Thackray Museum of Medicine

Learn – Thackray Museum of Medicine:

School trips at Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds 

Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole, the impact of WWI, the science behind modern  medicine, and the realities of life on a Victorian street — all just a taste of what your  students could discover at Thackray Museum of Medicine.

We have something for everyone, from Early Years (EYFS) to Key Stage 4+ and all that  comes in between. Our interactive workshops and galleries explore a range of  curriculum subjects including History, Science, PSHE, and Health and Social Care.

Self-led visits 

Our 11 museum galleries offer school groups the opportunity to travel back in time to  Victorian Leeds, meet the individuals who shaped the history of medicine, and  investigate cutting edge medical technology. Explore at your own pace with bespoke  curriculum-based trails, focusing on one theme or covering multiple topics in one day.

Workshops 

Dive deeper into your chosen subject with workshops exclusive to your group. Our  workshops use our unique collection to inspire students with interactive activities and  surprising stories of medical innovation.

We can help you plan a bespoke itinerary to help your group get the most out of their  trip.

We are the UK’s largest independent medical museum. We inspire people with the  passion and purpose of medicine and healthcare of the past, present and future.

Whether your group are looking to meet Florence Nightingale for the first time or revise  developments in surgery by experiencing the real thing in our Victorian Operating  Theatre, our workshops and galleries feature something for everyone.

Each school workshop has been specifically designed with the national curriculum in  mind, supporting learning in the classroom with inspiring healthcare stories and  immersive experiences.

Primary School workshops 

Our workshops for primary school students focus on role-play, hands-on activities, and  object handling to create a memorable and engaging learning experience. They  encourage the development of historical and scientific enquiry skills with use of our  unique museum collection. Options include:

– Florence Nightingale (KS1)

– Mary Seacole (KS1)

– Victorians Alive (KS2)

– Brilliant Bones & Marvelous Muscles (KS2)

Curriculum Links: Significant Individuals, Victorians, Industrial Revolution, Science,  PSHE

Secondary School workshops 

We offer a wide range of workshops for secondary level students, particularly Key Stage  4 students studying GCSE History. These are designed to enhance classroom learning  and support revision with immersive experiences and close encounters with real  museum objects. Our workshops develop new knowledge and spark curiosity with little known stories, while also developing critical enquiry and source analysis skills. Options  include:

– Disease Street Tour (KS3)

– History of Surgery (KS4)

– WW1: Treatments & The Trenches (KS4)

– Legacies of our Medical Past (KS4/5)

Curriculum Links: History, Industrial Britain, Victorian Britain, Health & The People,  Medicine in Britain, Science, Biology, Citizenship, PSHE, Health & Social Care

See our programme, with a full list of self-led trails and workshop options, on our  website: Learn – Thackray Museum of Medicine 

To find out more, fill in our enquiry form or contact our

team: learning@thackraymuseum.org or call 0113 244 4343.

Our workshops are designed for classes of up to 36 students.

We can take up to 5 full classes onsite at one time.

Resources to accompany self-led visits can be found here: Self Led Trail Resources – Thackray Museum of Medicine 

Primary Trails- Open Wide- Key Stage 1 and 2 

– Who looks after you? (KS1 & KS2)

– Timeline trail (KS2)

– History is all around us (KS2)

Secondary and Above Trails – Scrub Up – Key Stage 3 and 4+ 

– Who looks after you (KS3 & KS4)

– Public Health (KS4)

– Pain, pus and blood (KS4)

– Medical Innovations (KS4)

– Bugs, bloods and drugs (KS4)

– Health and social care highlights (KS4)

– Disability: From inaction to fashion (KS3)

Need help preparing for your trip? Contact learning@thackraymuseum.org or call 0113  244 4343.

We welcome photographs and filming.

Please feel free to share with us and if you do post on social media, tag us  (@thackraymuseum) so we see how much you enjoyed the trip.

When capturing any photography, film or audio we ask group leaders to be mindful of  other visitors

We’ll provide general risk assessments and a welcome pack once a booking is made. We also offer two free teacher pre-visits per school to assist with carrying out risk assessments.

Please complete the enquiry form here: Enquiry form – Thackray Museum of Medicine 

Alternatively, you can speak to a member of our team to see how we can best support  your students – learning@thackraymuseum.org or on 0113 244 4343.

Prices are charged per class (up to 36 students):

• £250 per class for self-led visits
• £340 per class for visits with a workshop
• We offer special rates for smaller groups.

All accompanying adult places are complimentary.

Our required adult to student ratio is 1:6 for primary school students and 1:15 for  secondary school students.

First aid is available on site.

• Café (vegetarian, vegan and halal options available)
• Gift shop
• Toilets
• School lunchroom
• Lockable bag storage for groups
• Coach and minibus parking

A member of staff will welcome your group on arrival at museum and direct you to the  facilities above.

For more information, please see our website: Visit – Thackray Museum of Medicine

• Lift to all floors
• Accessible Toilets & Changing Places toilet
• Guide Dogs welcome
• We can provide wheelchairs
• Seating available on gallery
• Quiet Space available
• We offer relaxed openings and SEND education sessions
• Visual Guide available

We will ask you to detail any access requirements your group has during the booking  process, to help us make your visit as enjoyable as possible.

For more information, please see our website:Facilities and accessibility – Thackray Museum of Medicine Or contact us directly via learning@thackraymuseum.org.

We are open daily, except Tuesdays: 10am–4pm (last admission 3.15pm) We remain open for pre-booked education visits on Tuesdays. 

We are open 7-days a week during Leeds school holidays.

We advise two hours minimum for a full tour of the museum (you can have a preview of  what to see in our online gallery tour)