Visit

Schools and colleges

A woman dressed in colorful traditional attire, including a red and blue patterned outfit with pink leggings, is kneeling on the floor, engaging with children in a line who are also kneeling and appear to be listening attentively.

From dinosaurs and mummies, to frogs and comics, a visit to the museum offers inspiring learning opportunities for students across the curriculum. 

Joy and learning are at the heart of the museum and our exhibitions and displays bring people together to ask big questions and spark imagination. Our programmes connect with people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities in Manchester and beyond.

All of our resources are created with SEND in mind. For example, anything with text is editable so that educators can edit font, size, colour or content to suit their group.

What type of learner are you?

Three children in scout uniforms looking into a glass display case with reflections of their faces.

Primary Schools

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Group of people gathered around a table with transparent containers, engaging in an activity, in a room with bookshelves.

Secondary & Post-16

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A woman and two young boys observing and pointing at a display case and screen, with the boys leaning over a railing to look closer.

Home Educators

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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 will be sent to you when you make your school booking with us. We ask all learning groups to book with us in advance and recommend that you complete a pre-visit trip to complete your own risk assessment before your visit. We are happy to arrange for you to meet a member of the team to support you in this: 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.