The Postal Museum London
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15-20 Phoenix Place,, London, Middlesex, WC1X 0DA
MONTHS OPEN
DAYS OPEN
AGE GROUPS SERVED
Listed under: Mathematics | STEM | Storytelling | Museums | Historical Heritage | Historic Buildings | Heritage Railways | Arts & Galleries | Day Trip Destinations | Science | Art and Design | ICT | History | Geography | Engineering | English | Drama / Performing Arts | Design and Technology | Citizenship
What we offer on a school trip
Please note, The Postal Museum is currently closed and the information provided below (including opening hours) is subject to change. For the latest updates on school trips to the museum, please visit The Postal Museum website: https://www.postalmuseum.org/visit-us/schools/
Visit us and discover how postal communication changed the way we live and shaped the modern world.
Schools programmes
Action-packed sessions explore stories around communication and support learning across the curriculum with a focus on science, history and literacy. Our engaging Schools Team will inspire your students to make meaningful connections in their own lives.
More to explore
Explore interactive exhibition galleries packed with intriguing objects, innovative inventions and ground-breaking technology that brings to life 500 years of history through the post.
Hop aboard Mail Rail and travel back in time on a tiny train through the tunnels of London’s hidden postal railway. Delve into the nuts and bolts of Mail Rail in the hands-on exhibition down in the original train depot.
Learn through play in Sorted! A mini mail themed town for children aged 8 and under to get dressed for the job and have sack loads of fun delivering the post.
What makes us a great choice for education?
The Postal Museum is an award-winning learning experience for your school. Our experienced Schools Team will provoke your students’ curiosity for history and science and make communications links across the curriculum.
Postal Packages
New for 2019 – 2020. Make a day of it with a Postal Package and get a discount on your trip. Select your activities and let us plan your first class visit.
Communication in the classroom
Teachers can download free digital resources including teachers’ notes, activities and interactive PowerPoints.
Accreditation and Awards
The Postal Museum was awarded accessible attraction of the year in 2019. Our school programmes have been awarded the Sandford award for learning.
What is typically included on our school trips?
A typical visit to The Postal Museum lasts between 2 – 4 hours.
Schools are encouraged to make a day of it with a postal package:
- Select a facilitated interactive session or a galleries discovery tour
- Ride Mail Rail train and visit the Mail Rail depot
- Learn through play in Sorted! The Postal Play Space (aged 8 and under)
- Eat your lunch in our dedicated Lunch Space
Group Sizes Catered For
Schools can book for up to 3 classes of 35 students with up to 10 accompanying adults per class included in the price.
Materials, Resources & Information Provided
Schools receive a Welcome Pack with information to support their visit including links to resources and activity ideas.
The Postal Museum provides free digital learning resources including videos, games, teachers’ notes, activity ideas and PowerPoints.
Learning resources support facilitated workshops at the museum and are available for teachers across the UK to download and use in their teaching.
Resources support different curriculum subjects with activities for different key stages:
- The Jolly Postman literacy learning programme for EYFS and KS1 in partnership with Penguin Random House and endorsed by the National Literacy Trust.
- Pop It In The Post and Last Post: The Postal Service in the First World War, History and Literacy resources for KS1 – 3 funded by Royal Mail.
- Cracking Code Breakers and Mail Rail STEM and Computing resources for KS2 - 3 with British Science Association CREST SuperStar Challenges.
Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions
Schools are encouraged to photograph their visit and share their photos with us on social media @thepostalmuseum.
Flash photography is restricted in the exhibition galleries and Mail Rail ride.
Risk Assessment Details
Teachers will be sent a Welcome Pack including risk assessments for the museum and activities as part of the booking information.
The lead teacher and another adult per class can request a free familiarization visit. Our schools team lead monthly teacher tours to find out more about what we offer.
Education Officer Information
School sessions are delivered by a team of experienced learning facilitators, supported by Schools volunteers.
Teachers are welcome to contact The Postal Museum Box Office team to ask questions about school visits.
Email: schools@postalmuseum.org Call: 0300 0300 700
Pricing Information
Activities are priced per class of 20 – 30 students including up to 10 adults:
- Interactive sessions - £80
- Gallery Discovery tours - £60
- Mail Rail ride - £100
- Sorted! - £50 (suitable for children aged 8 and under).
Schools are encouraged to book a Postal Package which offers the best value.
Most schools choose to book a facilitated session with the Mail Rail ride and/or Sorted! (for children aged 8 and under) This is a cost of between £6 – £8 per student.
Entry to The Postal Museum Exhibition Galleries is included in the Postal Package price. Facilities include a Lunch Room, and lockable bag and coat cupboards.
Self-guided visits are available with individually priced activities. Smaller groups will pay per student. Visit our website for more information.
First Aid Information
Yes. Visitor Experience Hosts and Schools team are qualified first aiders.
There are First Aid rooms, Changing Space room, and accessible toilets in The Postal Museum and Mail Rail.
Available Facilities
The Postal Museum is split across two sites, separated by a road with a zebra crossing.
The Postal Museum facilities:
- Welcome Space, exhibition galleries, shop, café and accessible toilets.
- Learning Space for interactive sessions, Lunch Room (Prayer room) and lockable bag and coat cupboards.
- Outdoor Courtyard for schools to eat lunch on sunny days.
Mail Rail
- Welcome Space, shop, first aid room and entrance to Sorted!
- Mail Rail ride, accessible Mail Rail show and exhibition, changing places room, and accessible disabled toilets are below ground and accessed by stairs or lift.
Sorted!
- Accessible toilets and bench seating to consume snacks and drinks.
Accessibility & Disabled Facilities
The Postal Museum is the winner of 2019 Accessible Visitor Attraction of the year.
The Postal Museum and Mail Rail are fully wheel chair accessible. Large print guides are available for our exhibitions. Both exhibitions have a hearing induction loop.
Sorted! is accessible for children with physical disabilities apart from the upper deck of the sorting office play area where students may need additional support.
A Changing Places room is available in Mail Rail with changing facilities, a toilet, bed and hoist. This room can be used as a quiet space upon request.
Mail Rail Film is available for visitors who would prefer not to ride Mail Rail for access reasons.
Opening Hours & Information
Testimonials
‘A fun way to learn about and take part in the campaign for the Victorian communications revolution!’ Class 3 teacher (Pop It In the Postinteractive session)
‘The sorting office was my favourite bit because the parcels went up and down.’ Year 1 pupil (Visit to Sorted!)
‘Educational and entertaining. It brought to life a hidden part of our local history.’ Year 4 teacher (Mail Rail ride and Mail Rail Science Show)
