Opening Times

Open daily 10am – 6pm (including Bank Holidays). Last admission is 5pm

What makes this a great venue for School group Fun or Educational Visits?

Bring your children on a visit of exploration, discovery and adventure at the Royal Air Force Museum.

Our award-winning Access and Learning Department offers a wide range of innovative, fun and enjoyable activities for groups of all ages and abilities. The Access and Learning Team uses the Museum’s unique and fascinating collection to provide a programme of educational and learning activities, which are closely related to the National Curriculum and higher educational courses.

Over 25,000 students from schools and colleges visit the Museum each year and with over 70 aircraft on display in four hangars there is something to keep everyone inspired. While in the Museum, students can marvel at some of the world’s oldest aeroplanes, stand in awe under our Vulcan bomber, focus on key aspects of the Cold War in our innovative audio-visual hotspots and discover whether they have what it takes to be a pilot in our ‘Fun ‘n’ Flight’ interactive area.

What are the activities?

Activities and resources are available to support subject specific or cross-curricular school visits and can be found on our website www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford by clicking on the ‘Learn’ link/tab and then ‘Our Activities’.

All our workshops and demonstrations can be adapted to suit the needs of students with specific learning difficulties and for sensory impairments. It is recommended that teachers contact the team to discuss specific requirements.

Workshops/activities must be pre booked and are only available on weekdays during term time. Charges do apply.

What is the age range of the activities?

3+

Sample programme of the activities:

We provide a range of workshops based on WWII and the Cold War including WWII Evacuee Experience, Meet the Veteran, Propaganda and Lost in Space. We also offer rocket, rocket cars and KS1 Science workshops. For Key Stage 4 and 5 students we provide Leisure and Tourism and the new Engineering Diploma.

Alongside these activities we also hold seasonal events including ‘Wartime Christmas’ and ‘Carrots to Cookies’.

A full outline of some of the workshops we offer can be found on our website www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford.

What materials to you provide or suggest groups bring to support the visit?

On our website there are resource packs which are free to download. These can be accessed on our website www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford by clicking on the ‘Learn’ link/tab and then ‘Download worksheets and resources’. These packs include useful information for your visit, as well as pre and post visit lesson plans.

What are the minimum and maximum group sizes and the free Teacher Ratio?

It is preferred that all school /college parties divide their students into groups of no more than 15 with a nominated adult as leader.

Group leaders are responsible for the discipline and safety of their groups at all times during the visit and the involvement of our staff in any sessions does not relieve them of these duties.

All students under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times

Do you have or how do you arrange risk assessment?

The RAF Museum recognises their obligation to provide a healthy and safe environment for school parties and all our visitors. Under the Health and Safety Act our site is regularly risk assessed and we are continually striving to improve our services.

The Museum has produced a risk assessment which is sent to groups along with the booking confirmation, timetable and teacher information sheets prior to the visit.

Do you offer Teacher familiarisation days?

We do recommend a preliminary site visit.

What facilities are there for school groups for food and drink, shop etc?

The Museum’s ‘Refuel Restaurant’ is located in the Visitor Centre where hot and cold meals and snacks can be purchased. Students can also buy snacks, sandwiches and drinks from ‘Checkpoint Charlie’s’ café, situated in the National Cold War Exhibition.

We do have an indoor eating area suitable for packed lunches. We will do our best to accommodate groups under cover in wet/cold weather, however, due to the nature of the buildings we can not guarantee this. If the weather is fair and you would prefer to eat outside we also have an outdoor picnic area near the Visitor Centre.

Gift Shop: There will be time allocated for each group to visit the Museum Gift Shop (located in the National Cold War Exhibition). The shop sells a wide range of souvenirs.

Is specific clothing required?

Groups need to come prepared with a waterproof if wet weather is forecast. In the winter months, it is advised that students should wear warm clothing. Appropriate footwear is recommended at all times.

Some of our demonstrations can involve trying on historical clothing; please let us know before your visit if any of your children have allergies.

Do you have first aid on site?

The Museum has a number of trained First Aiders. If a first aider is required, please seek assistance from any member of staff or go to the Visitor Centre.

Are there any restrictions on photos, copyright etc?

You can use cameras, camcorders etc throughout your visit in any part of the Museum.

Additional information.

Entrance to the Museum is free although there is a charge for Educational workshops. There are car parking charges in place, but parking for coaches remains free. If you are travelling by mini bus or car please ask at the Admissions Desk on arrival for a free parking voucher.