Arranging a Pre-visit

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Museums should encourage teachers to visit a museum before they bring their pupils in order to:

  • gain maximum benefit from the museum visit
  • carry out their own Risk Assessments
  • meet with museum staff
  • plan preparation activities with children
  • gain a good understanding about the layout of the museum and the planning for the day
  • prepare other staff and helpers who will be accompanying the pupils on the trip.

Ideally you should run regular pre-visit sessions for schools who visit.

The pre-visit meeting serves a number of purposes. To: 

  • see and try out the activities involved in the session
  • discuss with staff how the session can be individually tailored for the class
  • receive a session pack which includes ideas for activities to support the visit
  • familiarise teachers with the building and its facilities
  • check travelling times to the museum and parking arrangements .

How to encourage teachers to make a pre-visit.

  • Offer a twilight session (4 – 6 p.m.) with refreshments.
  • If you are a museum which charges, offer teachers and their families a complimentary ticket to visit at a week-end or during the school holidays.

          Or

  • Arrange a special Teacher’s Day during holiday periods when you can guarantee that staff will be on hand to explain and answer any queries.

Downloads

Pre-visit Checklist Victorians Key Stage 1 (SEARCH, Hampshire County Museums Service. Word DOC, 40Kb). Used by demonstrators use to make sure they cover everything with a teacher before a visit. It is used for telephone and in-person pre-visits.

Running Successful INSET sessions (Word DOC, 60.5Kb) ideas from the Group for Education in Museums email list.

Useful Websites

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Milestones (Hampshire County Museums Service) website for Pre-visit Information.

 

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