Learn

Secondary and post-16

Group of people gathered around a table with small display cases, examining objects inside, in a room with bookshelves in the background.

Plan learning that strengthens critical thinking, supports curriculum topics and prepares students for future pathways. Build confidence through self-led visits, resources and real insights into museum work and careers in arts, culture and STEM.

Secondary and post-16 groups can book a free self-led visit, with structured timetables to help you make the most of the galleries. Full-day and small-group options include lunch spaces, coat storage and essential planning documents. You can also use our free resources to support learning on identity, belonging, movement, decolonial thinking and museum practice. For students considering future careers, we offer digital careers assemblies, online resources and have a programme for dedicated work-experience weeks for Years 10 and 12.

All school groups must book in advance.

Bookings for 2025–2026 are now open.

FREE Self-led visits

To ensure that school groups are able to make the most of their museum visit, we require all school groups to book in with us.

Free self-led visits include:

  • Access to galleries

  • Coat storage

  • A reserved 30 minute lunch slot in our picnic area (full day visits only)

  • Hazard ID & Risk Assessment documents.

Three children, two boys and one girl, look intently at a detailed architectural model of a building displayed under glass.

Full day self-led visits:

Bring your class for a full day visit to the museum!

We have 3 different timetables available every day, all including a scheduled 30 minute lunch slot in our picnic area. Book your full day self led visit now.

BOOK A FULL DAY SELF-LED VISIT

Small group and half day visits

If you have a smaller group (maximum 12 pupils), or want a half day visit after lunch (arrival from 1.30pm), get in touch so we can provide you with a timetable that will meet your needs.

SMALL GROUP ENQUIRY
HALF DAY (AFTER 1.30PM) ENQUIRY

FREE Resources

We have produced a detailed Gallery Guide to support teachers to make the most of their visit to the museum. You can access this free resource along with our Museum map here.

Group of diverse young women wearing safety vests working together at a table in a workshop or industrial setting.

The Big Question: Where do objects belong?

This free resource supports students to think critically about where ancient objects ‘belong’. You can use this to support a visit, particularly if you’re interested in identity, belonging, migration and movement topics.

DOWNLOAD FREE BOOKLET
A warrior standing on a pile of skulls, holding a spear, with a frightened person in the foreground. In the background, warriors gather, and a figure stands in front of a backdrop of swords and tridents.

Decolonise! Trail

Our Decolonise! Trail is an invitation to reflect on the Museum’s past, present and future. It is an intervention with stops along the trail to disrupt the white, Eurocentric, colonial worldview that has shaped the museum’s presentation of history. Along the trail you will address questions such as: How did the collections in this museum get here? Whose stories are told across the galleries? How do museums shape our understanding of the world?

DOWNLOAD DECOLONISE! TRAIL
A researcher or conservator working on a large, ancient whale bone in a laboratory. The bone is placed on a white surface with various paints, tools, and supplies around it for preservation or restoration.

Careers Support

Cost: Free

We are pleased to offer a limited number of Digital Careers Assemblies, bringing together a panel of curators, conservators, and other members of staff from across the Museum. After an introduction to careers in Manchester Museum, staff members will share their own career journeys and experiences, before handing over to a Q&A session with students.

Please contact barinur.rashid@manchester.ac.uk with your preferred date(s), time(s) and topic(s) and we will try to accommodate your request.

Sign up to our Secondary & Post-16 e-newsletter to hear about our new programmes and offers as we launch them.

NEWSLETTER SIGN UP
A young man wearing a black jacket and green gloves inspects and uses a spray tool on a tropical plant inside a glass terrarium or enclosure.

Museum Careers Resources

We have produced a series of FREE online Careers Resources to offer practical advice and shed light on the types of museum careers that are available to you. These resources capture the breadth of roles that museums offer and provide advice and guidance to support students to seek and apply for roles in the sector.

CAREERS RESOURCE PACK
A man with short hair and a green shirt standing next to an ancient stone artifact in a museum display case.

Work Experience

Manchester Museum offers two set work experience weeks in July to support Year 10 and Year 12 students to gain experience of museum work and develop transferrable skills within the workplace.

For more information about work experience at Manchester Museum and how to apply for a placement in July 2026, please visit our Work Experience page.

Things to know before you visit

  • There is a drop-off point for coaches outside the museum on Oxford Road. Minibuses can park at Cecil Street car park. The museum is also on a major bus route and a short walk from rail and tram stops. Plan your visit here.

    There is limited disabled parking available for school group transport. Please contact school.bookings@manchester.ac.uk to discuss this or include this information in your booking or enquiry.

    • All of our programming has been made with SEND in mind.

    • We are working on video tours and additional information to support students with SEND and help them prepare for a visit to the museum.

    • Our lifts offer step-free access to all museum spaces.

    Please let us know of any access requirements when you book your visit. More information on accessibility can be found here.

    • Our Museum Hazard ID document and General Site Risk Assessment are available to support you to produce your own risk assessment for your visit. For our Primary Workshops, please also refer to our Workshop Risk Assessment. You are welcome to arrange booking a site visit ahead of your school visit to carry out your risk assessment and we are happy to arrange for you to meet a member of the team. Please email school.bookings@manchester.ac.uk to arrange this.

    • Teachers (or other accompanying adults) remain responsible for the general health and safety of children during their visit. Teachers (or other adults) should remain with their primary and secondary school groups at all times.

    • The minimum adult to pupil ratios that we recommend for schools visits is: 1:6 for Early Years & KS1; 1:8 for KS2, 1:15 for KS3, KS4 & Post-16. Note this excludes adults providing 1:1 support.

    • View the museum map here and the map for schools (including the Zones referred to on your timetable).

    • There is a picnic area on the ground floor next to the Main Hall. Space will be allocated for school groups through the booking process.

    • The Museum Shop is full of souvenirs inspired by our collections and prices start from 50p. You can pre-book goodie bags starting from £3 per child after you have made your booking.

    • There is a water fountain in the Welcome Area.

    • We are able to arrange for storage of coats, bags and lunches for school groups through the booking process.

    • We have lots of toilets throughout the museum including a fully accessible Changing Places toilet and all-gender toilets.