Below you'll find information to assist you when completing your own risk assessment during a preliminary visit to the site. Please remember that a risk assessment document is only valid if completed by the teacher.
Download a hazard identification sheet (PDF)
If you have need any further advice, give us a call on 0330 058 0058.
Supervision
Locomotion is a public building and your group will be sharing the space with many other visitors. We require adult leaders to remain with their groups at all times, to ensure their safeguarding, manage them during an evacuation and supervise behaviour.
Groups must have the correct adult-to-student ratios:
- Ages 5 and under – 1:4
Ages 5 to 11 – 1:8
Ages 11 to 16 – 1:10
Ages 16 to 18 – 1:30
Over-18s – 1 responsible adult per group
Before the visit, discuss appropriate conduct with your group.
We are committed to ensuring all our visitors feel welcome and enjoy their experience with us. If the behaviour of anyone in your group adversely affects the health and safety of other visitors or staff or causes damage to the collection, this person may be asked to leave.
Please have contingency measures in place in case anyone is asked to leave the building. Get in touch with us prior to your visit if you have any questions regarding this matter.
If someone finds themselves separated from the group they should ask one of our uniformed staff for help. Our staff will contact our Duty Manager who will call the lead adult on the mobile number supplied at the time of booking.
If you realise that someone has become separated from the group or you have any other safeguarding concerns please report the situation to our Duty Manager on 07742 848938.
Museum staff
It is mandatory for all staff to undertake relevant safeguarding awareness training; those who work regularly or intensively with children, young people or adults at risk have undergone Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
Staff delivering educational events have relevant experience and training.
The museum has written health and safety policy statements. Daily safety checks are carried out on all galleries and hazards are isolated or rectified immediately.
All staff attend mandatory health and safety training courses, and the museum is subject to an annual independent audit to ensure that health and safety standards are maintained.
Exhibitions and activities are designed with full consideration of risk control measures and assessments are completed for all new works and activities.
The Science Museum Group maintains insurance cover in respect of public and product liability.
Download a copy of our public liability insurance certificate.
View a visual story to familiarise yourself with the museum before your visit.
Here is a timeline outlining the typical structure of a school visit:
- Arrive at the museum
- Enter via automatic doors
- Meet a member of staff from the museum
- This person will give a safety briefing about the tracks, buffers and fire exits. Also, where you can find the toilets
- Next you will be shown where your picnic table is, here you can leave your coat and packed lunch
- Then a person from the museum will take your class on a walking tour around the museum, or your adults might decide to do some activities with you
- Next you might visit the toilets and then you will have lunch at the picnic tables
- Then your adults might decide to do some activities with you, or a person from the museum will take your class on a walking tour around the museum
- Next you will collect your coat and packed lunch bag from the picnic table, you may visit the toilet
- Finally, you will get back on the coach or train to go back to school
Please read our safeguarding information before you visit.
