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: Day Trip Destinations | OnLine Interactive Workshops | Literacy Workshops | STEM | Storytelling | Museums | Historical Heritage | Historic Buildings | Heritage Railways | Arts & Galleries | School Workshops | Art and Design | Science | Mathematics | ICT | History | Geography | Engineering | English | Drama / Performing Arts | Design and Technology | Citizenship
What we offer on a school trip
Now booking onsite museum and virtual visits for the Autumn term 2021-22.
Visit The Postal Museum for an inspiring, fun, and Covid-19 secure learning experience.
Exclusive schools-only Tuesdays for Reception, KS1 and KS2.
Schools' Programmes
Discover how postal communication changed the way we live and shaped the modern world.
Book with confidence - we’ve adapted our popular schools’ programmes to adhere to government Covid-19 guidelines and keep your students safe in our museum.
Action-packed Covid-19 secure sessions will 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.
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.
Virtual Visits
New for 2021.
Two new Reception & KS1 virtual sessions will deliver fun-packed learning shows directly to your classroom. Available on Wednesdays and bookable by schools across the UK.
Please see our website for more information about our Virtual Learning Sessions:
https://www.postalmuseum.org/visit-us/schools/virtual-learning/
The information provided (including visit days) 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/
What makes us a great choice for education?
The Postal Museum delivers 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
Exclusive schools-only Tuesdays.
Make a day of it. Fun-packed Postal Packages include an interactive session, Mail Rail ride, Mail Rail trail, time to explore our exhibitions, and a lunch slot. There is also the option for Reception and KS1 classes to add Sorted! The Postal Play Space.
Our enhanced cleaning regime and handwashing facilities throughout the museum will ensure the safety of teachers and students.
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 and 4 hours.
Schools can make a day of it with a Postal Package:
- Take part in an interactive session.
- Ride the Mail Rail train and follow a trail through the Mail Rail depot.
- Learn through play in Sorted! The Postal Play Space (aged 8 and under).
- Explore our Exhibition Galleries.
- Stay for lunch.
Group Sizes Catered For
Book for two classes from the same school bubble.
The museum is closed to the general public. Your classes will have exclusive access to spaces and activities during their visit.
Materials, Resources & Information Provided
Teachers will 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 interactive sessions at the museum and virtual visits in the classroom 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
Visit us with confidence. In line with the government guidance of July 2021, we are keeping Covid secure measures in place to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Our enhanced cleaning regime and handwashing facilities throughout the museum will ensure the safety of teachers and students.
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 an additional adult per class can request a free familiarisation visit.
Education Officer Information
School visits 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 (approximately 20 – 30 students including up to 10 adults):
- Postal Package - £180
- Postal Package with Sorted! - £220
- Virtual visit - £80
Visit our website for more information.
First Aid Information
Visitor Experience Hosts and the Schools team are qualified first aiders.
There are First Aid rooms, Changing Space room, and accessible toilets in The Postal Museum and Mail Rail.
There are also Covid-19 secure measures in place, including an isolation zone if needed.
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, lunchroom (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 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 a previous winner of Accessible Visitor Attraction of the year.
The Postal Museum and Mail Rail are fully wheelchair 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
We are open for the Autumn Term of 2021-22.
Schools can visit on Tuesdays.
Virtual visits are available on Wednesdays.
For up-to-date information about school opening dates and hours, please check The Postal Museum website.
Testimonials
"A fun way to learn about and take part in the campaign for the Victorian communications revolution!"
- Class 3 teacher
"The sorting office was my favourite bit because the parcels went up and down."
- Year 1 student (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)
