Opening Times

Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 2pm - 5pm

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

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery houses the world famous designated shoe collection and tells the history of Northampton from prehistory to the present day. The art gallery hosts a fine collection of Italian paintings and ceramics. There is also a regular programme of temporary exhibitions.

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 museum staff.

Sample programme of the activities:

School visits cater for a maximum of 60 pupils and our sessions operate on a rotation system. A 30 - 45 minute handling session with a member of staff, a teacher-led tour of the galleries with worksheets and a third activity in the galleries, also teacher led. Sessions are for a morning or afternoon.

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

We provide worksheet suggestions for gallery tours.
Teachers are advised to bring their own clipboards and pencils.

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

Maximum group size is 60 pupils.
There is no minimum group size but a minimum cost of £30 applies to groups with less than 30 pupils.
All accompanying adults are free.

Do you have or how do you arrange risk assessment?

A general risk assessment is available for the museum and is sent out upon confirmation. A separate risk assessment for each individual session can be supplied on request.
Teachers are welcome to make a pre-visit to the museum to familiarise themselves with the galleries and conduct their own risk assessment.

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

Toilets
Shop
Lunch room can not be guaranteed and must be booked in advance.

Additional information.

As well as on site activities Northampton Museum Education Service offer a range of learning resources for use in the classroom.
Outreach - hour long sessions led by a member of museum staff involving original and replica objects for handling. Subjects covered are Romans/Archaeology, Tudors, Victorians, World War Two Home Front and Shoe making.
Loans Boxes - a box and resource pack including replica items and objects from the museum collection available for a half term period. Topics include Shoes, Victorians and World War Two.
Additional resources are available on the Learn With Museums website www.learnwithmuseums.org.uk