Barnsley Museums provides innovative ways to explore our sites, objects and outdoor spaces through inspiring and engaging learning programmes which challenge and delight pupils of all ages.

Our museums and heritage sites provide unique opportunities for children to explore extraordinary spaces through immersive and enriching activities. Be inspired by our unique buildings, landscapes and objects, and discover how arts and culture can support you to teach a Creative Curriculum.

‘It is not learning out of a book or learning because you’ve been told something. You can learn for yourself and work things out.’

In person workshops

We have an inspiring range of fully Risk Assessed workshops which we can deliver at our venues or as outreach sessions. Please note that teachers and adult helpers are responsible for students’ behaviour and safety at all times. All group leaders should carry out their own risk assessment prior to their visit. We will discuss all workshops in detail on booking and offer familiarisation visits for onsite sessions. All school bookings are taken in advance, and enquiries must be made at least 4 weeks before the preferred date of your visit or session.

Self-led visits

We offer self-led visits to all of our museums free of charge, however we ask all groups, including schools, nurseries and colleges to book in advance to ensure there are no clashes with booked workshops. Lunch spaces can be booked at Experience Barnsley and Worsbrough Mill for self-led groups at a cost of £35.

Please email learning@barnsley.gov.uk to book your visit.

How much do workshops and resources cost?

Our fees from April 2024 are below:

Trips to our museums

Full day workshop - £280 per class
Half day workshop - £160 per class

We offer a discounted price for groups of 20 or fewer, please contact us to discuss options

Outreach sessions

Full day workshop - £280 per class
Half day workshop - £160 per class

We offer a discounted price for groups of 20 or fewer, please contact us to discuss options

Loan boxes

Barnsley Museums offers specially made loan boxes available for hire in schools, featuring a selection of real and replica objects. From Vikings to Victorians, Romans to Toys we have something for your topic!

We charge £60 per half term for each loan box. Each box comes with accompanying notes and information for teachers. Loan boxes must be collected from and returned to Experience Barnsley Museum.

Schools who hire our boxes can then claim a 10% discount when booking a workshop at one of our sites in the same academic year.

Online workshops

We charge £70 per session for online workshops (maximum of one class of 36 pupils per session)

Accessibility

Our workshops can be adapted to support any specific educational needs your group may have, please contact these to discuss these in advance.

Our terms and conditions

We take a maximum of 36 children per class, per workshop, which must include a minimum ratio of 1 adult per 6 children.

Cancellation fees

Once your booking form is returned, your booking is confirmed in our diary and cancellation fees become applicable.


If the trip is cancelled a month before the booking, no cancellation fee will be charged.
If the trip is cancelled between one month and one week in advance of the booking, we will in the first instance look to rearrange the visit. If this is not possible, 50% of the workshop fee will be charged.
If the trip is cancelled within one week of the booking, we will in the first instance look to rearrange the visit. If this is not possible, the full workshop fee will be charged.

Risk Assessment

A separate Risk Assessment will be provided which is specifically tailored to your visit. This will have been carried out by the member of staff responsible for the activity and signed off on by their line manager. It is the responsibility of the class teacher to familiarise themselves and other relevant staff with this in advance of the day. Our staff are available to answer any questions before the visit. Teachers are also encouraged to make a familiarisation visit to the museum if an onsite trip is booked for the purposes of their own risk assessment.

First Aid

Schools must bring a qualified first aider and their own first aid kit with them in case of any injuries on the visit. It is up to the school staff to administer First Aid to anybody from the school on the trip. A member of the Barnsley Museums staff will also be first aid trained in case of any emergencies.

It is the responsibility of the school to make our staff aware of any allergies pupils may have which will affect the visit, particularly when attending workshops with a cooking element. Teachers will be asked to sign an allergen sheet on the day of the workshop. It is the responsibility of the school to administer any treatment such as epi-pens if necessary during the visit.

A full copy of Barnsley Museums' Safeguarding Policy is available on request.

Please browse the learning opportunities we have available below, or use the filters to search for specific criteria: