Digital Schools Sessions FAQs

Sessions are free of charge and are available to UK-based schools only.

Yes, each session will contain the same information. 

Each session is suitable for different age ranges/Levels. Please check the individual session pages for more information.

Our team strive to make each session as accessible as possible. Please check individual sessions for specifics or get in touch if you have a question about accessibility schools@nms.ac.uk.

Sessions last around 20-25 minutes. The broadcast will be open for five minutes ahead of the start time to allow you to log on and test your connection before the session begins.

Yes, we're happy to welcome home educators based in the UK onto our sessions. Follow the usual booking process. Get in touch with us if you have any questions schools@nms.ac.uk.

If we need to cancel your session for any reason we will aim to notify you as soon as possible using the email address you used to book the session. 

No, at present our sessions are only open to UK-based schools. Our sessions are designed to support delivery of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. Schools will be asked to provide their address and local authority area upon booking. We will cancel any bookings for schools based outside of the UK. If you have any questions about this, get in touch schools@nms.ac.uk.

Our sessions are interactive and designed to be watched live. Sessions are not recorded.

Book in advance using the booking link on each individual session page (please note you will need to create an NMS account if you do not already have one).  

You will receive a confirmation e-mail immediately after booking and an e-mail with further information, including the link you’ll use to access the broadcast one week prior to the session.  You will also receive an e-mail reminder the day before the session.

A maximum of 33 pupils plus teachers can participate on one booked class ticket.  During the booking process we will ask you to report how many pupils and teachers will be taking part on the day.  For statistical recording purposes, please contact us at schools@nms.ac.uk if numbers change.

Our ticketing system allows you to book for up to 4 classes.  For ease of communication however we encourage each class teacher to register their class separately.

No, you can book as many as you like. 

If you’re a teacher and would like to take part for your own professional development, please contact us at schools@nms.ac.uk.

Pupils can take part from their homes as long as they are accompanied by an adult. The adult who will be accompanying the child at home needs to book the ticket and will receive the link to the event.

If you have booked for your class and have now become aware of a child who will be taking part remotely, please get in touch with us to arrange their access and update your numbers (if necessary) schools@nms.ac.uk.

Your confirmation email should arrive immediately after you book. An information pack including the link to the live broadcast will be forwarded to you 7 days prior to the event.  You will also receive a reminder the day before the live broadcast. If you have not received any of these please check your junk mail or spam folder. If you still can’t locate them, please get in touch with us at schools@nms.ac.uk.

Our digital school sessions are designed to be watched live and will not be recorded. If you can no longer attend, please contact schools@nms.ac.uk so we can release your ticket.

When booking a ticket for your class you will need the following information to hand:

• E-mail address you’d like the confirmation e-mail, information pack and reminder e-mail sent to
• School name, address and local authority area
• Age of class (e.g., P3)
• Number of pupils/teachers who will be watching the session

Bookings are administered via our online ticketing system.  To book a session you will be asked to register your personal data and create an account if you do not already have one.  The personal data you provide to us is collected so that we can administer the session efficiently. We will use your personal data to register your booking and to send you information and a joining link prior to the event. We will also send you a post-session evaluation survey. For more detailed information on how we manage your personal data please see our full Privacy Notice.

The sessions use Microsoft Teams. You do not need a Teams account to take part. You will be sent a link to the online broadcast prior to your session. On the day, you need to click on this link and the session will open either in a browser window, or within the Teams app if you have it installed on your computer.

If you would like to type in answers to questions during the session, you will need a keyboard.

You can join at any point during the session. As it’s live and there will be others taking part, the session will start at the time stated in your confirmation email.

You can re-enter the broadcast via the session joining link.

The sessions are interactive and designed to be watched live.  They will not be recorded.

The sessions are hosted and managed by National Museums Scotland staff.

Our broadcasts are open to other schools.  However, you will not be able to see any of the other schools taking part, you will only be able to see the presenter.

We will ask at the start of the session for people to share their school name in the Q&A function so you can find out which other schools are taking part. 

The Q&A function will be used throughout the session and monitored by a member of National Museums Scotland staff before it is shared with other schools on the broadcast.

No, we cannot see or hear your class and nor can others taking part in the session. The only information we know about you is the email address which you used to register and the username you choose. For this reason we suggest using your class name (e.g. P5C Example Primary School).

Any other information you share via the question/chat will be moderated by a member of our team before being made public to the rest of the broadcast.