Yorkshire Air Museum

What makes us a great choice for education?

Every year, the educational team at the Yorkshire Air Museum accompanies hundreds of school children and their teachers on their learning journey, a school visit at the Museum being a unique experience which children will remember for years to come.

Over the years, the Museum has become one of the most interesting and dynamic museums of its type in the country. As well as being home to the only Allied Air Forces Memorial in Europe, the Yorkshire Air Museum is the largest independent aviation museum in the UK, with an acclaimed aircraft collection of aircraft showcasing flight from its very early origins in Yorkshire through to the latest technology of the supersonic age. The Museum is based on the original wartime RAF Elvington station and children can experience wartime life when visiting the Officers Mess, the original Control Tower and the Airmen’s Billet.

The exhibitions and displays at the Yorkshire Air Museum cover a wealth of curriculum subjects. Guided activities are available for the following subjects: Early Flight and the development of aviation technology; Pioneers of aviation (Heroes of History); Hands-on WWII; Aviation during the First World War. 

This year, we are very proud that our Volunteer School Guides have been awarded the Highly Commended award for Volunteers in Learning for the Yorkshire region by the British Museum Marsh Trust for their guided activities delivered to schools.  

What is typically included on our school trips?

On a typical school visit, the Museum welcomes your school party after 10 am. After a short introductory welcome, the pupils are split into 2 to 4 small groups and taken on discovery tours of the Museum by our friendly guides.

Over the course of the day, each group will get to experience the various aspects, histories and displays the Museum has to offer in relation to the subject they are studying. Each school visit is planned individually and tailored to the school’s curriculum focus.

Typically, pupils will go through two guided sessions in the morning, have lunch in our dedicated room and complete a third session in the afternoon before departing between 2 and 3 pm. Each visit also includes some time in our Air Power Zone where pupils can play and get to sit in open cockpits.

Group Sizes Catered For

We cater for school groups with 20 to 60 pupils.

Materials, Resources & Information Provided

On confirmation of a school trip, the lead teacher will be sent a teacher’s resource pack including relevant risk assessment, site map, work sheets and guidance to optimize their visit. The Museum has also developed a combination of self-led trails and a publication, all of which are relevant to different parts of the 2018/2019 KS2 curriculum.

Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions

We have no restrictions as far are taking photos, videos or audios as long as teachers have full approval from parents for children to do so.

Risk Assessment Details

Upon confirming a school visit, teachers are invited to visit the museum for free to conduct their own assessment. The Museum also has a generic school visit risk assessment which can be used and adapted for each visit by the teachers.

Education Officer Information

Our Public Engagement and Learning Officer is Barbara George, 01904 608246, For school visit enquiries, please email: aircraft@yorkshireairmuseum.org

Pricing Information

School group booking rates are:
Admission only: £4.50 per child. 1 free adult per 10 children. Additional adults are charged at £6.00 each.
Guided Activities: £2.50 per child. 

Clothing Requirements

No specific clothing is required although as some of the exhibits are outdoors we recommend weatherproof clothing.

First Aid Information

The Museum has first aid facilities and qualified personnel on site.

Available Facilities

The Museum has a fully licensed restaurant serving hot meals and refreshments, a picnic area, a family open cockpit area and a Museum Shop where children can purchase small souvenirs for as little as 50p. 

Upon booking a school visit, the school will have a specific indoor area reserved where children can eat their own pack up lunch.

Accessibility & Disabled Facilities

Our site is entirely accessible by wheelchair with the exception of the first floor of our Heritage Listed Control Tower.

Opening Hours & Information

7 days a week, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm during British Summertime and 10.00 am to 4.00 pm during British Wintertime. 

Testimonials

‘I just wanted to thank you and your team for a fantastic day today at Elvington.  The children and the adult helpers all came back so enthused!  We were particularly excited to see the displays about Amy Johnson, who has captured the imagination of my class! Please pass on our thanks to our lovely guides - Alan and Bill communicated really nicely with the children and brought the museum to life.’ November 2018, Carlton Miniott School

‘Our Year 6 children from Kirkbymoorside Primary School visited the Yorkshire Air Museum as part of an RAF100 project.  The organisation and timings were set out in advance and we were supplied with all relevant information before our visit.  When we arrived, we were greeted by Barbara and her team who were extremely cheerful and enthusiastic.  Our day consisted of three guided tours, all of which were led by experienced members of staff that worked brilliantly with the children.  Their knowledge and skills was evident and the children therefore learned many new and interesting facts.  We had a fantastic day and it will be an experience both the children and staff from Kirkbymoorside will never forget.’ November 2018, Kirkby Moorside Primary School

‘Today, Years 5 and 6 visited Yorkshire Air Museum for a World War 2 workshop to support our current topics in school. When we arrived, we were given a brief discussion about the site and its history and what we could expect from the day. Each of the 3 groups received a guided tour of the hanger which contained several historical planes (not just from WW2), a crash course in becoming a paratrooper as well as the opportunity to view some original WW2 artifacts.

The day was fantastic from start to finish. The children were impeccably behaved, engaged throughout and asked intelligent questions. Thanks again for a fantastic visit today, we all loved it. Please thank all members of your team who made the day truly memorable.’ October 2018, Trinity Academy Richmond 

Other Information

The Museum is a multi award winning attraction, dubbed by visitors as ‘a must see place’, ‘great for families’ and ‘absolutely awesome’. A visit to the Yorkshire Air Museum ensures an evocative and entertaining journey back in time where pupils can witness first-hand the rich past of an authentic wartime base as well as learn about the development of aviation from its early days to the present.

The Museum is ideally located on the outskirts of York, easily accessed by car or coach with secure free on-site car park.