Schools - National Museum of Scotland | National Museums Scotland

Schools - National Museum of Scotland | National Museums Scotland
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The natural world, world cultures, science, technology, design, art and fashion, archaeology and Scottish history – whatever your topic, come on a visit to find out more.
We support schools visits in a number of ways - from providing guidance around self-led visits, to delivering workshops, tours and study days for your classes.
Select your visit type
Workshops
Find out more
Study days
Find out more
Tours
Find out more
Self-led visit
Find out more
Exhibition visits
We offer special programmes and discounted tickets for school groups visiting exhibitions at the museum.
Find out more
Contact us
If you have any questions about schools visits, please don't hesitate to get in touch:
Schools visits at National Museum of Scotland
Email
schools@nms.ac.uk
Museum trails
Support your visit with one of our museum trails.
Find out more
Overseas school groups
We welcome overseas school groups to our museums and can offer a wide range of resources.
Find out more
Visiting with ASN pupils
We have a range of initiatives to support and welcome pupils with additional support needs.
See full accessibility information
Preparing for your visit
What options are available for a visit?
Our programme for the 2024 - 2025 school year will be announced soon and bookings will open on 19 August 2024.
What can my class see and do?
There is so much to see and do - your class can plan to spend a full day visiting the National Museum of Scotland:
Visit ten galleries dedicated to
Art, Design and Fashion
, and
Science and Technology
.
Travel the world in our fascinating
World Cultures galleries
, including our ancient Egypt gallery.
Come face to face with birds and beasts from around the world and learn about extinction and survival in our new
Natural World galleries
.
See
Scotland's story
from Pictish stones to the Industrial Revolution, William Wallace to Harry Potter.
Discover our special
exhibitions programme
, which changes frequently.
Older students have the opportunity for independent study in our
research library
.
How can I prepare my class for the visit?
Prepare your class for a visit by using our visual story PowerPoints in class:
Visual Story self-guided visit
Visual Story workshop visit
Visual Story in Ukrainian
You can also find out more about the ASN resources available for your visit.
ASN Resources
We have a
video which shows a school visit to National Museum of Scotland
. We suggest you also read the
general visit page
for more information. You can also book a pre-visit to help you plan the day.
Do I need to book in advance?
To ensure your visit runs smoothly, all school visits to the National Museum of Scotland must be booked in advance.
How much does a visit cost?
Workshop and tour prices
£100 UK local authority schools
£150 independent and non-UK schools
Free 20% of our workshops are available free of charge to schools in SIMD 1&2 areas and all special schools (Scotland only).  Offer is subject to availability.
Self-led visits
Self-led school visits and downloadable resources are free of charge.
Do you offer travel subsidies?
National Museums Scotland does not currently offer travel subsidies.  Children and young people aged between 5 and 21 years living in Scotland are eligible for free bus travel.  Find out more at www.transport.gov.scot/concessionary-travel/young-persons-free-bus-travel-scheme/.
When should we arrive?
Booked Sessions
Please arrive promptly for booked sessions.  If you are running late, please phone the school’s team on 0131 247 4041 so we know when to expect you.
Self-led visits
Please arrive at the time stated on your booking. This is to stagger groups arriving in our Entrance Hall (Level 0, Chambers St entrance) and minimise noise levels.
Can I download resources for my visit?
We have a range of resources available to use in both the classroom and museum. You can find them in the
Learning resources
section.
We also have
topic specific trails
to help guide your class through the museum which you can download in advance.
During your visit
Is there parking for our bus or minibus?
There is a coach drop-off point outside the museum on Chambers Street.
Pay and display parking is available on Chambers Street and at NCP Quartermile.
More parking info.
Where can we leave our bags and coats?
Booked groups are allocated a storage tub in our school’s cloakroom for coats, and packed lunches (subject to availability). Please encourage pupils to bring with them only what they will need for the day.
The tubs have lids, but are not lockable. Please note that the tubs are not located in a secure area. Belongings are left at the owner’s risk.
Space is limited and we are unable to store large rucksacks or suitcases.
Please note that bags can only be stored in the cloakroom while you are on the premises
Where can we eat our lunch?
School groups can eat in the museum lunchroom.  The lunchroom is the only designated space for school group lunches in the Museum and must be pre-booked.  Please note that use of the lunchroom is subject to availability and priority use is given to groups who have booked facilitated sessions.  If available, your 30-minute lunch slot is included in your booking information.
The packed lunch space will be very busy during your visit. Please help us to keep it running smoothly by sticking to your booked 30-minute time slot(s), sharing tables with other schools, and tidying up after your group.
Is the space we'll be visiting fully accessible?
The Learning Centre and galleries are fully accessible via lifts and we have accessible toilets on all levels. There is a Changing Places (U) toilet in the Entrance Hall on Level 0.
Please read our
information for visitors with access needs
.
Can I take photographs?
We are happy for you to take photographs, including flash photography, in the general museum. Photography is not permitted in special exhibitions, unless otherwise stated. If you wish to take a photo of a member of museum staff, please ask their permission before doing so.
We may also wish to take photographs of you and your group. We will always discuss with you in advance and will supply a photography permission form for you and your class to be completed prior to visiting.
Is there a shop and café?
There is a Museum Shop in the Entrance Hall, Level 0 (please ensure there is a ratio of 1 adult to 10 children when in shop).
There is a café on the Level 3 balcony, overlooking the Grand Gallery. Take-away food and tea/coffee/liquids are not permitted in the museum.
Do you have visit/safety guidelines?
Ensure everyone attending, including adults, are aware of our
Visit Guidelines
.  In addition, please read and follow any safety notices and instructions from Visitor Experience staff during your visit.
Risk assessments
Teachers are encouraged to make a free pre-visit to carry out their own risk assessment. Download our
safety guidelines
to help you compile one.  Risk assessments for booked sessions are available on request (contact
schools@nms.ac.uk
).
Do you have behaviour guidelines?
We have developed an
agreement
which sets out what we aim to offer during your visit, and in return what we ask from you. We ask that pupils visiting in school groups are accompanied at all times during their visit at a ratio of:
1 adult: 5 pupils (under the age of 5)
1 adult: 10 pupils (primary school pupils)
1 adult: 15 pupils (secondary school pupils)
Where pupils require support on a 1:1 ratio, this adult should be included over and above these ratios.
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