IWM provides history teachers and students in UK schools and colleges with everything they need to explore the course, causes and consequences of conflict from the First World War to the present day.
Find out about life on board a Second World War battleship, compare First World War poetry with soldiers' trench art or explore the science of flight in the shadow of Concorde. Sign up to our e-news letter to keep up to date.
Visiting and Learning Sessions
A visit to one of IWM's five branches will:
- Develop students’ skills of historical enquiry
- Boost their understanding of cause and consequence, chronology and historical significance
- Explore interpretation using our unparalleled national Collections
- Visit one of our branches: IWM London, IWM North, IWM Duxford, Churchill War Rooms or HMS Belfast.
Visits can be self directed and incorporate investigation of our historic sites as well as exploration of a range of exhibitions and galleries.
During term time schools can also choose to include one of our learning sessions in their visit. These are curriculum-mapped for History, Art, Citizenship, Science or Literacy and involve artefact handling and evaluating evidence.
IWM London Learning Sessions
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Documentary Challenge
This interactive session asks students to use historical enquiry skills to make a mini-documentary to question, consider, debate and evaluate sources.
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Second World War: Meet an Evacuee
Students in years 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to meet a Second World War eyewitness who can answer students' questions and share their memories of evacuation and life on the home front. Bookings between January – July 2018 are now open.
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The Holocaust: Introduction to the Exhibition
Through discussion and reflection students will prepare to visit The Holocaust Exhibition. Bookings between January – July 2018 are now open.
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Self-Guided Visits
A visit to IWM London may support studies of war and conflict from 1914 until the present day. Request a visit
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School visits to IWM London
Bookings are now open for school groups to visit IWM London between January – July 2018.
IWM North Learning Sessions
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The Holocaust: Life in Germany
Students will deepen their understanding of how political, economic and social change in Germany affected the people who lived there. Bookings between January – July 2018 are now open.
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The Holocaust: People and Objects
Through looking at the artefacts on display and hearing personal stories, students gain an insight into the impact of the Holocaust on survivors and their families. Bookings between January – July 2018 are now open.
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We Were There: Ask Questions About Conflict (KS2)
This interactive session is a unique chance to meet veterans and eyewitnesses to hear real stories of conflict and build on the Key Stage 2 curriculum through a cross-curricular approach. Bookings now open.
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We Were There: Ask Questions About Conflict (KS3)
This interactive session is a unique chance to meet veterans and eyewitnesses to hear real stories of conflict and build on the Key Stage 3 curriculum through a cross-curricular approach. Bookings now open.
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Documentary Challenge
This interactive session asks students to use historical enquiry skills to make a mini-documentary to question, consider, debate and evaluate sources.
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Ministry of Memory
This interactive session investigates Remembrance and personal stories from the First World War to today.
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Activity Trails
A series of trails have been created to help your students explore IWM North.
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Self-Guided Visits
Explore displays on First and Second World War themes such as the Blitz, evacuation, life on the home front, rationing and trench warfare.
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School visits to IWM North
Bookings are now open for school groups to visit IWM North between January – July 2018.
IWM Duxford Learning Sessions
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The Cold War: The Shadow of the Future
This interactive session investigates Cold War History, decision-making and consequences for Key Stage 4. Booking now open.
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Activity Trails
A series of trails have been created to help your students explore IWM Duxford.
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Self-Guided Visits
Explore the former RAF fighter station that was used during both the First and Second World Wars.
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Documentary Challenge
This interactive session asks students to use historical enquiry skills to make a mini-documentary to question, consider, debate and evaluate sources.
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School Visits to IWM Duxford
Bookings are now open for school groups to visit IWM Duxford between January – July 2018.
Churchill War Rooms Visits
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Self Guided Visits
A visit to IWM Churchill War Rooms may support studies of the Second World War home front, Winston Churchill or British government and politics.
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School visits to Churchill War Rooms
Bookings are now open for school groups to visit Churchill War Rooms between January – July 2018.
HMS Belfast Visits
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Self Guided Visits
A visit to HMS Belfast may support studies of the Second World War, Arctic Convoys, Korean War or The River Thames.
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Kip in a Ship
Sleep overnight on board HMS Belfast and experience life below deck in this adventure on the River Thames. Kip in a Ship offers an exciting and affordable sleepover experience for schools or youth groups with children aged 7-18 in the heart of London.
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School visits to HMS Belfast
Bookings are now open for school groups to visit HMS Belfast between January – July 2018.
