Opening Times

School visit by arrangement Monday - Friday
Open to the public March - October Thursday - Sunday 1pm - 5pm

What makes this a great venue for School group Fun or Educational Visits?

Abington Park Museum is a beautiful Grade I listed building complete with hammer beam roof in the Tudor Great Hall and intricate carved panelling. The museum displays include social and domestic life from the 1800s to the 1950s as well as Egyptology, Ethnography, costume and the history of the Northamptonshire Regiment and Yeomanry.

What are the Curriculum Topics or Benefit to the students from a visit?

Where appropriate our sessions and resources align with the national Curriculum programmes of study across key stages 1-4. They give pupils an opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding across subject areas and also to improve and enhance key skills such as investigating, communicating, reflection and evaluation.

What are the activities?

Self-guided tours
Handling sessions with a member of museum staff.

Sample programme of the activities:

Our sessions operate on a rotation system and cater for a maximum of 60 pupils in a morning or afternoon.
They consist of a 30-45 minute handling session with a member of museum staff.
A session in the galleries led by teaching staff with worksheet suggestions.
A third activity, also teacher led.

What materials to you provide or suggest groups bring to support the visit?

We provide worksheet suggestions.
Schools are to bring their own clipboards, paper and pencils if required.

What are the minimum and maximum group sizes and the free Teacher Ratio?

Maximum of 60 children
There are no lower limits but groups with fewer than 30 pupils incur a minimum charge of £30.
Accompanying adults are free.

Do you have or how do you arrange risk assessment?

A general risk assessment for the museum is sent out upon confirmation.
Individual risk assessments for the sessions can be supplied on request.

What facilities are there for school groups for food and drink, shop etc?

Toilet
Shop during summer months or goody bags by prior arrangement.
Lunch room to be booked in advance.

Additional information.

In addition to our on-site sessions Northampton Museum Education Service can also provide resources for use in the classroom.
Outreach - an hour long session with a museum member of staff with original and replica objects for handling. Subjects are Romans/Archaeology, Tudors, Victorians, World War Two Home Front and Shoemaking.
Loans Boxes - a selection of real and replica objects on a given theme available for a half-term period. Subjects include Toys, Victorian Homes and World War II Home Front.