We are open all year for school visits!
Schools visits to the museum are available all year, Monday-Thursday, priced between £4.50 and £9.00 + VAT per student. Each facilitated workshop lasts 50 minutes with additional time for a break and self-led exploration. Groups will have exclusive use of Gallery 6 (our dedicated learning space) and priority access to the museum.
Find out more about our exciting selection of workshops below, and get in touch via our Booking Enquiry Form. Please read our Booking, Cancellation and Refund Policy when making a booking enquiry.
For self-led visits or special interest groups, please visit our Groups page.
Our Workshops
What Am I? KS1 & 2
Have you ever wondered what a Museum Curator does? Learn how to investigate and read objects by looking closely, asking questions, and making deductions using objects from the Museum’s collection which includes textiles, musical instruments, and world culture items.
Curriculum Links: History; PSHE.
Museum Safari, KS1 & 2
Explore the Museum’s animal dioramas. See different habitats that Percy experienced and spot some of the incredible animals that he encountered. This session focuses on adaptation, food chains, and habitats.
Curriculum links: Science
Percy’s Travels, KS1 & 2
This is an interactive storytelling session where your group uses objects, drawings, and clues to find out about the real-life travels of Percy Powell-Cotton. Become a detective and use the objects and clues to decide what you think happened when Percy met a lion. Then listen to Percy’s account to see if you were right.
Curriculum links: English; History.
Drawing from Nature, KS1 & KS2
Drawing from Nature brings Art and Science together by looking closely and drawing our collection of animal skulls and bird taxidermy. It’s a fascinating way to compare animals and look at their teeth. This session works well with Museum Safari.
Curriculum links: Art; Science
Adinkra Textile Printing Workshop, KS1 to 4
In this hands-on workshop, learn about the traditional printing techniques of the Adinkra people from Ghana West Africa and the symbols used in their designs. Explore the basics of printmaking using traditional Adinkra Symbols and learn what they represent to create and block print cloth to hang up in the classroom.
Curriculum Links: Art, Printing, Geography, History, Africa Around the world, Maths
Mbitim’s Pottery Workshop, KS1 to 4
In this hands-on workshop, learn about the ceramic artist Mbitim’s the Zande (South Sudan) Potter and discover how he made beautifully designed coil pots with tools he found in his surroundings. Children will learn how to use clay and tools to produce original work in the style of Mbitim.
Curriculum Links: Art, Pottery, Geography, History, Africa Around the world
Suggested Itinerary
Class size of 30 students | |
Time | Class |
10:00 – 10:10 | Arrival & Introduction to Museum |
10:10 – 11:10 | Workshop Choice A |
11:10 – 11:30 | Break |
11:30 – 12:30 | Workshop Choice B |
12:30 – 13:00 | Lunch & Gardens access |
13:00 – 13:50 | Museum Galleries |
13:50 – 14:00 | All aboard the coach and goodbyes |
How do we book?
Please make a booking enquiry by completing the online Booking Enquiry Form.
To make a booking enquiry for 2025, complete this form.
What kind of visit can we book?
We are delighted to confirm that we are open all year for school visits, Monday through to Thursday, for both self-led and facilitated workshops. Visits must be pre-booked.
What time can we visit?
Visits can begin at 10:00am or 12:00pm. We will arrange timings and itineraries to suit your class. Generally, we are happy to accommodate you between 10:00am & 2:00pm based on how many workshops you choose.
Is there a minimum group number?
Workshops require a minimum of 20 pupils and there is a maximum of 70. If your group is larger than 30 pupils, then you must book at least 2 workshops so we can accommodate your group.
How many teachers can come on the visit?
School years 1-3, (age 5-7 years) one adult for every six pupils 1:6
School years 4-6, (age 7-11 years) one adult for every 10 to 15 pupils 1:10/15
If you would like to bring additional teachers and helpers, please discuss this with us during the booking process.
Teaching staff and helpers must accompany pupils at all times during the visit.
Can we have lunch at the museum or bring a picnic?
We are happy for schools to bring a picnic and enjoy the lawns to the back of the museum. If requested in advance, we can provisionally book our function room as a back up plan for wet weather, however taking lunch outdoors will be the preferred plan.
Can we visit the gardens?
Yes, your school group can visit the lawns and woodland at the back of the museum. The walled garden will not be accessible. Please note that we now have beehives in the woodland, however they are set back and have been considered in the gardens risk assessment.
Have you got a risk assessment?
Please view our standard Risk Assessment here. We are happy to discuss and amend risk assessments with teachers to ensure a safe and well-planned visit.
Can I make a familiarisation visit?
We are happy for you to pop in for a familiarisation visit between 10:00am-3:00pm. Please get in touch and we will arrange a time and date: learning@powell-cottonmuseum.org.