Learning

As well as being a tourist attraction and a place of interest, Swanage Pier is a great site for educational visits. We welcome group visits from all over the country, even the world.

Use our prominent location to tell the story of the Jurassic Coast, dip into a rich Victorian history of seaside resorts, or learn more about the marine life under the pier…

Whether your group books an activity or experience day led by one of the Swanage Pier team, or uses the Pier to fulfil a self-guided tour or investigation – we’re on hand to help you get the most from your visit to Swanage and Purbeck. Contact our Education and Learning Officer to discuss your visit.

Our Offer to Schools and Educational Establishments 

Please look at our PowerPoint for information about what we offer educational establishments visiting Swanage Pier.

• Short guided tours of the Pier and Marine Villas can be given to groups by prior arrangement. There is no charge for this but a donation is always appreciated.
• We have a dedicated Education and Learning Officer who can suggest appropriate learning resources, activities or experiences that are on offer.

School Offer

• We can offer schools 3 different in-house led workshops on the following subjects: 
  • Under the Pier, Homes and Habitats’ (KS 1 and 2)
  • Marine Labs (KS 3) 
  • A Tale of two Piers, the Victorians' (KS 1 and 2) 
• Self-led Heritage Trail
• Free Learning Resources 
  • Key stage 1 - geography and science, includes a lesson plan, activity sheet and power point. 
  • Key stage 2 - geography and history, includes a lesson plan, activity sheet and power point
  • Key stage 3 - citizenship and history, includes a lesson plan, activity sheet and power point 
  • Key stage 4 -  geography and history, includes a lesson plan, activity sheet and power point
  • Swanage Pier Regeneration & Restoration ‘Before & After’ Photographs

  • Swanage Pier Regeneration Project - Educational Case Study for GCSE & A Level - Teachers & Students

• Further Information 
  • Swanage Pier quiz
  • Swanage Pier timeline
  • Pier facts and figures

Educational Activities 

• Additional Class Resources
  • Shipwrecks
    • Shipwrecks Worksheet 1 - Parts of a ship
    • Shipwrecks Worksheet 2 - Sinking and Floating
    • Shipwrecks Worksheet 3 - Kyarra artifacts
  • Gribble Worm Resource sheet    
  • Crab Facts Worksheet 
• Self-led Heritage Trail
• Rubbing Trail
• QR Trail 

We’re happy to tailor the visit to your group’s requirements, just get in touch! 

Why not book a planning visit?

We offer free planning visits for all educational groups. This gives you the chance to check out our facilities ahead of time, assess the site and meet our Education and Learning Officer.

If you have any questions about any of the above, please contact our Education and Learning Officer.