Imperial War Museum London
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Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ
MONTHS OPEN
DAYS OPEN
AGE GROUPS SERVED
Listed under: Art and Design | OnLine Interactive Workshops | School Virtual Tours | STEM | Museums | Ships & Maritime Museums | Historical Heritage | Day Trip Destinations | Science | History | English | Citizenship | World War Tours
What we offer on a school trip
IWM London tells the story of conflict from 1914 to the present day. We offer a variety of learning sessions, including Documentary Challenge, We Were There: Ask Questions about Conflict, and the award-winning Holocaust Learning Programme. Our sessions are aimed at KS2-4 and led by one of our expert educators. Alternatively, groups can choose to explore the museum on a free self-guided visit.
All school visits must be pre-booked and school group access to the Holocaust Galleries is only permitted as part of our Holocaust Learning Session.
What makes us a great choice for education
Imperial War Museums is the world's leading museum of war and conflict. The museum was first founded during the First World War and is committed to giving voices to the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people who lived or are living through conflicts.
Both our bookable learning sessions and self-guided visits help students and groups to unfold people's stories in various ways, through digital technologies, handling objects and conversations with veterans and eyewitnesses of conflict. Teachers can also tailor their sessions to themes or time in history.
What is typically included on our school trips
Self-guided visit: Students will be greeted by one of our "Meet and Greet" volunteers upon their arrival at the West Entrance (subject to availability). Our volunteers will provide the essential information for the school's visit and an insightful introduction to the museum. Alongside their booking, the school will be given a dedicated time slot to use the lunchroom and baskets for students to store their belongings.
Documentary Challenge: This 45-minute digital-led session is delivered by one of our learning experts. In a group of three, the student will be given a clapper board and a mobile phone to create a documentary of their chosen object in the gallery. The recorded video will be accessible to the school after the session and stored securely in a private cloud database.
We Were There: This is a unique chance for students to meet veterans and eyewitnesses from the Second World War to today, hear their personal stories, ask questions and connect through conversations.
Holocaust Learning Programme: Through self-guided and directed study, students will be given space to examine these questions by looking at personal stories and objects in The Holocaust Galleries. They will be encouraged to think about the role of individuals, groups, governments and much more. At the end of the session, students will come together in the Taube Family Holocaust Learning Centre to discuss what they have learned and to record a personal reflection about the Holocaust and its legacy.
Group Sizes Catered For
We can accommodate school groups of any size, although we will ask you to stagger your arrival times by groups of 60. Learning Sessions can accommodate groups of 30 at a time.
Materials, Resources & Information Provided
Our website offers a variety of online resources for KS2 - KS3, including gallery guides, interactive classroom resources and continuing professional development materials for teachers. All of these are free, and you can download them anytime.
We have a number of Learning Resources available for free online:
here: Learning Resources | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)
Trails and gallery guides for both KS2 and KS3 available for free here: School Visit Resources at IWM London | Imperial War Museums
Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions
You are welcome to take photos and video for personal, non-commercial use. Please respect the privacy of other Museum visitors, avoid the use of flash and tripods, and taking photos or filming people without permission. Please observe signage indicating where photography and filming is not permitted.
Our copyright policy can be found here https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/policies/copyright and safeguarding policy can be found here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/2022-05/IWM%20Safeguarding%20Policy%20%282022%29%20.pdf
Risk Assessment Details
Teachers are advised to carry out a preliminary visit in advance of their school trip in order to conduct their own risk assessment. Responsibility for pupils on school visits remains with the teachers at all times.
Everyday hazards such as slipping, tripping, or falling on stairs, trapping fingers in doors and cuts and bruises are inherent in all environments. The following site-specific factors should be considered in relation to the individual needs of each group member.
Our full Risk Identification guide can be found here: Risk Identification IWM London | Imperial War Museums
Education Officer Information
To book a learning session or a school visit please visit https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-london/schools. Booking Contact: LearningBookings@iwm.org.ukk
Pricing Information
Our self-guided visits are free, for more information please visit: Self-Guided Visits | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)
If you would like to book a session for your group please visit our bookings page for up to date prices: Learning sessions at IWM London | Imperial War Museums
Self-guided visits are free, but booking is essential.
To book a learning session or a school visit please visit: https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-london/schools. Booking Contact: LearningBookings@iwm.org.uk
Clothing Requirements
There is not specific clothing require for a visit with us, however, we would advise your students to come in their usually school attire or wear a lanyard.
First Aid Information
You will receive a short safety briefing at the start of your visit if you have booked with our team. This will provide any necessary information you may require. Please feel free to ask for any additional information needed. We would recommend school teachers bring their school trip first aid kit with them as they tour around the museum.
Our front of house Security Team can assist you on your visit. Please find the nearest member of staff and they will be able to assist you if an incident should occur.
Available Facilities
- There are toilets and accessible restrooms across the museum.
- Lunchrooms for school groups are available for free upon request and slots are given on a first come first served basis.
- Bag room to store your belongings.
- Quite rooms (in the museum and in the learning centre)
- Shop (pre-booked goodie bags are available
Accessibility & Disabled Facilities
Step-free access to the museum is via the West Entrance. If you're looking at the front of the museum, the West Entrance is located on the right-hand side of the building, just past the Café entrance.
A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available for loan, free of charge. If you think you may need one during your visit, please let our booking team know.
Further details for accessibility can be found here: Accessibility at IWM London | Imperial War Museums
Opening Hours & Information
The museum opens Monday – Sunday 10am-6pm every day, with the exception of 24-26 December. Learning sessions and Meet & Greet can be offered Monday to Friday during term time, subject to availability.
Testimonials
“The session helped the pupils to think analytically and not just about history but about diversity, British values, and life learning. They are now more aware of what is going on in the world and their place in it.” – Key Stage 2 Teacher booking a We Were There session
"An incredible way for students to learn. The opportunity to explore, be creative, make choices, voice their thoughts and do so with the rigidness of having to know an examiners mark scheme. Teachers crave being able to support students in learning this way. A wonderful experience!" – Key Stage 3 Teacher, Documentary Challenge session
"A thoroughly 21st century learning event which genuinely helps to develop historical and deeper understanding of the past." – Key Stage 3 Teacher
Other Information
COMING SOON: In 2024 we are launching a new learning programme exploring art and history through our new Blatvanik Art, Film and Photography Gallery. This session will be aimed at KS3 and up and will explore and develop an understanding of the role of art in the First and Second World wars. For more information keep on eye on our website or email our bookings team LearningBookings@iwm.org.uk
Take a look at our pre visit page to enhance your visit: Schools Pre-visit Information IWM London | Imperial War Museums
Please take a look at our school bookings Terms and Conditions: Terms and Conditions IWM London | Imperial War Museums
Please also see our Schools Code of Conduct: Schools Code of Conduct | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)
IWM wishes to ensure that all children and vulnerable adults are safe and protected from harm whilst visiting its premises.
Our safeguarding policy and accompanying procedures outline the safeguarding systems we have in place: Safeguarding Policy 2018.pdf (iwm.org.uk)
