Here are some of our frequently asked questions. Please do not hesitate to get in contact with us if you have further questions.
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What does a typical visit consist of?
Primary, lower and middle schools typically book one lesson and one other facilitated session from the available options, plus a lunchtime session. The following facilitated sessions are available:
- 1840 Monitorial Lesson
- 1880 Gallery Lesson
- World War Two lesson
- Toys Through Time Workshop
- Victorian Life Workshop
- Health & Hygiene Workshop
- Life as an Evacuee Workshop
- Sociology
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What are the timings of a school visit?
A typical school visit arrives at 09.45am for a 10am start, and finishes at 13.30 for a 13.40 departure.
All sessions last 1 hour and there is a 15 minute gap between sessions to allow for smooth transitions and prompt starts.
We usually start with arrival at 9.45 to allow the children time to stow their coats and lunch bags, and put on costume if required. They can then start the lesson 10.00-11.00, then the history session 11.15-12.15 followed by lunch and drill 12.20-13.30.
Although these are our typical timings, we can be flexible to suit your requirements.
On arrival you will be asked to put coats and bags away, get into costume if desired and be welcomed properly before starting your first session.
Your departure time should be around 10 minutes after the end of your final lunch session. Afternoons are reserved for group visits so schools groups must depart by 1.40pm.
Please note that if you are only bringing one class another school may also be visiting on the same day. Please get in contact if you want to discuss this further.
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When can schools visit?
The museum is open for pre-booked school visits on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from February half term until early December.
Some Mondays may be available upon request.
Fridays are reserved for public opening and adult groups.
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How many children or classes can I bring?
We can accommodate up to three classes (maximum 90 pupils) on a visit, but schools more commonly bring one or two classes.
Due to capacity restrictions you can, schools bringing the maximum pupil number will receive lessons in both the Gallery Classroom and Monitorial Schoolroom due to capacity.
We ask that three-class visits book well in advance due to the higher staff capacity required. Alternatively, you can split your visit over two or more days.
Please contact us to discuss further.
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Can we eat our lunch at the museum?
Yes.
Children can eat their packed lunches indoors in our Monitorial Schoolroom.
In addition to having time to eat your lunch, you will also have time to take part in a short drill session (Victorian PE). You can also use our pop-up shop at lunchtime if you wish.
Tea and coffee for adults is provided.
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Is there a gift shop?
Yes.
We have a special pop-up shop for school visits which can be opened in the Monitorial Schoolroom during the lunch break for children to spend a bit of pocket money.
The shop includes a selection of our most popular and relevant items including stationery and traditional toys, costing between £1 and £5.
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Do you have disabled access?
Yes, but not to the entire museum. There is no step-free access to the air raid shelter, Gallery classroom and Headmaster’s house but the rest of the museum is fully accessible.
This affects the 1880 Gallery lesson, WWII Evacuee lesson, Life as an Evacuee and People and Places.
For further details please see the additional information section on the relevant session pages and contact us on (01462) 420144 or enquiries@britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk to discuss options and alternatives if necessary.
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Where does the coach stop or park?
The Coach can pull up directly outside the Museum. Please ensure that you pull up on the museum side of the road so that groups do not have to cross the road to access the Museum.
If you choose not to do this there are pedestrian crossings further down the road. For everyone’s safety, British Schools Museum volunteers and staff have been directed not to help groups cross the road.
Unfortunately, we do not have coach parking facilities onsite.
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How do we book?
You can book by contacting us on (01462) 420144 or by email enquiries@britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk
We can often get quite booked up in advance but will always try and find some options for you, even last minute ones, so please just ask.
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Can we do a pre-visit/ risk assessment?
Of course!
Just contact us on (01462) 420144 or by email enquiries@britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk to arrange a time.
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What is the cost of a visit?
The cost for our standard visit of One Lesson + One History Workshop is £225 for one class (Maximum 33 pupils).
For a single session (either a lesson or a history workshop) the cost is £145 per class.
Visits with multiple classes are charged at this rate PER class.
For example, a standard 1 class visit with a lesson, workshop and lunch is £225. If you have two-form entry and want to bring up to 66 children, that will be £450.
We can offer concessionary per head rates for small groups from special needs schools.
There is no charge for the lunch, Victorian playground toys, and drill session but this can only be booked alongside facilitated sessions.
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How do we pay?
Once your visit is confirmed you will be sent an invoice.
You can pay by BACS or by cheque.
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We want to dress up, can we borrow costumes?
Yes!
We have pinafores for girls and collars and waistcoats for boys should you wish to get dressed up in Victorian costume on your arrival.
Please note: when the temperatures drop, our Victorian buildings are VERY cold, so unless it is a warm summer’s day, vests, jumpers & shawls are essential!
Getting into costume can be quite time-consuming so please take this into account when you plan your arrival time (see information about timings for school visits).
You may also choose to come in costume already, here are some suggestions:
Girls: • Hair off faces • Wear plain hair ribbons, no modern slides or fastenings • Knee length plain socks • Calf length skirts if possible • Long sleeved dark coloured jumpers OR plain dark dresses • Plain dark shoes
Boys: • Dark trousers tucked into knee length plain dark socks • Plain dark shoes • Plain long-sleeved jumpers over white (or plain) shirts
And for adults who want to enter into the Victorian spirit:
Women: Suitable white or dark blouse or jumper and long dark skirt, thick tights and dark flat shoes. Hair fastened up and off the face. Shawls and hats can be worn.
Men: This can be more difficult. Plain dark trousers, white shirt, collar up, silk scarf (or similar) tied as a cravat, waistcoat (unfortunately we don’t have any adult sized ones), dark jacket, dark shoes.
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Do children need to dress up in costume?
Not at all, many schools come in their school uniform, it is your choice but it can help the children get into character for the day.
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What activities do you offer children and young people with special needs?
Children and young people with special needs are welcome to book on any of our standard sessions and we will adjust to your needs on the day - please do contact us in advance to discuss this further.
Alternatively, we are happy to customise any aspects of our programme to meet your needs – please contact us to discuss your requirements and we will see what we can do.
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What activities do you offer for further and higher education students?
We are happy to customise any aspects of our programme to meet your needs – please call us to discuss your requirements and we will see what we can do.
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Can we do a self-guided visit?
Unfortunately not.
We are a small site and are not suited to large unguided groups. We believe children get the most out of their visit through the facilitated sessions lead by our experienced staff and volunteers.
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Do you visit schools?
We unfortunately do not currently have the capacity to do off-site visits for KS1 or KS2.
We do however offer
- An EYFS puppetry session for local Hitchin schools to introduce Victorian Life to your early years pupils; and
- a Victorian Lesson outreach box to allow you to create a Victorian lesson in your own school for KS1 or KS2.
The Outreach box contains 30 slates & slate pencils, small lesson books, victorian pennys (to pay for their lesson) and coin box, and much more. It also contains a lesson plan for either KS1 or KS2 to allow you to "be a Victorian Teacher" for a session.
The Box is available for £50 per week, to be picked up and dropped from the main Museum office.
If you would like to enquire about this, please contact us on enquiries@britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk
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Do you have a Social Story of a school visit?
Yes, you can see a Social Story of a visit to take part in a Victorian Lesson + Toys Through Time workshop HERE.
Please note that this story is accurate for a class of up to 30 doing these sessions.
If you would like a version tailored for a different workshop or lesson, or for a larger visit, please do get in touch with us on enquiries@britishschoolsmuseum.org.uk