Museum Learning

At the Museum of Gloucester, we have a range of learning opportunities and experiences for your school or group to take part in. 

  • Discover our brand-new, engaging and inspiring Stories of Gloucester learning sessions.

    Suitable for pupils from EYFS through to KS3, these unique sessions have been specially created for the Museum of Gloucester by award-winning poet and highly experienced learning resource writer Isy Mead and are delivered by our team of Museum Inspirers who will bring the stories and histories of Gloucester alive for your pupils.   

    Choose from:

    • Stories, Rhymes and Toys Through Time (EYFS, KS1)

    • Golden Harps & Spinning Wheels (KS1)

    • Roman Gloucester, Gods and Ghosts (KS2)

    • Tales from the Iron Age: Boudica and the Birdlip Mystery (KS2)

    • Saxons and Dragons (KS2)

    • Spells & Wishes: Write a Gloucester Trickster Tale (KS2)

    • Richard III and the Wars of the Roses (KS3)

    • City Story Walk (KS2, KS3)

    With a focus on interactive storytelling, role play and with plenty of opportunities to develop speaking, listening and oracy skills these sessions offer an immersive way for pupils to learn about the history and people of Gloucestershire. 

    • Our learning sessions typically run 10am-2pm and consist of two learning workshops of your choice.  

    • All sessions include half an hour for lunch. 

    • Choose from 8 different curriculum-linked learning sessions. Sessions typically include a chance to listen to and re-create stories linked to the history of Gloucestershire, opportunities to handle museum artifacts and time to explore the museum galleries. The City Story Walk delves into the rich local history and literary history and includes a visit to the Eastgate Chamber.

    • If you would only like to spend a half day (one learning session) at the museum, please indicate this on the enquiry form.   

  • Our learning sessions have been developed by a learning resource expert to be delivered by a Museum Inspirer and have been designed to bring the history of Gloucester to life in interactive, engaging and thought-provoking ways. 

    • Once you have chosen your sessions, fill in the enquiry form and our Learning Team will be in touch. 

  • Our prices are based on classes of up to 32 pupils and are inclusive of the adults accompanying the class. The cost also includes a space to eat lunch. 

    For a full day which includes two learning sessions the cost is: 

    • £280 inc VAT (£8.75 per pupil)   

     

    For a half day which includes one learning session the cost is: 

     

    • £150 inc VAT (£4.69 per pupil) 

     

    Please get in touch if you wish to discuss the cost for multiple classes or small groups. 

     

  • Please view our basic Museum Learning Risk Assessments :

    Risk Assessment - Blackfriars Priory

    Risk Assessment - Eastgate Chamber

    Risk Assessment - Gloucester City Walks including Eastgate Chamber

    Risk Assessment - Museum of Gloucester Formal Learning Sessions

    It is at the School’s discretion whether to visit the Museum before their session to complete any additional Risk Assessments (, such visits will be facilitated by the Museum). Please get in touch with the Learning Team who can facilitate your visit. 

  • Find out about the Museum’s accessibility on our website. 

  • During the sessions, you will be required to provide the appropriate teacher/adult supervision (including a first aider) at the following ratio: 

    • One adult per five children for KS1  

    • One adult per eight children for KS2 

    • One adult per 12 children for KS3/4

  • You will be greeted by a Museum Inspirer who will show your group where to put their coats and bags and explain where they will be having lunch. There will also be ample opportunity to go to the toilet and have a quick snack before the learning session starts! 

  • Your group will generally be able to eat lunch in the Wheatstone Hall which will be booked exclusively for your group exclusively. Tables and chairs are available but there is also the option to eat a picnic style lunch (please state preference when booking). 

  • Home educating families are welcome to visit the Museum at any time for a self-guided tour.  Please see the information about the Museum Explorers trail. 

    Home educating families can also book onto our Stories of Gloucester sessions as part of a home education group. Please use the enquiry form to get in touch – we’d love to chat about the different options. 

  • Loan Boxes 

    Want your pupils to get hands on with history? Choose from a variety of loan boxes which are linked to the national curriculum for History. 

    Our current boxes include: 

    Each loan box contains a minimum of 9 objects as well as teachers’ resources, activity ideas and timelines.  

    Find out more about our Loan Boxes.  

    Boxes are available in half termly blocks with set collection and return dates.  They cost £60 per half term. If you require a different arrangement, please do get in touch and we will see what we can do. 

    Please use the enquiry form to learn more about booking a loan box and our Learning Officer will be in touch. 

  • Our Museum Explorers trail can now be booked as a self-guided session.  

    For this session we provide question/activity cards relating to the ground floor (Pre-History, Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Medieval) museum galleries that pupils can complete in pairs/small groups. These cards include objects to find, short activities and thought-provoking questions. 

    The resource costs £1.50 per pupil and lasts around 45 mins-1 hour.  

    Please use the enquiry form to book this session. 

     

  • From January 2026 

    Discover newly unearthed treasures from Gloucester’s past with your class or group. 

    A special self-guided resource designed to introduce pupils to archaeology, learn about the Discovery Centre project  and the treasures it unearthed will be available on request. 

    Use our enquiry form to contact the Learning team and make a booking. 

  • If your class or school is unable to visit the museum in person, why not book a Museum Inspirer to lead a learning session at your school! 

    Please indicate your interest in an Outreach session on the enquiry form here and the Learning Officer will be in touch with all available options.