“We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Air Museum. The workshops and exhibits you have were ideal for our needs”. Brompton & Sawdon Primary School, years 5 & 6, Sept 2016.
“Thank you for helping to organise our school visit [..]The children and staff learnt so much during our day and gained much from our experience at the museum.” St Peter’s school, November 2016.
“The best preserved wartime control tower in Britain… Home to the only French heavy bomber base…… Site of the last Luftwaffe crash on British soil” Adjacent to a runway long enough for the space shuttle to land on.” (York Press, Matt Clarke 01/09/16)
The Yorkshire Air Museum is an amazing place for an educational visit. Over the years, it has become one of the most interesting and dynamic museums of its type in the country. As well as being home to the only Allied Air Forces Memorial in Europe, the Yorkshire Air Museum is the largest independent aviation museum in the UK, with an acclaimed aircraft collection showcasing flight from its very early origins here in Yorkshire through to the latest technology of the supersonic age. We are also based on our original wartime RAF station where children can experience wartime life through exhibitions such as the Officers Mess, our original Control Tower or the Airmen’s billet.
A school visit to the Museum is a unique experience which children will remember for years to come. Each year, we accompany hundreds of primary school children and their teachers on their learning journey.
The Museum has grown in importance in the Education field over the past few years, we have published the KS2 educational resource book ‘Reach for the Sky’ in joint partnership with the Royal Aeronautical Society, its validation as a Children’s University learning destination and we run the yearly Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics Showcase and Challenge event – ‘Inspirations’- where GCSE project work which is judged by a panel of experts and winning projects receive spot prizes and Industry Challenge Awards.
Curriculum Subjects
The exhibitions and displays at the Yorkshire Air Museum cover a wealth of curriculum subjects. Whether it be history, science, transport technology, mathematics or art & design at KS2 level, historic and practical applications can be found at the museum.
We cover a variety of curriculum subjects:
We have developed a combination of self-led trails, workshops and a publication, all of which are relevant to different parts of the 2016/2017 KS2 curriculum.
The development of aviation technology and the science of flight. Our acclaimed aircraft and vehicle collection covers the amazing history of manned flight from the Cayley Glider, the world’s first ‘aircraft’ and Wright Flyer all the way to a Tornado jet fighter/bomber.
Pioneers of aviation (Heroes of history). The concept of ‘aerial navigation’ and the aeroplane itself were invented in Yorkshire by Scarborough born Sir George Cayley. He is world renowned as the ‘Father of Aeronautics’. The Museum explores the ground-breaking work and role in social history of Yorkshire’s Pioneers of Aviation, including Amy Johnson, Robert Blackburn, Barnes Wallis (inventor of the bouncing bomb) and Nevil ‘Shute’ Norway.
First World War history (Battle of the Somme / Air Raids / WWI aviation). Since 2014, the Museum has been commemorating the centenary of the First World War. Exhibits such as ‘Gasbags to super Zeppelins’, the ‘Commemoration of the Battle of the Somme’ and a First World War aircraft collection (AVRO 504K, Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a and the Eastchurch PV8 Kitten) explore the role and development of air services during this period.
WWII history. The Museum is a former wartime RAF bomber base. The squadrons that operated from Elvington took part in the Battle of the Ruhr and in many other battles aimed at the destruction of German industry. The Museum is a living memorial and tribute to all Allied Air Forces personnel who operated from Yorkshire and surrounding regions during WWII. (At the Museum, you can visit a Heritage listed control tower with an original wartime Meteorological Office, an Officers’ Mess, and Airmen’s billet room, learn about the perilous job of an air gunner during the war . You will also see the very impressive Handley Page Halifax bomber aircraft – the only complete aircraft of it’s kind in Europe)
Cold war history aviation. Our growing collection of Cold War aircraft is amongst the finest in the UK. Aircraft such as the Victor, Nimrod and others are complete examples of both early generation jet technology and also a reminder of the Cold War period of social history.
We have developed a combination of self-led trails, workshops and a publication, all of which are relevant to different parts of the 2016/2017 KS2 curriculum.
What We Can Do For Your Group
When booking your visit, we will discuss your requirements to ensure you get the most from your visit.
- Additional support is available on the day of your visit at your request.
- A welcome introduction by one of our guides.
- A workshop (A handling collection workshop: choose from: WWI; WWII; the development of aviation) morse code workshop*
- Self-led trails (History of aviation, Pioneers of Aviation, Yorkshire Air Museum trail, KS1 &KS2 maths)
When booking your visit, we will discuss your requirements to ensure you get the most from your visit
* Please check workshop availability prior to your visit.
Planning Your Visit – Please allow 3 to 4 hours for your visit. Our Museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm during Summer and 10am to 4pm during Winter.
How to Book – Please download our School Group booking form here.
Alternatively, call our Learning Development Manager on (01904) 608595 or contact us using this form to discuss your requirements.
Supervision – The Yorkshire Air Museum is a large site covering 22 acres with 11 display exhibits and two aircraft hangars. To ensure safety and an optimum overall quality educational experience, we ask that school groups maintain the following supervising ratios:
Key Stage 1 and 2 – one adult per six pupils
Key Stage 3 and 4 – one adult per ten pupils
Accessibility
Most of our site is wheelchair accessible except for the top floor of the Control Tower. Disabled toilets are available inside the NAAFI lobby. Please indicate on your booking form if you have any students with special needs.
Our site has ample parking for buses and coaches.
Organising teachers are welcome to a free ‘exploratory’ visit to the Museum prior to bringing their group. Please contact our office to organise.
Please download our Accessibility Statement here
Food & beverage
Our NAAFI sells hot food as well as sandwiches, cakes, cold and hot beverages. Children are also welcome to bring their own pack up lunches. Our Museum shop sells ice cream every day. Please let us know if you would like an indoor area reserved to have your lunch.
Our site also boasts a ‘Nature of Flight Wildlife Walk’ and woodland which children can explore under supervision and where they can witness local wildlife. It is an ideal opportunity to let off some steam after lots of learning!
Site safety and Risk Assessment Guidelines
The Yorkshire Air Museum is a unique site and students will be instructed to stay behind the protective barriers and not touch the display aircraft. Some specific aircraft and cockpits are specifically open so that visitors and students will get a chance to explore them in our two hangars.
It is the responsibility of group leaders to undertake their own risk assessment specifically for their group in line with school and LEA policies and DfE guidelines. Our Safety and Risk management documentation is available on request for guidance only.
