More about this Workshop/Service and the Provider
Learning
The Yorkshire Air Museum welcomes a diverse variety of schools, scouts, STEM and overseas schools each year. Our educational programme has been nominated for awards and our guides help to educate and inspire visitors of all ages.
Schools and Educational Visits
Join us for a day of fun, discovery and excitement at the Yorkshire Air Museum and let our Museum Guides enthral your pupils by bringing to life over 170 years of aviation history within authentic wartime surroundings!
Every year, our educational team accompanies hundreds of school children and their teachers on their learning journey. With our authentic wartime surroundings, original exhibits and a collection of 60 aircraft and vehicles on display, the children who visit the Museum on a school visit never forget this immersive experience.
As well as being home to a Memorial honouring the Allied Air Forces, the Yorkshire Air Museum is the largest independent aviation museum in the UK. Our acclaimed aircraft collection showcases flight from its very early origins in Yorkshire through to the latest technology of the supersonic age. The Museum is based on the original wartime RAF Elvington station which as kept some authentically preserved wartime buildings.
The Yorkshire Air Museum Learning Programme 2021/22
Our aim is to provide pupils at all Key Stages appropriate information and access to knowledge to meet their needs.
Our programmes comprise three main parts covering a timeline from 1300 through to 1949. We plan each school visit individually with you and tailor our activities to your curriculum focus to ensure that your pupils gain the most out of their visit.
The Development of Flight
- 1300 The Chinese and Kites
- Hot Air Balloons. The Montgolfier brothers’ flight over Paris
- The Development of the principles of flight
- Gliders to Biplanes
- Design and materials used in early aircraft
- The part played by aircraft in World War 1 up to 1918
The History of Aviation
- The Beginning
- The Pioneers who took aviation forward
- The Inter war years
- Through to the Jet Age
World War 2
- Life as a child during the war years. “Harry’s Box of Memories”
- Iconic Aircraft- The Spitfire, Hurricane the Halifax and many more
- The Men and women who flew them
- Weaponry Development
- The part played by allied troops
- The Paratroopers Experience with the help of the Dakota
All topics are delivered by Guided activities comprising of group participation, demonstrations, and static displays. There are many photographs and artefacts for hands on experience.
These activities are suitable for and are tailored individually to the following age groups:
Reception/ Year 1
Year 2 / Year 3
Year 4 / Year 5
Year 6
Please note that we also welcome other age groups. If you wish to organise a visit for older class groups, please contact us at office@yorkshireairmuseum.org and we will tailor your visit accordingly.
What group sizes do we cater for?
The Yorkshire Air Museum is based on a 20 acre sites with 15 indoor exhibits. There is plenty to see indoors and outdoors on our site.
We prefer to welcome groups with a maximum up to 40-50 children to ensure optimised benefits for each child. If your group is larger and you still wish to have guided activities, talk to us about the best way to organise a successful and exciting visit.
What do we provide teachers?
On confirmation of a school trip, we will contact you and send you some resources and guidance to optimise your visit.
The Museum has a generic school visit risk assessment which you can use and adapt for your particular visit.
Each school visit operates under the guidelines of our Child and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding policy. This policy is available electronically upon request.
School group booking rates are:
- £7 per child.
- 1 free adult per 10 children. Additional adults are charged at £7.00 each.
- Free coach parking
The booking fee includes access to an indoor room for the day where the children can eat their lunch.
Other information you may find useful:
- We have no restrictions as far are taking photos, videos or audios as long as teachers have full approval from parents for children to do so.
- No specific clothing is required although as some of the exhibits are outdoors we recommend weatherproof clothing.
- The Museum has first aid facilities and qualified personnel on site.
- The Museum has a Museum Shop where children can purchase small souvenirs for as little as 50p.
- The Museum is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm during British Summertime and from 10 am to 4 pm during British Wintertime.
Testimonials
‘Thank you so much for yesterday. The activities were well organised and run and the children had a very enjoyable day finding out so many interesting facts about the wonderful aircraft, pilots and engineers. I was impressed to see the care you had taken to link the events to our topic area. This makes the day so much more valuable for both children and staff alike.’
Barlby Bridge Community Primary
‘We visited here as part of a two day residential to York from Cumbria as a culmination of our World War Two topic. It was the highlight of the trip for the children and staff alike. The staff could not have been more welcoming or friendly and all facilities for the group were excellent. [..] David had the children spellbound by his tales of life during the war. I was especially impressed by how he tailored his talk to what the group was interested in. [..] We could have stayed all day chatting with David but it was lucky we didn’t as we would have missed the most well thought out and structured activity I have come across on a school trip. The children learned to be paratroopers. It was very atmospheric being in the actual plane and using the same routine and drills. All staff (The three musketeers) were fantastic. They had so much patience with the children and a usually challenging class really responded to their passion and knowledge of the era. I thoroughly recommend this museum.’
Westfield Nursery Primary School
“I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you and all of the volunteers for a wonderful morning last Saturday. The children (and staff) thoroughly enjoyed the visit and it was just a shame that we could not stay any longer. Many children said it was their favourite part of their whole Yorkshire experience”
Cranleigh Prep School
Availability & How to Book
We are ready to organise your special event for you and answer any queries you may have.
Please complete the enquiry form below and someone will get back to you.