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: 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

Larger classes should be split into smaller groups to explore the National War Museum. 

Certain areas and activities will be inappropriate for a full class size so please check before your visit.

Before you visit

Before a visit, we recommend that teachers: 

• Make a pre-visit to the Museum to plan their class visit
• Agree approriate rules of behaviour with their pupils
• Prepare their risk assessment. 

Free entry can be arranged for teachers who have booked a school visit. Contact us on schoolsnwm@nms.ac.uk to discuss. 

During your visit

Identifying Museum staff

Different staff will be on hand to help you during your visit. Please ask them if you have any questions.

Enablers

Enablers lead workshops and are dressed in black.

Visitor Experience team

The Visitor Experience team look after the galleries and help to enhance the visitor experience. They wear purple shirts and navy blazers.

Other Castle staff

Other Castle staff are dressed in black fleeces or red raincoats with Edinburgh Castle lion badge.

First aid

The Museum has several designated First-aiders. If anyone is injured, please notify the nearest member of the Visitor Experience staff who will be able to help.

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 meeting points for your group in case your group is split up. We suggest the statue of General Haig in Hospital Square. 

Museum staff will assist with lost children.

Potential hazards

Museum entrance

There are cobbled walkways down to the Museum. When it is raining there is a slight risk of slipping and falling, especially if feet are wet.

Throughout the Museum

When in the Museum, be aware of: 

• 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)
• Objects, plinths and stands at low level that could be tripped over
• Low lighting, dark corners and cases. 

Special features to remind the class about

It is important to remind your pupils: 

• To dress for the weather and make sure they have appropriate clothing and protection for being outdoors
• Fire extinguishers should not be touched
• Running in large open spaces is discouraged
• The Museum is a busy environment, so they should stay in their assigned group and wear uniforms or badges to assist museum staff with lost children
• To not touch or lean against objects in the Museum, even if they are within reaching distance.