Ever wondered if there’s another school group out there looking back at you?
Each year, we welcome thousands of school children from across the Universe to Jodrell Bank.
Our engaging schools programme provides curriculum-linked learning for each Key Stage from Early Years to A-Level.
School groups are welcome to book online. If you are a group with fewer than 15 students, please please contact us at jodrelleducation@manchester.ac.uk
We are currently taking bookings up to the 13th February 2026. If you are interested in visiting us after this date, please sign up to our mailing list: Education Mailing List.
Scroll down to explore our packages…
Home Educators please go to Home Educators – Jodrell Bank.
EARLY YEARS
Explore the Solar System with a bear named Ted in our Space Dome, then learn about the Moon and objects that reflect or make their own light in a story time session with our talented Explainer team.
KEY STAGE 1
Learn about the Sun and Moon in our Space Dome, offering an immersive planetarium-style experience. Continue your journey of discovery in our exhibitions, including an on-gallery talk with live demonstrations from our Explainer team.
KEY STAGE 2
Take a guided tour of the Solar System and discover the constellations in a planetarium-style experience in our Space Dome. Continue your journey of discovery in our exhibitions, where you’ll discover how the Lovell Telescope views the Universe and have an on-gallery talk with demonstrations presented by our Explainers.
KEY STAGE 3
Kick off your trip with an immersive tour through the building blocks of the Universe in our ‘We Are Stars’ Space Dome show, before exploring the interactive spaces across our UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, return to Earth for a Telescope Talk to learn why the Lovell Telescope is here and what is does.
KEY STAGE 4
Kick off your trip with an immersive tour through the building blocks of the Universe in our ‘We Are Stars’ Space Dome show, before exploring the interactive spaces across our UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, return to Earth for a Telescope Talk to learn why the Lovell Telescope is here and what is does.
A LEVEL
Use real radio telescope data to calculate the mass of a galaxy in a ‘Radio Telescopes’ workshop, delivered by our Explainer team. Explore our exhibitions, learning about the building of the Lovell Telescope in the post-war years and the live science happening at the Observatory today. Optional Space Dome show add-ons available.
Information for Teachers
School Visit FAQs
School visits take place from Tuesday to Friday, during term time. We have different days assigned to each Key Stage, from Early Years to A-Levels. Please check available dates for your Key Stage group on our website.
School visits start at 10am and finish at 2pm.
Jodrell Bank opens at 10am, please note, we cannot allow your group in before this time. Please wait on the coach or start gathering your group at the entrance until opening time.
Please dispose of enough travelling time to secure your arrival at 10am. If your journey is delayed, you should contact us at 01477-571-766, and provide an estimated time of arrival. We will make every effort to accommodate any late arrivals, however this cannot be guaranteed.
Please note, we do not offer refunds for any missed activities in whole or in part if you are late.
We do not offer a cloak room service. We will provide each group a trolley to store packed lunches. However, our trolleys are not big enough to hold a full set of backpacks.
School visits are self-guided. There will be activities during your visit that will be guided by our talented Engagement team, but the time exploring our exhibitions and grounds is self-led.
You will receive an itinerary 1-week prior to your visit. You are also welcome to download and print our exhibitions worksheets, which are a resource that help learners gain more from the exhibitions. Don’t forget to bring pencils or pens!
Annual tickets cannot be used for school visits, and are only valid for general admission and cannot be used for school visits.
School bookings are for a day admission only, and do not include an annual ticket.
We recommend the following adult to student ratios:
Ages 3 to 7 – 1 adult for every 6 students.
Ages 7 to 11 – 1 Adult for every 7 students.
Ages 11 to 16 – 1 Adult for every 10 students.
Ages 16 to 18 – 1 Adult for every 15 students.
Please ensure any accompanying adults have the necessary experience and authority to supervise a group of children on a trip.