Schools

Visits and Learning Sessions

A visit to one of IWM's five branches will:

Develop students’ skills of historical enquiry
Boost their understanding of cause and consequence, chronology and historical significance
Explore interpretation using our unparalleled national Collections
Visit one of our branches: IWM London, IWM North, IWM Duxford, Churchill War Rooms or HMS Belfast.

Visits can be self directed and incorporate investigation of our historic sites as well as exploration of a range of exhibitions and galleries.

During term time schools can also choose to include one of our learning sessions in their visit. These are curriculum-mapped for History, Art, Citizenship, Science or Literacy and involve artefact handling and evaluating evidence.

IWM London Learning Sessions

Shoes on display in the Holocaust Exhibition

Shoes taken from concentration camp prisoners © IWM

IWM London

The Holocaust: Introduction to the Exhibition

Through discussion and reflection students will prepare to visit The Holocaust Exhibition. Students are also given an audio guide to navigate their way through a chronological narrative of the Holocaust and deepen their understanding of events in Nazi-occupied Europe and beyond.

Evacuee children photographed for the Ministry of Information

Evacuee children © IWM (HU 100790)

IWM London

Second World War: Meet an Evacuee

Students in years 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to meet a Second World War eyewitness who can answer students' questions and share their memories of evacuation and life on the home front.

Group of School Children on Documentary Challenge

IWM

IWM London

Documentary Challenge

This interactive session asks students to use historical enquiry skills to make a mini-documentary to question, consider, debate and evaluate sources.

IWM London

We Were There: Ask Questions About Conflict (KS2)

This interactive session is a unique chance to meet veterans and eyewitnesses to hear real stories of conflict and build on the Key Stage 2 curriculum through a cross-curricular approach.

School visits to IWM London

Self-Guided Visits

A visit to IWM London may support studies of war and conflict from 1914 until the present day. Request a visit

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IWM

School visits to IWM London

Bookings are now open for school groups to visit IWM London between September 2018 – April 2019.

Book now

IWM North Learning Sessions

Life in Nazi Germany young boys holding flags.

IWM North

The Holocaust: Life in Germany 1919 – 1939

Students will deepen their understanding of how political, economic and social change in Germany affected the people who lived there.

IWM North

The Holocaust: People and Objects

Through looking at the artefacts on display and hearing personal stories, students gain an insight into the impact of the Holocaust on survivors and their families.

Two veterans sit in front of a group of children

IWM North

We Were There: Ask Questions About Conflict KS2

This interactive session is a unique chance to meet veterans and eyewitnesses to hear real stories of conflict and build on the Key Stage 2 curriculum through a cross-curricular approach.

IWM

IWM North

Documentary Challenge: Gallery based including First World War, Second World War or post 1945

This interactive session asks students to use historical enquiry skills to make a mini-documentary to question, consider, debate and evaluate sources.

Schools Programme at Imperial War Museum North. Photographed 21st March 2018.

IWM North

Ministry of Memory: Remembrance from The First World War to today

This interactive session investigates Remembrance and personal stories from the First World War.

IWM North

Activity Trails

A series of trails have been created to help your students explore IWM North. Our trails encourage your students to look closely at some key items on display linked to a particular theme.

Two veterans sit on chairs in front of a group of school children

IWM North

We Were There: Ask Questions about Conflict (KS3)

This interactive session is a unique chance to meet veterans and eyewitnesses to hear real stories of conflict and build on the Key Stage 3 curriculum through a cross-curricular approach.

School visits to IWM North

©Jill Jennings

Self-Guided Visits

Explore displays on First and Second World War themes such as the Blitz, evacuation, life on the home front, rationing and trench warfare.

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© IWM

School visits to IWM North

Bookings are now open for school groups to visit IWM North between September 2018 – December 2019.

Book now

IWM Duxford Learning Sessions

Students taking part in Cold War Learning Session, Duxford

IWM

IWM Duxford

The Cold War: The Shadow of the Future

This interactive session investigates Cold War History, decision-making and consequences for Key Stage 4.

IWM Duxford

Activity trails at IWM Duxford

A series of trails have been created to help your students explore IWM Duxford. Our trails encourage your students to look closely at some key items on display linked to a particular theme.

IWM

IWM Duxford

School visits to IWM Duxford

Self-Guided Visits

Explore the former RAF fighter station that was used during both the First and Second World Wars.

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School Visits to IWM Duxford

Bookings are now open for school groups to visit IWM Duxford between September 2018– December 2019.

Book now

Churchill War Rooms Visits

Self Guided Visits

A visit to IWM Churchill War Rooms may support studies of the Second World War home front, Winston Churchill or British government and politics.

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School visits to Churchill War Rooms

Bookings are now open for school groups to visit Churchill War Rooms between September 2018 – April 2019.

Book now

HMS Belfast Visits

HMS Belfast, Visitors on the captain's deck

Self Guided Visits

A visit to HMS Belfast may support studies of the Second World War, Arctic Convoys, Korean War or The River Thames.

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IWM

Kip in a Ship

Sleep overnight on board HMS Belfast and experience life below deck in this adventure on the River Thames. Kip in a Ship offers an exciting and affordable sleepover experience for schools or youth groups with children aged 7-18 in the heart of London.

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IWM

School visits to HMS Belfast

Bookings are now open for school groups to visit HMS Belfast between September 2018 – April 2019.

Book now