WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO MAKE A BOOKING?
- Your school name and contact details, including the name of the teacher leading the visit.
- Number of children in your group.
- A variety of possible dates when you could visit.
- Time of arrival and departure.
- Which activities you would like to book, please see full programme here: KS1, KS2, Secondary, Special Schools (subject to availability).
- If your group has children with special educational or access needs and how we can best meet these needs.
- If your group requires the use of the Riggers’ Yard lunch area (subject to availability)
- Due to demand, please note that we cannot make provisional bookings.
HOW MUCH IS A VISIT AND HOW CAN I PAY?
- Please see the relevent Key Stage page or contact our Booking Team via email groups@ssgreatbritain.org or on 0117 926 0680 to find out current prices and payment options.
- We accept cheques, cash or credit/debit card on your arrival.
- Alternatively, we can invoice your school. Please request this when you book.
WHAT TOURS ARE AVAILABLE?
- Where available, schools can book a Guided Tour of the Ship.
- Guided Tours are led by our friendly and knowledgeable volunteer Tour Guides.
- Tours are subject to availability and should be requested on booking.
- Tours for UK schools cost £20 per tour.
- Please allow at least 60 minutes in your schedule for your Guided Tour and transit time.
- Please note that if your group is late the Tour Guide may be allocated to another group.
HOW DO I ENSURE A SMOOTH AND ENJOYABLE VISIT?
- Enjoy a free pre-visit recce to familiarise yourself with the site, simply bring your confirmation letter to the Visitor Centre and show it to a member of staff to be admitted free of charge. If you have any further questions, please contact the Bookings Team on 0117 926 0680.
- Share the Visual Story and Sensory Information Guide with any children who may need extra preparation or be worried about the visit.
- Explore the free learning resources for schools available here
- Check out our Top 10 Tips for a safe, smooth and enjoyable school visit to Brunel’s SS Great Britain.
- Ensure all adult helpers are familiar with the schedule and activities for the day.
- If you have booked a workshop, please be aware that your workshop leader will ask for the class teacher’s help to divide the class into smaller groups.
HOW CAN I ENHANCE OUR VISIT?
- Enhance your visit before, during and afterwards with free learning resources available here.
- Free self-led resources are available to use during your visit can be found here: KS1, KS2, Secondary and Special Schools.
WHAT IS THE ADULT TO CHILD RATIO?
- For school groups, we offer free entry for one adult per six children.
- Please follow your school’s policy; we recommend adult to child ratios of 1:6 (Key Stages 1 and 2) or 1:10 (Key Stages 3 and 4).
- All accompanying adults should be prepared to support activities, supervise children where required and support children’s learning and enjoyment during the visit.
CAN YOU HELP ME WITH MY RISK ASSESSMENT?
- Please follow your school’s guidelines in compiling your own risk assessment for your visit.
- We have prepared a School Safety and Hazard Identification Guide to help you prepare your own risk assessment. Please note that this is not a risk assessment.
WHAT DO WE DO IF WE’RE RUNNING LATE?
- Please call 0117 926 0680 if you are running late with an estimated time of arrival if possible.
WHAT DO I DO WHEN WE ARRIVE?
- Brunel’s SS Great Britain opens at 10am. We cannot accommodate early entry for groups arriving before 10am.
- If you have arrived early, we recommend that your group remain on the coach or gather in Brunel Square.
- Coaches can park in the Bristol City Council car park adjacent to the site. Parking is on a first come, first served basis.
- A designated adult should go to the Visitor Centre to pick up the group’s tickets.
- A member of staff or volunteer from Brunel’s SS Great Britain will meet, welcome and give your group an introduction which includes information about orientation and safety on site.
WHAT STORAGE OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR OUR BAGS?
- There are a number of storage areas available on site.
- On arrival, a member of staff or volunteer will show your group where to store bags and food.
- Please take special care to ensure you have all belongings with you when you leave.
- Please take care to supervise valuables at all times. The Trust cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss of any personal possessions experienced during a visit to Brunel’s SS Great Britain.
WHERE CAN WE EAT OR DRINK ON SITE?
- The Riggers’ Yard School Lunch Area is a covered outdoor picnic area for school groups. Optional heating is available in colder weather.
- Where there is availability, your school will be allocated a timed slot to use the Riggers’ Yard lunch area. You will be notified of your time slot on arrival and these timed lunch arrangements will be displayed on blackboards in the Riggers’ Yard.
- The Bookings Team should be notified in advance if your group need to use the lunch area at a particular time. Please discuss arrangements on 0117 926 0680.
- Please ensure your group leaves the Riggers’ Yard lunch area how you would wish to find it. Please dispose of all rubbish and food waste in the bins provided or take your rubbish back to school with you.
- Eating is not allowed on the ship or in the Dockyard Museum, Medlock Education Centre, Being Brunel or Visitor Centre.
WHAT TOILET FACILITIES DO YOU HAVE?
- Toilets are available on the ground floor of the Dockyard Museum next to the Medlock Education Centre, on the ship’s Saloon Deck, in Being Brunel and in the Visitor Centre.
- Accessible toilets are available in the Visitor Centre, Being Brunel, the ground floor of the Dockyard Museum and on board the ship (Saloon Deck).
WHAT HAPPENS IN AN EMERGENCY?
- You will hear a loud continuous alarm.
- Ensure all your group are present. Follow the fire exit signs to leave the building using the nearest available fire exit. Ensure that your group members keep together at all times.
- When outside, await further instructions from the Fire Marshal.
- Remain outside the building until the alarm has been silenced and the Fire Marshal has confirmed that it is safe to re-enter the building.
