Booking a School Trip
School trips to the Museum of Classical Archaeology offer a unique glimpse into the ancient Greeks and Romans for those studying this topic as part of the Key Stage 2 History curriculum. Our Education and Outreach Coordinator, Justyna, can offer educational sessions to help you make the most of your school group trips. These sessions are specially designed to build on classwork and help to bring the ancient world to life for your students.
Although the Museum is popular with Cambridge schools, we're always pleased to offer sessions to schools from further afield. And school trips to our Museum are not only fun and educational, they're affordable too: our education service is entirely free of charge.
If you would like to make a donation to the Museum, we promise to spend your money on supporting and expanding our education programme and collections care. Any donation, however, is at your own discretion.
We recommend a group size of 35 students at KS2. There must be a teacher or leader with a DBS certificate present during the session. Adequate supervision is important because it ensures the safety of both the students and the casts, and we ask that you split into groups based on the number of leaders you bring.
We recommend the following ratios:
1 adult : 7 primary school students
1 adult : 10 secondary school students
We want your school group to have fun on your visit to us, but unfortunately we also have to make sure our collection is looked after. Groups who have to be repeatedly warned about behaviour may be asked to leave.
Schools Sessions
What is a school session at the musuem like?
Ancient Greeks
School trips to our Cambridge Museum often include a session on the ancient Greeks. It's a great way to inspire your students and enhance their studies.
Our Museum-led session begins by taking a look at the sculptures from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. Students love to hear the story of Pelops and Oinomaos or the battle with the centaurs, as well as learning more about Greek religion, myth and the ancient Olympic Games.
The second half of the session explores the Museum using our Key Stage 2 Greeks Work Pack, which allows students to discover themes among the sculptures, such as athletes, fights, and gods and goddesses. This work is best done in groups.
This session can run for any time between 45 minutes and 90 minutes. Museum-led sessions are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only.
KS2 Ancient Greeks Workpack
Download the New KS2 Ancient Greeks Museum Pack (pdf).
Download the KS2 Ancient Greeks Teacher's Answer Sheets (pdf).
(These files will open in Google Drive, from where you can download them).
- Further resources about the Greeks can be found on the Greeks Home Learning Resources page.
Romans
Our session on the Romans is also popular for school trips and will help support your classwork on the topic as part of the Key Stage 2 History curriculum.
This session involves exploring the Museum using our Romans Trail: we meet Hercules, the ultimate Roman hero and encounter some of the more colourful characters of the Roman Empire by looking at our Roman portrait busts.
This session involves some of the smaller artefacts held by the museum. A unique opportunity for your students to see 2,000-year-old artefacts, including pieces of marble, pottery fragments and oil lamps. Students enjoy looking at our replica items, too; we use these items to help them learn about things like Roman money and hygiene.
This session can run for any time between 45 minutes and 90 minutes. Museum-led sessions are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only.
Looking for things to do back in the classroom? Our answers to questions posed by primary school children about the Romans may prove useful.
Ask a Cambridge Expert: The Romans (video)
Further resources about the Romans can be found on our Romans Home Learning Resources page.
How to Book
To make a booking, please use our online booking request form.
Our Education and Outreach Coordinator, Justyna Ladosz, will be in touch to answer any questions or discuss your options in advance of your visit.
Justyna is available to lead visits on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Please note: we ask that school trips are booked at least a week in advance of your visit.
Please read our teacher's pack for more information about our museum and your visit.
Download the Teachers' Pack (pdf)
Virtual Schools Service Available
Our Education Coordinator, Justyna, is available to live-stream into your classroom from the gallery to deliver the session. Justyna is available Wednesday - Friday.
For KS2 You can choose from two topics:
- Greek Myth
- Roman Emperors
Please fill in our online booking form if you would like to book an outreach visit or an online session. We recommend that you book in live sessions between 9-11am for the best experience of the gallery.
What is a Virtual Session Like?
During a virtual school session, Justyna live streams straight from the museum into your classroom. She does this using a tablet, which allows her to move around the museum freely, and show your students a variety of statues.
- Introduction to the Museum - Justyna introduces herself, and explains that the museum is a collection of plaster casts. We also address the nudity at this point.
- Interactive Storytelling - Justyna shows the students the pediments from the temple of Zeus at Olympia, and tells the story of Pelops and Onoameus. Throughout, Justyna keeps the children engaged by asking them respond to the story of the myth creatively, describe the heroes, and shout out the Greek names.
- Question Time: This is an opportunity for the children to ask Justyna questions about the museum and Ancient Greece. Justyna will also usually walk around the museum during this part, showing different statues.
There is no maximum group size, but we do ask that you report the number of pupils accurately. Live streaming is available via a range of platforms. As our Education and Outreach Department is funded by the Arts Council, all of our educational activity is free.
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