Students will be able to explore this magnificent 17th century property, discovering the beautiful Jacobean architecture of a home long ago.

To make the most of your visit we have provided comprehensive information for teachers bringing students on a visit to Aston Hall, it includes pre-visit and on the day information.

About our sessions

Students will be able to explore this magnificent 17th century property discovering the beautiful Jacobean architecture of a home long ago. They will learn about how the rooms were used and the people who lived here. Many taught sessions are themed around National Curriculum topics, such as the Great Fire of London and the Civil War. Pupils will develop key skills and gain valuable knowledge for subjects.

Pre-Visit Information

Address

Aston Hall
Trinity Road
Aston
Birmingham
B6 6JD

How to contact us

All visits require advanced booking - this includes teacher previews and taught sessions.

For enquiries or to make a booking contact the Education Bookings Team on 0121 348 8001 or email EducationBookings@BirminghamMuseums.org.uk

Risk Assessments

This risk assessment does not cover any time spent away from the site. We strongly suggest you visit us beforehand. Download the school risk assessment below.

Teacher Previews

If you are a first-time visitor to Aston Hall it is recommended that a member of your teaching staff attends a pre-visit. Proof of teacher status must be shown at the ticket desk on entry (e.g. General Teaching Council membership, union membership card or signed headed school paper). Please contact the bookings team to arrange this.

Facilitated Sessions

All taught sessions take place within the historic building of Aston Hall, giving pupils a truly immersive experience. Taught sessions are active, hands-on and multi-sensory; appealing to all learning abilities and learning styles.

Self-Guided Visits

Self-guided visits are not available at Aston Hall. School groups see the site as part of each taught session.

Home Educators

We offer a warm welcome to Home Educating groups. All of our taught sessions are available for home education groups. We can adapt the content of the taught sessions to fit with mixed age groups, abilities and needs. A minimum charge may apply.

Disabled Access

Disabled access is available to some areas of Aston Hall. However, as a Grade I listed building we have been unable to install a lift within the main house. Therefore those in wheelchairs will be unable to access the upper floors of the house. See Accessibility information for full details.

Alternative accessible activities can be arranged with prior notice, to inform the team contact Education Bookings Team.

Clothing

All visitors must wear appropriate footwear when visiting Aston Hall. The house has historic floors, with some wooden panels having a slippery surface and an uneven tread. It is advisable that flat footwear be worn. Aston Hall becomes very cold between October and March. Please ensure pupils arrive in appropriate clothing for the lower temperatures. Coats will need to be worn in the house.

Goody Bags

Please note the Goody bags are currently being updated.

Goodie bags are available to pre-order and can either be paid for on the day or via invoice to your school. We have a range of goodie bags to order (subject to availability):

• £0.70 - pencil and Great Stairs postcard in a bag
• £1.20 - pencil, Great Stairs postcard and Hologram pad in a bag
• £2.05 - pencil, Great Stairs postcard, stacking crayons and Hologram pad in a bag

To pre-order your bags please download the goody bag order formand send this to EducationBookings@BirminghamMuseums.org.uk

Sensory Bag

School Trips can be overwhelming. Our sensory bags are a great resource to support the experience of neurodivergent students with sensory needs. The bags contains a range of resources such as fidget toys, a magnifying glass, ear defenders and interactive picture books to help keep pupils engaged and calm during their visit. Please ask your Learning and Engagement Officer at the beginning of your trip if you would like a sensory bag for one of your pupils.

Pupil / Teacher Ratio

• For Foundation and Key Stage 1 groups a minimum of 1 adult to every 6 children is required.
• For Key Stage 2 and over a minimum of 1 adult for every 10 children is required.

A failure to meet these ratios may result in your session being cancelled upon arrival at the hall.

On the Day Information

Arrival

School groups should arrive 15 minutes before the start of their first taught session. This will allow for pupils to disembark from the coach, drop off lunch bags and visit the toilets.

Late arrival may result in your taught sessions being shortened. Sessions may not be carried over due to other groups visiting.

Coach Drop Off and Parking

Coaches are welcome to drop pupils off by the chain link fence at the front of the main house.

If the coach is staying for the duration of the visit, it must not block the chain link fence as this is an emergency access area.

Free coach and mini-bus parking is available at the front of Aston Hall.

Schools Entrance

School groups will be met by the Learning and Engagement Officer by the North Lodge by the chain link fence at the front of the main house. They will then be welcomed and admitted to the site.

Classroom

The classroom is situated within Aston Hall, and has an entrance separate from the main part of the house. There are coat hooks in the classroom. Accessible toilets with hand washing facilities are a short distance away in the Stable block.

Lunch Area

We are a small heritage site and have no designated lunch area, however one class can have lunch in the classroom on site.

Groups may picnic on the grass, weather permitting. Groups should be adequately supervised at lunchtimes.

Cloakroom

There is not a dedicated school cloakroom but teachers and students may leave their belongings in the classroom which is a secure space, but it is recommended to keep high value items on you at all times.

Toilets

General visitor toilets are available in the Stable block, which includes an accessible toilet (a key must be collected from the main reception for access to this). Toilets are also available in the main house, but we do ask that all children use the toilets before the taught session to avoid disruption.

Museum Shop

There is a museum shop available with a range of pocket money priced items. However, it is a small space so please let the Learning and Engagement Officer know as you arrive if you wish for the students to use the shop. 10 people can enter the shop at one time. Alternatively, you can pre-order goodie bags upon booking your visit.

Pupil Behaviour

• It is the responsibility of the class teachers and accompanying adults to control the behaviour of pupils.
• All taught sessions take place in the main house of Aston Hall, which is a Grade I listed building and has many historic artefacts on open display. Artefacts must not be touched unless permission is granted by museum staff.
• Pupils are expected to show respect, listen to the museum staff and follow instructions. If it is felt the children are putting themselves, others or the museum in harm’s way you may be asked to leave.
• Adults must stay with the pupils at all times.

Photography

Photography is permitted. We request that you take photos without flash to help us protect our historic artefacts. If you are taking photographs in your taught session please let the Learning and Engagement Officer know.