Planning your visit
We recommend teachers undertake a pre-visit to The Box to familiarise themselves with the galleries, facilities and current exhibitions. To support your visit we have the following pre-visit workshop and learning resources to help facilitate your visit and inspire your students.
Before visiting, if anyone in your group including staff or students has COVID-19 symptoms, we ask that you please postpone your visit to the museum.
On the day
We have a dedicated schools’ entrance on North Hill, right next to the coach drop off point. We can meet you here or at our step-free entrance on Tavistock Place. You’ll then be shown to your secure bag drop to store your coats and bags.
A typical schedule for the day will be:
| 9.50am | Arrive at The Box |
| 10am | You and your students take part in your booked workshop, with hands on activities guided by our expert facilitators. |
| 11am | Lunch in the Simmons Learning Room or the Figureheads gallery space, helping your students fuel up for the rest of the day. |
| 12pm | A free exploration of The Box’s galleries focusing on your curriculum topic, accompanied by a learning facilitator or learning volunteer. |
| 1-2pm* | Group departure or you are welcome to stay and enjoy The Box for as long as you like self-directed. |
*Typical departure times for Early Years and Key Stage 1 are 1pm, for Key Stage 2 and above, or larger group visits we recommend 2pm. Please inform your facilitator on arrival of your departure times.
Bringing more than 30 students?
No problem, your schedule for the day will be:
| Group 1 | Group 2 |
| 10am: Your workshop | 10am: Guided gallery tour |
| 11am-12pm: Lunches | 11am-12pm: Lunches |
| 12pm: Guided gallery visit | 12pm: Your workshop |
Bringing 90 or 120 students?
For these groups each class cycles through a workshop, lunch and guided tour throughout the day. Larger groups may have to self-direct around the galleries as facilitators and volunteers will be coordinating workshops and lunch spaces.
FAQs
Do you have a workshop layout?
Detailed workshop layouts are included in the
Pre-visit Workshop Resources section.
Do you have a risk assessment?
You can also download our
Teachers’ Hazard Assessment to help you to write your own risk assessment.
How do we make payment?
Visiting schools or groups will be invoiced by ARCA (Plymouth) our financial company post-visit to confirm student numbers. Please note we only accept payment through bank transfers. If your school or organisation issues purchase orders for payments, we ask that you provide us with the PO number within 7 days or we cannot confirm your booking.
What if we have to cancel?
We operate a 14 day cancellation policy as stated in our
Terms and Conditions under ‘Group Bookings’. If your booking is cancelled in less than the 14 days before the agreed workshop/tour, we will request full payment to cover facilitator and administration fees.
What if our students have special, medical or access requirements?
Please read our
Access section for detailed information on how we can support students with special or access requirements. If your students have specific medical requirements such as lunch timings or private space please contact the learning team before your visit.
Where do we eat lunch?
Lunch space is provided either in the Simmons Learning Room or in the Figureheads gallery space depending on your chosen workshop and student numbers. Both spaces provide easy access to all museum facilities.
Is there parking on-site?
The Box is located near Plymouth’s city centre with coach drop-off points located next to the museum entrances on North Hill (maximum waiting time 15 minutes). For details on short and long stay car parking locations please visit
Plymouth City Council’s parking page. Long stay coach parking is available at Plymouth Pavilions and Stagecoach South West.
Will we have any self-directed time?
If your group would like some self-directed time in the galleries and/or time to visit the museum shop please inform your facilitator on arrival. If your students are visiting the shop we recommend splitting into smaller groups with an adult for supervision.
How do we find out about upcoming exhibitions and teacher events?
To hear about upcoming exhibitions, teacher’s CPD events and fully funded school projects sign up to our newsletter ticking the ‘Learning’ box.
