Schools

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 0161 306 9690 or at jodrelleducation@manchester.ac.uk 

We are currently taking bookings for this academic year, up to 19th July 2024. If you are interested in visiting us after this date, please sign up to our mailing list in the footer below to be the first to know when we open further bookings.

Please view our school bookings terms and conditions.

Scroll down to explore our packages…

 

EARLY YEARS

Ages 3-5 (Nursery and Reception)
Learn about the Moon, the Earth, the Sun, and objects that reflect or make their own light, in our Space Dome, and on a guided storytelling experience with our talented Explainer team. Continue your journey of discovery in our exhibitions and quiz our Explainers on ‘all things space’!

KEY STAGE 1

Ages 5-7 (Years 1-2)
Learn about the Sun and the Moon in our Space Dome on a guided experience with our talented Explainer team. Continue your journey of discovery in our exhibitions and quiz our Explainers on ‘all things space’! KS1 visits take place on the first and third Fridays of each month.

KEY STAGE 2

Ages 7-11 (Years 3-6)
Take a guided tour of the Solar System and discover constellations in our Space Dome with our talented Explainer team. Continue your journey of discovery in our exhibitions, learning how the Lovell Telescope views the Universe and about the live science taking place at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

KEY STAGE 3

Ages 11-14 (Years 7-9)
Kick off your trip with an immersive tour through the building blocks of the universe in We Are Stars, before exploring interactive spaces across the whole site.
Then, return to Earth at the Time Is Running Out exhibition, exploring how civil engineering can be a vital tool in fighting climate change.

KEY STAGE 4

Ages 14-16 (Years 10-11)
Kick off your trip with an immersive tour through the building blocks of the universe in We Are Stars, before exploring interactive spaces across the whole site.
Then, return to Earth at the Time Is Running Out exhibition, exploring how civil engineering can be a vital tool in fighting climate change.

A LEVEL

Ages 16-18 (Years 12-13)
Use real radio telescope data to calculate the mass of a galaxy in our “Radio Telescopes” workshop session, delivered by our Explainer team. Explore our exhibitions, finding out about the building of the Lovell Telescope in the post-war years and the live science happening at the Observatory today. Option to add to the experience by booking on a planetarium show.

Information for Teachers

School Groups

School Bookings F.A.Q’s

When can we book a school visit?

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.

At what time do school visits start and finish?

School visits start at 10am and finish at 2pm.

What happens if we are running late or early?

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.

Will there be somewhere to store our coats and backpacks?

No – 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.

Does a school visit include a guided tour?

No – 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!

Some of the children already have an annual ticket, can they use it?

No – Annual tickets are only valid for general admission and cannot be used for school visits.

Does a school booking include an annual ticket?

No – School bookings are for a day admission only, and do not include an annual ticket.

How many adults do we need to bring?

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.