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Schools and formal learning
Learning at Barnsley Museums
Our museums and heritage sites provide unique opportunities for children to explore extraordinary spaces through immersive and enriching activities. Be inspired by our unique buildings, landscapes, and objects, and discover how arts and culture can support you in teaching a Creative Curriculum.
In-person workshops
We have an inspiring range of fully Risk-assessed workshops that we can deliver at our venues or as outreach sessions. Please note that teachers and adult helpers are responsible for students’ behaviour and safety at all times. All group leaders should carry out a risk assessment before their visit. We will discuss all workshops on booking and offer familiarisation visits for onsite sessions. All school bookings are taken in advance, and enquiries must be made at least 4 weeks before the preferred date of your visit or session.
Self-led visits
We offer self-led visits to all of our museums free of charge, however, we ask all groups, including schools, nurseries and colleges to book in advance to ensure there are no clashes with booked workshops. Lunch spaces can be booked at Experience Barnsley and Worsbrough Mill for self-led groups for £40.
Please email learning@barnsley.gov.uk to book your visit.
How much do workshops and resources cost?
Our fees from April 2025 are below:
Trips to our museums
Full-day workshop - £300 per class
Half-day workshop - £180 per class
We offer a discounted price for groups of 20 or fewer. Please get in touch with us to discuss options.
Outreach sessions
Full-day workshop - £300 per class
Half-day workshop - £180 per class
We offer a discounted price for groups of 20 or fewer. Please contact us to discuss options.
Loan boxes
Barnsley Museums offers specially made loan boxes available for hire in schools, featuring a selection of real and replica objects. From Vikings to Victorians, Romans to Toys, we have something for your topic!
We charge £70 per half-term for each loan box. Each box comes with accompanying notes and information for teachers. Loan boxes must be collected from and returned to Experience Barnsley Museum.
Schools that hire our boxes can then claim a 10% discount when booking a workshop at one of our sites in the same academic year.
Online workshops
We charge £90 per session for online workshops (maximum of one class of 36 pupils per session).
We're proud that all our venues are validated learning destinations with Barnsley Children's University.
The program involves children accessing various learning opportunities across the borough and beyond.
Once your child is signed up for the program through their school, they will receive a passport to learning and special CU Credits from our activities.
To find out more, please visit www.childrensuniversity.co.uk.
Please note that several schools have already signed up for the program. To register a child's interest, please email BarnsleyCU@barnsley.gov.uk.
Accessibility
Our workshops can be adapted to support any specific educational needs your group may have, please contact us to discuss these in advance.
Our terms and conditions
We take a maximum of 36 children per class and a minimum ratio of one adult per six children.
Cancellation fees
Once your booking form is returned, your booking will be confirmed in our diary, and cancellation fees become applicable.
If the trip is cancelled a month before the booking, no cancellation fee will be charged.
If the trip is cancelled between one month and one week in advance of the booking, we may rearrange the visit. If this is not possible, 50% of the workshop fee will be charged.
If the trip is cancelled within one week of the booking, we may rearrange the visit. If this is not possible, the full workshop fee will be charged.
Risk Assessment
A separate Risk Assessment will be provided, specifically tailored to your visit. This will have been carried out by staff responsible for the activity and signed off on by their line manager.
It is the responsibility of the class teacher to familiarise themselves and other relevant staff with this beforehand. Our staff are available to answer any questions before the visit.
Teachers are also encouraged to visit the museum if an onsite trip is booked for a risk assessment.
First Aid
Schools must bring a qualified first aider and a first aid kit in case of any injuries during the visit. We ask school staff to administer First Aid to anybody from the school on the trip. However, our staff can also deliver first aid when necessary.
It is the responsibility of the school to make our staff aware of any allergies pupils may have, which will affect the visit, particularly when attending workshops with a cooking element.
Teachers will be asked to sign an allergen sheet on the day of the workshop. It is the responsibility of the school to administer any treatment, such as epi-pens, if necessary, during the visit.
A full copy of Barnsley Museums' Safeguarding Policy is available on request.
View and Search our Learning opportunities
Please browse the learning opportunities we have available below, or use the filters to search for specific criteria: