Cliffe Castle Museum
Learning and Outreach
General Visit Information for Schools and Educational Groups
· What can my school or educational group do at the museum?
Cliffe Castle Museum’s learning team offer a series of curriculum linked, hands on workshops using the museum’s collections. Details of these can be found on our website
http://www.bradfordmuseums.org/venues/learning/cliffe-castle-museum. There are also handling bags available for a small charge which encourage groups to engage with the displays and help you explore the museum - please contact the learning team for further details.
· How do I book a school or group visit?
Please book your group visit in advance even if you do not wish to have a taught workshop.
For all school and education group bookings please email and you will receive a reply within 5 working days. Please state the dates you would like to visit (we’re closed on Mondays), the workshop you’re interested in, your school/group name and a contact telephone number.
· What will happen next?
If you have booked a taught workshop you will receive a booking form by email. Please check this form carefully filling in any information and return the form (via email) to confirm the booking.
· Do I need to come and do a risk assessment?
Yes, groups are responsible for producing their own risk assessments. Risk assessment guidance is available for the museum and each of the taught workshops, please contact the learning team for copies.
During the visit
· Car park
Cliffe Castle Museum has a car park which can usually accommodate coaches. Please note that the museum entrance is down the drive from the car park adjacent to Spring Gardens Lane. Only disabled parking and drop off is available directly in front of the museum.
· On arrival
The museum opens at 10am and we regret we cannot admit groups prior to this time. Your group will be asked to sign in on entering the museum. If you have booked a taught workshop, the workshop leader will meet you in the reception area and provide your group with an introduction to the museum.
Learning Team, Cliffe Castle Museum, Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley, BD20 6LH
01535 618234
http://www.bradfordmuseums.org/venues/learning/cliffe-castle-museum
· Access and SEN
The flat access into the museum is via the conservatory (which has a doorbell). In addition there is one flat, ramped fire exit at the rear of the building exiting from the Molecules to Minerals gallery. The first floor of the museum is only accessible via the main staircase.
Please inform the learning team of any access requirements within your group at the time of booking as taught sessions can be adapted to meet individual needs.
· Toilets
The male and accessible toilets are located near the museum entrance. The female toilet is located at the start of the Airedale (fossil) Gallery. Children should always be supervised when using the toilets.
Please note that the toilets are very old and take longer than a modern toilet for the cistern to fill so please avoid flushing it after every single use, if possible.
· Behaviour
Teachers/group leaders are responsible for the behaviour of their group whilst in the museum. Food and drink cannot be consumed in any areas of the museum except the conservatory.
Most of the objects on display cannot be touched, unless otherwise indicated which is to ensure their preservation for the future. If you would like your group to get ‘hands-on’ with objects, please book one of our taught workshops.
· Lunch Space
The conservatory is available as a wet lunch space for groups to eat packed lunches and please indicate at the time of booking if you would like to use this space.
Please note that the conservatory is a public space with access through the middle and limited seating so only one class can fit in there at any one time. Please also note the conservatory is unheated so very much reflects the outdoor temperature.
· Shop
There is a small shop at the museum which sells a range of items suitable for children and which reflect the museum’s collections. If your group wishes to use the shop, please split the children into smaller groups (ideally no more than 6 children at once).
If you wish to pay for your booked workshop or handling bag by cheque or cash (rather than bank transfer) then please do so at the shop where you will be given a receipt. We cannot currently accept card payments on site.
· First Aid
You will need to ensure you have adequate first aid cover for your group. Please report any accidents to a member of museum staff at the information desk in the museum entrance area.
We hope that you enjoy your visit to Cliffe Castle Museum.
Learning Team, Cliffe Castle Museum, Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley, BD20 6LH
01535 618234
http://www.bradfordmuseums.org/venues/learning/cliffe-castle-museum
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