

Please ask teaching staff to model good behaviour and show consideration to the presenter by being attentive during the presentations. Although it is not the best option, some teachers may do PPA work during our sessions, (except when needed to help with practical activities), as long as one member of staff is “fully present” attending to the presentation at all times.  We ask that adults refrain from discussing amongst themselves while the presenter is addressing the group.

SAMPLE PROGRAMMES

The following sample programmes are just to give an idea of the most common types of secondary programme structures.  Click on the thumbnails to view specific images.  From there you have the option to scroll through the gallery.  Every school visit is unique, so we will build your programme according to your specifics. Let us know if you would like to base your school’s programme on one of these.