Information for your visit

If you have not visited the museum before, a free planning visit is advised so that you have the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the museum and discuss your visit with a member of staff. Please contact the museum to arrange a convenient time to visit. We will send you a risk assessment, but please complete your own considering your class needs.

Children should be supervised at all times and asked to move sensibly around the building. There are glass display cases, wooden carvings, fireplaces and a balcony area which could be dangerous. Group leaders are advised to warn their group of the dangers of running around the balcony, leaning over or dangling objects such as clipboards over the balcony, which might fall and hurt someone below.

For our Oakwell Hall Country Park activities, the ground can be uneven and muddy, so please advise caution. It can also be busy with members of the public, dog walker's, wildlife and even horses so discuss ways to keep safe with your class before the visit.

For outdoor activities, children must come dressed appropriately taking the weather into consideration - please ensure they bring a warm waterproof coat and comfortable shoes or wellingtons. In hotter weather, they should bring a cap and sun cream.

Ensure your class know what to expect on the day. Many of your students will not have visited a museum before, so spend some time talking about what museums are, and the history of the museum. We have virtual tours and lots of information on our website.

For SEND students going to Tolson Museum, we have a visual story available to prepare students for the day. We also have two sensory bags available with ear defenders, weighted pillows, tactile objects and PECS maps. Please ask at the welcome desk.

Give some context to the topic you will be studying at the museum. Ensure they have a good chronological understanding and some prior knowledge to build upon on the day.

The class will complete a carousel of activities, so it is useful to divide the class into two before you arrive. Assign the necessary staff to each group.

In line with industry standard, we have a minimum staff/adult ratio of:

• 1:4 - Reception
• 1:6 - Key Stage 1
• 1:8 - Key Stage 2
• 1:15 - Key Stage 3
• 1:20 - Key Stage 4+

Please note staff supporting students on a one-to-one basis are not included in the ratio and should attend in addition to the above ratio.

Please ensure you have a staff member with First Aid training, and staff to provide support to students who may had additional requirements. You are responsible for the behaviour of your class on the day, and please brief the adults on the content of the session so they can support the students with activities.

Bagshaw Museum

Please arrive from 10am, the museum will not be open before this time. If you arrive before 11am please ring the doorbell, as we do not open to the public until 11am in summer, and are closed to the public during the winter.

Oakwell Hall

Please arrive from 9:30am and go to the Visitor Centre Courtyard where you will be directed to the classroom to leave coats and bags. Our Learning Facilitator will collect you from there.

Tolson Museum

Please arrive from 10am, the museum will not be open before this time. If you arrive before 11am please ring the doorbell, as we do not open to the public until 11am in summer, and are closed to the public during the winter.

Bagshaw Museum

We have disabled parking, a disabled lift to allow interior access to the first floor and a fully accessible toilet.

Oakwell Hall

Children should be supervised at all times and asked to move sensibly around the building. There are glass display cases, wooden carvings, fireplaces and a balcony area which could be dangerous. Group leaders are advised to warn their group of the dangers of running around the balcony, leaning over or dangling objects such as clipboards over the balcony, which might fall and hurt someone below.

The classroom is on the first floor and only accessible by 15 steps. Only the ground floor of the Hall is wheelchair accessible. We have a Changing Places toilet next to the car park.

Tolson Museum

Due to the nature of the site, our first floor is only accessible by staircase. We do have level access via intercom to the ground floor at the rear of the building.

Oakwell Hall

Please ensure students do not disturb wildlife that they might see on their visit. It is important that they follow the instructions of the Learning Facilitator, who will advise them on what plants they can touch. Students should wash their hands after touching any plants.

Bagshaw Museum

The museum car park is free and suitable for coaches and mini-buses.

Oakwell Hall

Coaches and minibuses should park in the Visitor Centre Car Park.

Tolson Museum

The Museum car park is free and suitable for coaches and mini-buses.

Bagshaw Museum

We offer a wide range of pocket-money priced items, and would recommend that children are only permitted to bring cash. We offer goody bags priced at £2 which include craft activities, a peg doll and postcard.

Oakwell Hall

We offer a wide range of items in the Visitor Centre, and would recommend that students are only permitted to bring cash.

Tolson Museum

We offer a wide range of pocket-money priced items, and would recommend that children are only permitted to bring cash.

Bagshaw Museum

We have a women's, men's and disabled toilet on the ground floor.

Oakwell Hall

Toilets are in the Visitor Centre Courtyard. There are no toilets in the Hall itself.

Tolson Museum

We have a women's, men's and disabled toilet on the ground floor. Please note there is only one toilet in each, so allow plenty of time and try to stagger toilet trips throughout the day.

Bagshaw Museum

Schools can have their lunch in the Education Room, or may wish to spend some time outdoors in Wilton Park.

Oakwell Hall

Schools can have their lunch in the Education Room, or may wish to spend some time outdoors in the Country Park. In fine weather, we will provide some old-fashioned toys to play with.

Tolson Museum

Schools can have their lunch in the Education Room, or may wish to spend some time outdoors in Ravensknowle Park.