TWMuseums

School Visits

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums is a powerful learning resource for the whole community. Through the work of our dedicated Learning Team we are increasing access to our outstanding collections through stimulating activities and programmes.  We can offer handling sessions, printed resources, taught sessions, outreach into schools, bespoke activities and exhibition interpretation, which are suitable for all age ranges, abilities and backgrounds.

Schools Online can help you plan and prepare for your visit and show you the wide range of resources which Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums can offer. All 12 venues have recently been accredited with the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge, which recognises the essential elements of learning provision in a safe environment.

Please see our FAQs section below and visit the dedicated venue pages available on Schools Online to help you plan your visit. If you need specific information or cannot find the information you are looking for then please contact the venue Learning Team directly or email learning@twmuseums.org.uk

For venue specific information please visit the dedicated venue pages.

Schools FAQ

How do I book?

All school or group visits (including self-led visits) must be booked in advance, please contact the venue directly. Contact information can be found on each venues dedicated 'How to book' section. Alternatively please use our online enquiry form.

How much does a visit cost?

Unless stated all workshops and visits are FREE for schools. However, please contact the venue directly for the most up to date information on workshop and admission charges.

How long does a visit last?

Pre-booked workshops vary in length from 30 minutes to 2 hours. All workshops can be combined with self led visits around the galleries and exhibitions. Many schools take advantage of our packed lunch spaces and spend a full day at the venue.

Can I make a preliminary visit?

Yes! We highly recommend you make a preliminary visit to help you get the most out of your trip, especially if you are on a self-guided visit. The Learning Team are happy to discuss your visit with you, ensuring you and your pupils get the most from it. Please contact them directly for more information on the resources available or to arrange a meeting to discuss your requirements.

Is there a Risk Assessment I can download?

Unfortunately we do not have a Risk Assessment you can download, however each venue has a Hazard Identification Sheet which, along with your preliminary visit, will help you write your risk assessment. The Hazard Identification Sheets can be found in the Downloads section of Schools Online. For further help please contact the venue Learning Team directly.

How many adults should I bring?

We suggest a ratio of 1:10, however this is only a guideline, and there are no restrictions on the number of adults you can bring. It is your responsibility to ensure your pupils safety and conduct whilst visiting the venue. We suggest you prepare your pupils and adult helpers for the visit, ensuring a valuable and enjoyable experience for all.

Certain workshops will have different ratio recommendations, please ask the venue Learning Team for specific information when booking.

Are there any safety issues I need to know about?

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums actively try to make our venues as safe as possible. However, our venues (especially outdoor sites) can still be hazardous. Front of House and the Learning Team are always onsite to ensure, as far as possible the safety of visitors. However, ultimately your pupils are your responsibility, never leave them unsupervised.

Please ensure that your pupils are suitably dressed and are wearing appropriate footwear for the weather and activities they are participating in.

What should I do on arrival?

Please see the specific venues home page for details on what to do on arrival.

Are there lunch spaces available?

Lunch spaces are available at all venues (excluding Washington 'F' Pit and The Shipley Art Gallery) however due to high demand all visiting groups must book a lunch space when making their booking. Outdoor picnic areas are also available at certain venues during the summer months.

Is there a shop?

All venues apart from Washington 'F' Pit have a shop on site. We ask that a maximum of 10 children, with a supervising adult visit at any one time.

Are there toilets?

All our venues have accessible male and female toilets.

What if I need to cancel my visit?

We appreciate advanced notice of visit cancellations as there may be other groups needing packed lunch areas and storage facilities which you have booked.

If you are cancelling a pre-booked schools workshop we need to be notified as soon as possible so we can make it available to another school. For schools sessions delivered by a paid freelancer or external company, teachers must sign a booking agreement form and may incur a fee for late cancellations to help us cover our expenses. 

 Are there any resources available to help my visit?

Hazard Identification Sheets, teachers packs and resource sheets are all available in the Downloads section of the Schools Online website. Venues will also send out a confirmation letter with each booking which will highlight any useful material or preparation which is needed before the visit. This letter will also confirm the date and time of your visit. For specific information please visit the related workshop information page on Schools Online or contact the venue Learning Team.