2. PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS

 

Booking a Visit

It is essential school groups pre-book a visit. Please contact Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Group Bookings on 023 9283 9766. They will be happy to advise you about availability and facilities and can work out a timetable for your visit. For more specific information on any of the workshops please contact the Mary Rose Museum direct on 02392 750521.

Free Planning Visits

All teachers are encouraged to make a free planning visit. This is an opportunity for you to preview resources, plan your work, devise your risk assessment and buy any pre-visit or follow up work material. To obtain free entry you will need to bring proof of your teacher status and book in at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Visitor Centre. If you would like to meet with a member of our Learning Team during your planning visit, please make an appointment on 02392 750521.

Opening Times

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is open daily from 10am to 5.30pm March to October and 10am to 5.00pm November to February (except at Christmas). Workshops usually run during term time weekdays, but special arrangements can be made at other times, including weekends.

Costs

Discovery visit (self guided visit to the Museum and Ship Hall): KS1-4 £3.50 per pupil
Workshops: £40 per class (up to 35 pupils and adults)

Adults accompanying school parties are FREE. For Key Stage 3 & 4 a ratio of 1:8 is recommended.

Roles/Responsibilities

Teachers and accompanying adults are responsible for the discipline of school parties and groups must be supervised at all times in the Museum, Ship Hall, Shop and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Please brief all accompanying adults on arrangements for the day.
Museum staff and volunteers are on hand to help your day run smoothly and assist with questions on the Mary Rose. During workshops the session leader will run the activity. The behaviour of pupils remains the responsibility of teachers/adult helpers. Sessions work best when teachers/adults are actively involved with the activities. 

Pre-Visit/Post-Visit Work

To be really effective a museum visit should give pupils plenty to think about and do later. The more prepared pupils are for the visit the more they will get out of it.

• Downloadable resources include: worksheets, Pupils’ Notes with key facts in English PLUS translations in French, German, Polish, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Bengali.
• Ideas for pre and post-visit activities can be found on any of the appropriate workshop webpages. We always welcome work from pupils.  We exhibit selections of school work in the museum and on our website.  Please send work to: The Learning Team, The Mary Rose Trust, HM Naval Base, College Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3LX.  We are sorry that we are unable to return work that is sent to the team.
• Although designed for KS2 pupils may find background information and photos from our interactive webpages useful: ‘Explore the Mary Rose,’ ‘The Learning City’ and ‘Dive in and Discover.’
• You may also be interested in outreach visits or loan boxes – see outreach pages.

Courtesy Calls

We try to ring all schools that have booked workshops to discuss your requirements before the visit. Please let us know in advance if you have pupils with any additional needs. 02392 812931.

Evaluation and Monitoring

We aim to provide a first-class service. In order to achieve this aim, we have a system of evaluation and monitoring in place. As part of this process, you will be asked to complete an evaluation form. Please post it back to us or hand it in at the desk in the envelope provided. Comments which require a response will be answered by letter. Our policies and procedures are regularly reviewed; changes have been and will be made in response to feedback.

On Arrival

The group leader should check in at the Visitor Centre. Payment must have been made in advance. Please ensure that you arrive in good time for the start of your visit. If you are severely delayed, please ring us directly on 02392 812931. We will do our best to reschedule your visit subject to other school bookings.

Toilets

There are no toilets within the Mary Rose Museum. Toilets are situated in No.7 Boathouse and in Victory Arena. In an emergency please ask a member of staff for assistance.

Lunch Facilities

Picnic tables are at points around the site. Boathouse 7 ( situated about 50m from the Museum) can be pre-booked for eating your own packed lunches. Please note we have no facilities to store lunches.

Photography

Photography in the museum is allowed without flash. You are welcome to take photographs in the workshops to assist with post-visit work.

Health and Safety

The Mary Rose Trust have safety management processes in place to manage risk effectively. Free planning visits are available for teachers to complete their own risk assessments.

Security

Please be aware that the Historic Dockyard is part of a working Naval Base. All bags may be inspected on arrival for security purposes. Bags must be kept with visitors at all times. Do not leave any bags unattended.

First Aid

Trained staff are available, contact a member Mary Rose staff if required.

Visitors and Students

The Mary Rose Trust is a learning organisation. We offer work experience for students of all ages from this country and abroad. They may sit in on sessions or be involved in a support role. Official visitors accompanied by Trust staff may drop in to see activities in action.

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