CAT BOX loans collection
Does your class want to learn more about the past using archaeology? Do your students enjoy hands-on activities that help them to learn? Do you like to teach using Object-Based Learning?
Canterbury Archaeological Trust has a collection of original archaeological and historical objects, high quality replicas and models for loan to Kent schools, colleges and universities. The entire collection ranges in date from prehistory to the 20th century and illustrates many diverse themes. See our photo gallery below for some examples of what you might get in your CAT box.
Using the CAT BOX loans
You may want period specific material to support a history project or you may want to look at how certain things have changed over time, in which case you could browse across the period groups to find different examples. Our CAT boxes can be used to support all areas of the National Curriculum and we even suggest a few ideas for lessons in the teaching packs. For example, for art projects you may decide to draw some of the objects in the CAT box, have a go at making your own pottery or weave some fabric. You might use some of the CAT box objects as inspiration for discussion and creative writing.
Loan costs and how to pay
We charge £20 per loan box for each six-week term. If you would like us to deliver your boxes to your school and collect at the end of term, please let us know on your order form. We charge a £5 delivery/collection fee for all orders regardless of size.
Payment can be made by bank transfer, by invoice, or by cash upon delivery of the boxes. Please indicate which method you would prefer on your order form and we will process your payment accordingly.
Delivery and Collection
We have listened carefully to feedback from various teachers who have used our CAT boxes in the past and have learnt that collecting and returning the boxes during term time is a challenge for most teachers. Therefore, we have decided to trial a collection and delivery service for schools in the Canterbury district. If your school has a postcode starting with CT, we can offer this service.
We charge an extra £5 for both the delivery and collection of your CAT boxes and this is a standard price regardless of the size of your order. If you would prefer to collect your boxes and not pay the £5 fee, please let us know on your order form.
CAT Box delivery dates 2025
Term 3 8th-10th January
Term 4 24th-25th February
Term 5 23rd-24th April
Term 6 4th-5th June
CAT Box collection dates 2025
Term 3 11th-12th February
Term 4 31st March-1st April
Term 5 20th-21st May
Term 6 16th-17th July
How to place your order
1. Select the CAT boxes you would like from the catalogue.
2. Fill in the online form here.
3. We will be in touch with any information that we need to process your order and with a delivery/collection date for your boxes.
“We were studying the Vikings and I needed some artefacts that would bring the topic to life. The Trust loaned us ‘Cat Boxes’ that contained amazing replicas including Viking and Anglo-Saxon helmets as well as a model Viking long boat and Viking shoes and glasses. The class was enthralled and we used the Cat Boxes to inspire our archaeological investigations as well as other cross-curricular writing and art. The artefacts were on display during our recent successful Ofsted inspection and the children were able to talk knowledgeably about what they had learned.”
James Blomfield, Deputy Headteacher,
St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School,
Canterbury.
Photo Gallery
CAT BOX 603 | Collection of original and replica domestic and personal objects including some local to Dover and Kent; ‘What was it like to live in Anglo-Saxon Lyminge’ curriculum pack; Anglo-Saxon grave from Buckland Dover info pack + activity ideas. Original/Replica | box size: 57x39x18cms © 2016 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 356 | Toys and games, Victorian replica | box size: 57x39x18cms | 58 items © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 346 | Roman kitchen/dining room items. replica | box size: 57x39x18cms | 11 items © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 354 | Laundry Victorian/early 20th century with mangle, sink, wash tub etc. model | perspex case | box size: 40x26x26cms | 1 item © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 437 | Florence Nightingale. Items and child’s costume. replica | box size: 45x35x18cms | 10 items © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 382 | Rosetta Stone. Miniature copy. replica | box size: 38x40x8cms | 2 items © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 319 | Cycladic idol from Cycladic Islands, 2800–2300BC. Copy of marble figurine. replica | box size: 60x20x20cms | 2 items © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 226 | Toys. Wooden Victorian toys. replica | box size: 35x25x9cms | 27 items © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 392 | Roman dining room. Made by Mary Winsch, 2001. Scale: 1:10. Not based on any particular site. model | perspex cover | box size: 62x62x57cms | 2 items © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 92 | Wealden House c. 1500. Model by Lesley Popple. model | perspex case | box size: 60x34x40cms | 2 items © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 255 | Elizabethan theatre. Model by R S Neilson. model | 52x52x45cms | 1 item © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 26 | Roman Bireme Model of a galley (bireme) made by Philip Veale, scale 1:48 model | perspex case | box size: 80x52x34cms | 2 items © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 349 | Norman castle Cutaway model showing layout and activities in a castle. model | perspex case | no box 50x52x40cms | 1 item © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 349 | Norman castle Cutaway model showing layout and activities in a castle. model | perspex case | no box 50x52x40cms | 1 item © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 56 | Viking Longship 9th–10th century AD. Model by Ken Britton, Scale 1:48 model | perspex case | box size: 67x47x37cms | 2 items © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 408 | Parthenon frieze. replica | box size: 45x35x18cms | 1 items © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 326 | Writing in school. Slates and pencils, ink wells. 1st half of 20th century. replica | box size: 34x21x31cms | 88 items © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
16th–18th Centuries (1485–1603) | CAT BOX 409 | Tudor personal. Thimble, Armada medal, wooden patten, hornbook, fivestones game etc. replica | box size: 45x35x18cms | 24 items © 2007 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 600 | CAT archaeologist modelling replica clothes, shield and sword| © 2014 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
CAT BOX 600 | CAT archaeologist showing how weapons could be placed in an Anglo Saxon burial, using CAT BOX replicas.| © 2014 Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd.
Sensory Story CAT Boxes
What is a sensory story?
A sensory story involves the use of text with strong sensory stimuli to convey a narrative. It can be used as a way to engage in the sensory world. Plus, it can be a really fun way to tell a story!
Sensory stories may be enjoyed by lots of people such as individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder, autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, profound and multiple learning disabilities, communication problems, dementia, or mental health difficulties. Babies and children in the Early Years may also enjoy them.
The story in our sensory story CAT boxes are designed to be read aloud while the sensory stimuli is being engaged. The words to be read out are in standard bold text, while the suggested actions for the sensory stimuli are in italics. It may take a few attempts for you and the person experiencing the story to fully enjoy and familiarise yourselves with it, but you will create anticipation and build a great experience together through repetition.
If you would like more guidance on how to deliver a sensory story, please see https://www.thesensoryprojects.co.uk/sensory-stories which has lots of information that could be helpful.
What stories do you have and what is included ?
We have developed our first sensory story about archaeology, which is called 'Going to the Excavation'. This involves some of the sights, sounds, smells and tactile experiences involved in going on a dig at an excavation site.
Watch this space for more sensory stories as we create more archaeological experiences for you to enjoy.
Each sensory story CAT box includes an illustrated booklet with the story and all the items needed to create the sensory experience of the story.
How do I request a box?
Drop us an email at get_involved@canterburytrust.ac.uk and let us know that you would like a box. We can loan these to you for a period of six weeks at a time. The boxes are free of charge and it might be possible to arrange for delivery if you would like your box to be dropped off to a CT postcode.
