Education

The educational role of the museum is to tell the story of 4000 years of written communication and Bath’s role in it to as wide an audience as possible.  We pay special attention to making the learning experience exciting and hands-on.

The Education Section offers a range of learning opportunities for all visitors to choose from, whether you wish to spend ten minutes doing a discovery trail or much longer on an object handling session or even a term length course.

Our Community Education and Schools' Education Teams are developing new programmes as more of the collections are being shown in the galleries or online.

School groups, community groups, or individual visitors can design their own learning experiences using the Museum's learning packs and trails for each of the galleries. Additional information about the collections can be found in the Exhibitions section of this site or by visiting the library in the Museum.

Educational Programmes & Groups

Browse one of our education resources below or choose from the menu on the left.

Adult Learners and Researchers

Bath Postal Museum is here for everyone whatever your age or level of interest.  We welcome researchers by appointment.  Bath Postal Museum is keen to encourage higher education learners and researchers to use the museum’s archive and research collection.  We do charge a fee of £25 per half day for this service, which goes to maintaining and increasing the collections.  Booking in advance is essential.  We can also provide talks and guided tours to special interest groups.  Please ring for details.

Families and Community Groups

Bath Postal Museum has something for all age groups.  During your visit you can follow trails around the Museum, create your own pictures, handle objects listen to the talking heads and dress up as people from the past..  We may be able to open the museum at particular times for large groups.  We are keen to participate in community activities and events.

Loan Box Collection Scheme

Bring history alive for your pupils with Postal Museum loan boxes. We cover many curriculum areas with artefacts to display, handle and inspire writing activities, from Ancient Egypt to today.

For Schools

Bath Postal Museum is an ideal resource for all schools, providing a wealth of opportunities for cross curricular approaches and studies for all age groups, with particular focus on Literacy, Art and Design and History.  Teachers can choose from a range of curriculum linked, museum staff-led workshops illustrated with handling objects or choose to lead their own class visit to the museum using ideas from the gallery learning packs and trails. The displays have a particular emphasis on Writing and Literacy, Victorians and eminent local characters Ralph Allen and John Palmer. Information on the exhibitions and collections is also available from the Events and Exhibitions section of the site. We are also suitable for foundation stage visits, offering play based and hands-on learning. 

The galleries are fully accessible please call or email for details and certain activities are particularly suitable for children with special needs. .  We are able to tailor our schools visits to your specific curriculum and learning needs.

Find out more details of specific programmes and exhibitions. If you cannot find what you are looking for please contact the Education department on 01225 460333.  The Education Team is led by a fully qualified teacher and all visits can be tailored to your group’s specific curriculum and learning needs.

Recently we have developed a loan box scheme for schools and community groups in the B&NES area. View the boxes we offer also seeks to work in partnership with schools, community and other agencies to develop relevant project based work.

Workshops

We run 20 minute workshops on a variety of subjects:

  • Writing in the past - pupils explore a range of writing materials and techniques from Egyptians to Modern Day
  • Stamps around the World – pupils take a different approach to Geography by investigating and collecting world stamps
  • Play post office set up – foundation stage pupils can learn and play in a post office set up.
  • Handling History -  a historic object handling session with real objects.

These workshops are free but must be booked in advance. 

If you have an idea or theme for a workshop that we don’t run, please contact the education officer to discuss. 01225 460333

School Visits Information FAQ’s

  • We can cater for up to 20 students at a time.  If your group is larger than this, we can organise split visits with other nearby venues.
  • Rate is £1.50 per student
  • Teachers and helpers go free
  • There is no parking outside but there are plenty of drop-off points near by, please phone for details.
  • We can provide a risk assessment on booking
  • Booking can be done via email or phone or letter. On confirmation we require a £20 deposit which will be returned on arrival.
  • Payment can be made in advance via credit card, cash or cheque or we can invoice your school.
  • Please bring photocopies of any sheets you would like to use in the museum.
  • All worksheets are downloadable.
  • Teachers can visit for free in advance. 
  • Please contact the museum for a complimentary pass.