Museum of Science and Industry

Essential information for teachers and group leaders about MOSI's facilities and procedures.

 

Punctuality

Please aim to arrive at the Museum at least 15 minutes before any sessions or your activities.

Time(s) of any booked activities are shown on the booking confirmation letter we will send you at least two weeks before your visit. Please adhere to these times throughout your visit as we cannot guarantee provision of activities in full for late arrivals.

Coach Drop Off

Most coach drivers will drop groups off in Lower Byron Street outside the Main Entrance to the Museum or around the corner in parking bays on Liverpool Road. Please ask your coach driver to switch off the engine while waiting to pick up and drop off.

Parking

Limited car parking is available on site for £5.00 per vehicle after 9.00am (£3.00 after 3.00pm).

Minibuses (up to 16 seats) may use the car park but there is no coach parking on site.

On Arrival

Please check your class or group in at the Information Desk in The Great Western Warehouse (Building 1). Staff will be there to advise you and deal with any payments.

Payments

Payment can be made with cash, cheque, credit card or schools can be invoiced.

The Learning Loft

The Learning Loft is our new dedicated and secure space for school groups.

It consists of:

• three classrooms
• a science lab
• storage for bags and coats
• lunch areas
• toilets

The Learning Loft is on the 2nd floor of the Great Western Warehouse.

Learning Loft Swipe Cards

If your group is using the Learning Loft for any part of your visit you will be issued with a swipe card to gain access. The swipe card must be returned at the end of the day or you may be charged a fee to cover the cost of a new card.

Wheelchair Access

The Museum site is fully accessible to wheelchair users with the exception of parts of the Electricity Gallery. A network of smooth paths links the five buildings to make access across the cobbled site easier.

Lunch Areas

There are lunch areas for booked groups in the Learning Loft, 2nd Floor, Great Western Warehouse and the Air & Space Hall.

Please check your booking confirmation to make sure that, if required, you have been allocated a lunch area.

Experiment

Please ensure you have been allocated a time slot for this gallery if required.

Supervision

Adults must accompany children under the age of 16 at all times.

The Museum's policy is that the following adult to child ratios are appropriate:

• 1:4 for children aged under 7 years
• 1:7 for children aged 8 years and older

The Museum reserves the right to refuse entry to groups where the level of adult to child/young person supervision is less than 1:15.

Unsuitable behaviour

The vast majority of children and young people visiting the Museum as part of an organised group behave impeccably. However, a small minority of groups can spoil the enjoyment of other visitors (and sometimes cause more serious problems) by behaving poorly. Museum staff will intervene when poor behaviour:

• places the safety of visitors and staff at risk
• involves threatening or abusive language, or disruptive behaviour, in the vicinity of visitors or staff
• could cause damage to the Museum's exhibits, galleries or buildings.

If behaviour is unsuitable you and you group may be asked to leave the Museum's site.

Health and Safety - Risk Assessment

The Museum is a low risk environment and injuries to visitors are very rare. The Museum has a duty of care to all its visitors. Museum staff have carried out risk assessments to ensure that there are no significant hazards to visitors and staff.

You may need to carry out a risk assessment specific to your class or group in line with your organisation's guidelines. MOSI cannot do this for you but you can find more advice on this page about risk assessment.

Fire Safety

In the event of fire alarm activation, lead your group out of the building by the nearest safest exit. Do not use lifts. Museum staff will direct you to use the appropriate exit and assembly points.  Wheelchair users will be directed to the nearest safe area by Museum staff.

First Aid

Museum staff will arrange for a trained first aider to attend to any sick or injured members of your group. The supervisor of the group must be present where first aid is administered.

Accidents and Hazards

Please report any problems to Museum staff who will arrange for the appropriate action to be taken.

Staff

All staff wear Museum badges and are available to answer questions.

Museum Opening Times

The Museum is open from 10am to 5pm. The Museum is open every day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Shop

The Museum shop sells a range of souvenirs and gifts but can get very busy with school visitors between 11.00am and 3.00pm during peak times