Learning Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive an email with the following documents: Booking Confirmation, Invoice (please pass to your Finance Office for payment), Additional Information Form (please sign and return), Guidance Notes for workshops, Site Map, FAQ Document and our “in the classroom” resource pack.
For facilitated school bookings, we allocate 30 minutes for lunch in our classroom. Self-guided groups are welcome to either picnic in our grounds or book a lunch space for a fee.
Yes please. Our session leaders need to tailor the session accordingly. Please provide information on allergies, hearing/visual/mobility impairments, coordination issues, behavioural needs and ESOL. Please be aware that our compact gravel paths are not ideal for wheelchairs and some paths can become very muddy in bad weather.
Pre-visits are welcomed and encouraged during our regular opening hours. If you would like to arrange a meeting with a member of our learning team during your pre-visit, please email learning@chesterhouseestate.org
We strongly recommend that schools produce their own risk assessments. To assist with this process, our learning welcome pack includes a a risk assessment document which outlines some of the risks your students may face.
Yes! Your students are more than welcome to visit our shops. We ask that no more than 5 students are in the shop at one time.
Please see our terms and conditions for a full break down of our cancellation policy. To request this email learning@chesterhouseestate.org
Visit the about page on our website to talk to the students about the Chester House Estate and its purpose. When completing your booking you will receive a copy of our 'In the classroom' resource pack which you can use to familiarise your students with the topic.
No, there is space to drop off and pick up school groups next to our Archaeological Recourse Centre, see map for more information on this. We do not have the facilities for coaches to park all day.
If given enough notice, we can accommodate mini busses.
We are an outdoor site so please dress for the weather! Sunhats are essential when it’s hot and waterproofs are often needed throughout the year. We also recommend they wear tracksuit bottoms/jeans with school tops and wellies/walking boots. Some coach companies won’t allow the children on with muddy boots, so please consider bringing a change of footwear.
Depending on the workshop selected, learners may make items to be brought back to school. If you have selected one of these sessions, please bring a box large enough to carry these items. There is space to place lunches down at each workshop venue. We would suggest lunches consist of items that are easily disposed of after lunch. Bags and coats must be carried with you at all times.
A member of the Learning Team will welcome you outside the learning and community building and give you a copy of your timetable and a map. We will deliver a short safety brief to all children and adults. You won’t be escorted to your workshop venue, but we can provide guidance on your locations using the site map.
It is essential to stick to your timetable. We are a busy site and lunch/workshop venues are heavily used. We will do our best to adapt timings if you arrive late, but unfortunately it isn’t always possible.
Generally, we will continue as normal through poor weather. In the event of heavy rain, we may adapt your tour to be an internal tour of the museum galleries.
In cases of severe weather, such as extreme high winds or heavy snow, we will contact you if we need to postpone your visit.
Yes, children can refill their water bottles whilst they are in our learning rooms. Our café staff will also be more than happy to refill bottles.
We recommend that schools use the toilets located in our learning and community building.
There will be a first aider on duty whenever the Chester House Estate is open. However, we ask you to take responsibility for your learners’ welfare by bringing your own First Aider and First Aid kit. Please keep safe any medical items you need to bring for your children, e.g. epipens, inhalers.
During your free time you are welcome to explore our galleries, our shops, explore our walks around the site and Playground (weather-permitting).
Our welcome pack outlines our code of conduct for all learners visiting the Chester House Estate.
Teachers remain responsible for children’s behaviour at all times when visiting the Museum – this includes during the workshops. Whilst our workshop leaders will direct the learning, school staff and accompanying adults must appropriately manage the behaviour of the cohort so that our workshop leaders can focus on delivering an inspiring and engaging workshop. Children must not be left unaccompanied at any time, even if one of our team is present.
Depending on how many students you are bringing, there may be other learning groups visiting at the same time as you, along with members of the public.
Your staff are more than welcome to purchase refreshments from our Farmhouse Café, wagon hovel, our visitor centre shop and our farm shop. Please ensure all children are supervised when organising the purchase of refreshments.
After your visit, you will be sent an online evaluation form by email.
For any other questions contact the learning team directly via learning@chesterhouseestate.org