We are please to be offering schools sessions again at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

We know that many schools and educational groups are keen to visit us again (we have missed them too!) but, before arranging your visit, please make sure you are aware of how our collections’ displays, school offer and facilities have changed during this time.

To make the most of your visit, we have provided comprehensive information for teachers bringing pupils to Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery. On this page you will find information about our sessions and prices, as well as useful pre-visit and on the day information.

About our displays

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has reopened several gallery spaces to the public and our new on-site schools programme is now available. New and familiar artworks are on display with a focus better reflecting Birmingham’s personality and future.

Galleries that are open include:

• The museum’s iconic Round Room is at the heart of the reopening with new and familiar artworks back on display surrounding Jacob Epstein’s stunning bronze sculpture, Lucifer.
• The Industrial Gallery reopens with a new ‘Made in Birmingham’ display, which celebrates the city of a thousand trades, its self-deprecating humour, creative people and their worldwide impact.
• The popular Tearoom and Shop are also open for hot drinks, a new food and drink menu and unique gift collections and collaborations with local artists and makers in the museum shop.
• The Victorian Radicals exhibition of world-famous Pre-Raphaelite art will continue in The Gas Hall until 5 January 2025.

Important Note: the Birmingham History Galleries and Ancient Civilisation Galleries will not be open to the public nor available to schools.

School sessions

Three different on-site taught sessions are available at the moment, they are on Key Stage 2 topics: Egypt, Ancient Rome and Anglo-Saxons. Other sessions will be available in the future, please keep an eye on our website and newsletters for information as it becomes available.

Sessions are available to book Monday - Friday.

• The morning session will run from 10.30am to 12noon.
• The afternoon session will run from 12.30pm to 2pm.

Exclusive access to the Staffordshire Hoard Gallery is also available for schools, in conjunction with any of the workshops. This is also available Monday to Friday.

Schools are also able to explore the main galleries, alongside their workshop. The main galleries are only open Wednesday - Friday.

Please check back here or sign up to our education newsletter to find out about any special programmes running in 2024/5 as they become available.

Costs

On-site taught sessions cost £5.50 per pupil.

Self-guided visits

Schools and other groups are still very welcome to make their own visits. Advanced booking is required.

Pre-Visit Information

How to Contact Us

All visits, including self-guided visits, require pre-booking. We recommend discussing your needs and plans for your visit with us in advance so that we can advise on the availability of gallery spaces, make sure that you are aware of relevant changes since your last visit, and ensure both parties are aware of any practicalities needed to get the most out of your visit

For enquiries or to make a booking, please contact the Education Bookings Team in the first instance on 0121 348 8001 or email EducationBookings@BirminghamMuseums.org.uk.

Address

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Chamberlain Square
Birmingham
B3 3DH

Risk Assessment

See below to download our Hazard Information Sheet to create your own risk assessment for your visit and our Facilitated Session Risk Assessment for your trip.

Teacher Previews

If you are a first time visitor or would like to see our education spaces, then a member of your teaching staff can attend a pre-visit. Please contact the booking team to arrange this (contact details are at the bottom of this page). Please bring proof of teacher status with you (e.g. General Teaching Council membership, union membership card or signed headed school paper).

Alternatively you are welcome to visit the public gallery spaces during opening hours without pre-booking, see the visit page for details.

Disabled Access

See Accessibility Information for full details.

Pupil / Teacher Ratio

• For Foundation and KS1 groups a minimum of 1 adult to every 6 children is required.
• For KS2 and over a minimum of 1 adult for every 10 children is required.

A failure to meet these ratios may result in your session being cancelled upon arrival.

Please note that we may ask larger groups to split up into smaller ones either in advance or on the day, as this may be more suitable for some of our spaces.

On the Day Information

Coach Drop Off and Parking

The coach drop off / pick up point for school coaches is on Great Charles Street (B3 3LG). No waiting is allowed. There is no dedicated parking at the Museum and Art Gallery.

Arrival

Our schools’ entrance at Great Charles Street will remained closed to the public. School groups with workshops will be met at the Great Charles Street Entrance by a member of staff.

Self-guided school groups will need to walk around to the main entrance to the museum.

For lift access please use the Gas Hall entrance on Edmund Street.

View our floor plan to assist you with your visit.

Lunch Area

The dedicated Lunch Area will only be available to schools booked onto workshops.

Cloakroom

Our cloakroom facilities available to schools who have booked workshops.
A number of lockers are available (£1 per locker, non-refundable).

Toilets

There are currently dedicated schools’ toilets in the Learning Zone, including accessible toilets. There is no changing facility in the Learning Zone.

Museum Shop

Located on Floor 2, we welcome to visit the shop as part of their day - prior booking is required. We ask that a maximum of 30 pupils visit the shop at one time.

Pupil Behaviour

• It is the responsibility of the class teachers and accompanying adults to control the behaviour of pupils.
• Pupils are expected to show respect, listen to the museum staff and follow instructions.
• Adults must stay with the pupils at all times.
• No running in the museum.
• No eating or drinking on the galleries.

Photography

Photography is permitted. If you are taking photographs in your taught session please let the Learning and Engagement Officer know.