Safety guidelines and risk assessment

Please read this information before your visit and share with group leaders and adult helpers.

Supervision

Children under the age of 16 must be supervised at all times during their visit and remain the responsibility of the teacher/group leader. 

We suggest a ratio of: 

• 1 adult: 5 pupils (Nursery)
• 1 adult: 10 pupils (Primary)
• 1 adult: 15 pupils (Secondary).

Where pupils require support on a 1:1 ratio, this adult should be included over and above these ratios.

Group size

The Museum is a busy environment with lots of other visitors. It is important that pupils stay in groups. 

Split into smaller groups in accordance with the ratios above to move around the Museum. 

Each group must be supervised by an adult.

Before your visit

Before a visit, we recommend that teachers: 

• Use our online resources
• Visit the Museum to plan their class visit
• Agree approriate rules of behaviour with their pupils
• Prepare their risk assessment.

Contact us at schools@nms.ac.uk to discuss.

During your visit

First aid

The Museum has several First-aiders. If anyone needs assistance, please notify the nearest member of the Visitor Experience team.

Fire alarm

The Museum has clear evacuation procedures. 

In the event of a fire alarm (a loud klaxon noise) a member of Museum staff will direct you outside. You are responsible for keeping your group together.

Getting lost

It is helpful to agree a meeting point for your group in case your group is split up. 

Museum staff will assist with lost children.

Potential hazards

Museum entrance

If it is raining there is a slight risk of slipping and falling in the Entrance Hall. 

Throughout the museum

When in the Museum, look out for: 

• Large plate glass cases
• Doors or walls which you might not see very well
• Slippery floors
• Changes in flooring type and level
• Sharp edges (walls, cases, stairways)
• Lifts
• Escalators
• Objects, plinths and stands at low level that could be tripped over.

Special features to remind the class about

It is important to remind your pupils: 

• The Museum is a busy environment, so they should stay in their assigned group
• To not stroke taxidermy or touch objects on open display
• Fire extinguishers should not be touched
• Some areas of the Museum are very dimly lit
• To stay away from and not climb up edges of balconies. Some balconies have a large drop that is not obvious.
• Running in large open spaces is discouraged
• There is exposed machinery which could trap fingers or hurt if bumped into
• To not hide in nooks and crannies
• Small staircases and narrow areas can lead to overcrowding and bumping into each
  other
• They should not drop or throw things from windows looking on to other levels.