Teachers are advised to carry out a preliminary visit in advance of their school trip in order to conduct their own risk assessment. Responsibility for pupils on school visits remains with the teachers at all times.
Everyday hazards such as slipping, tripping or falling on stairs, trapping fingers in doors and cuts and bruises are inherent in all environments. The following site-specific factors should be considered in relation to the individual needs of each group member.
External Environment
- IWM Duxford is divided into two sites by a busy main road. The public site is located to the south of the road. The site is fenced with entry and exit gates.
- There is a large car park in front of the Visitor Centre.
- Part of the site is an active airfield. Visitors must obey prohibited entry signs.
- Vehicles are driven on site and aircraft are often moved from hangars on to the airfield. The site is particularly busy around our Air Shows. For further details of our Air Show dates, please see our Air Show pages.
- With the exception of the mobility assistance vehicle, vehicular access is limited to the back road of the site as a general principle. There is a site speed limit of 15 mph.
- Litter and other objects can cause catastrophic damage to aircraft engines. Please ensure that all loose objects are disposed of appropriately.
- There is an adventure playground for children aged 9 and under. Supervision by an adult is required.
Internal Environment
- IWM Duxford consists of a number of buildings with a variety of entrances/exits, galleries and exhibition spaces with different lighting levels and on a number of floors, spread over a very large site. This can be very disorientating. It is suggested that a meeting point in a highly visible location be agreed with all group members.
- Exhibits are protected by barriers in most of the museum spaces. However, there is freedom to walk very close to the exhibits in the American Air Museum.
- Conservation and restoration work takes place regularly in public view, although at a safe distance from visitors.
- Exhibitions may display material relating to the consequences of conflict. Teachers should consider what is age-appropriate for their students.
Supervision
- Groups must have the correct adult-to-student ratio 1:15 minimum (1:10 recommended).
- IWM Duxford reserves the right to refuse admission to groups who do not meet this ratio on the day.
- Lost pupils should speak to any member of staff (identifiable by their IWM name badges).
- Supervising adults must remain with their students at all times to supervise their activities, monitor their behaviour, ensure their health and safety, and accompany them in the event of an evacuation.
Behaviour
Supervising adults should ensure that their pupils understand how they are expected to behave. If the behaviour of anyone in your group adversely affects the safety or enjoyment of other visitors or staff, or causes damage to exhibits, this person may be asked to leave. Please brief your students about appropriate behaviour and have contingency measures in place in case anyone is asked to leave the building.
Fire and Evacuation
Supervising adults should familiarise themselves with the locations of all the fire exits. They should brief their pupils and accompanying adults about the evacuation procedures and agree an assembly point on site in advance of their visit. A siren and announcements over the public-address system are used to alert staff and visitors of an evacuation. Lifts should not be used.
At the Assembly Point, teachers should take the register and report any missing persons to a member of IWM Duxford security staff.
First Aid
- IWM Duxford has members of staff trained to provide basic first aid treatment, although first aid provision is ultimately the responsibility of the teacher leading the group.
- Please ask a member of staff if you require any treatment during your visit.
- Please report any accidents to the Guardroom for recording in the accident book.
Museum Staff
- All employees, volunteers, partners and contractors on site have passed through a security vetting system. Staff and volunteers carry ID cards with their photograph so they can be recognised by visitors.
- Staff working directly with students are experienced in working with children and have undergone an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure.
- IWM has a Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults policy in place.
- Please report any incident or allegation of inappropriate behaviour to a member of staff immediately.
Security
- Please do not leave bags or other personal items unattended.
- If you see anything suspicious please report it to a member of staff immediately.
- Please do not touch any unattended item.
Clothing
IWM Duxford has both internal and external spaces spread out across a large site. Sensible footwear and outdoor clothing is recommended.
Activities
- Any materials or weapons to be handled as part of programmed activities have been risk-assessed.
- Staff leading the activities will advise those taking part of any necessary precautions.
- Protective clothing and equipment will be provided when necessary.
- Staff leading the activities will advise those taking part of any necessary precautions.
- Food for tasting purposes has been prepared in a location that complies with strict environmental conditions.
- Food used for demonstration purposes also has control measures in place.
- Please advise us of any allergies if you are participating in any food-related activity.
- Where events are operated in conjunction with partners, risk assessments will have been provided to IWM staff.