School visits: what to expect
Your gallery talk
All our talks for schools are led by experienced Gallery teachers. We aim to help you and your students engage with the collection of Western European paintings made between 1250 and 1900.
Your Gallery teacher will meet you at the Education Centre entrance and take you back there at the end of your talk.
Talks last an hour and focus on three to five paintings. The aim is to examine a few paintings in depth, which helps young people enjoy their time at the Gallery and remember more information afterwards.
Find out more about Talking Paintings
Booking queries
If you have a query about your booking or you need to cancel, phone 020 7747 2424. Due to the large volume of schools visits, we are unable to change the dates or times of bookings.
We may ask for costs if you give less than 48 working hours’ notice of a cancellation, or you fail to turn up.
On the day
Arrival and entrances
We recommend you arrive at the Education Centre 15 minutes before your talk. If you are delayed, phone 020 7747 2424. If you arrive late, your Gallery teacher may not be able to offer you a full hour.
If you arrive much earlier than your booked time, we recommend you use the Sainsbury Wing entrance as the schools cloakroom may not be able to accommodate you until your booked slot.
Booked school groups should use the Education Centre entrance at the back of the Gallery in Orange Street. Report to the Reception Desk.
Accompanying adults
Each class needs a minimum of two adults, including one teacher.
Cloakrooms
There is a schools cloakroom where each school is assigned a colour-coded section for coats and bags. Students using the cloakroom must be accompanied by an adult.
Lunch
To eat packed lunches, you can book a sandwich room in advance. Bookings are for 30 minutes. If your group is small you may be asked to share with another group.
Ensure you leave in time for the next group to start their lunch punctually and leave the room clean and tidy. Cleaning materials are provided.
Toilets
Female toilets are on the ground floor, male toilets are on the first (main) floor. Boys under seven may use the female toilets if you have no male adult with you.
There are a limited number of female toilets, so please allow sufficient time if you are bringing a large group. You are welcome to use the toilet facilities in other areas of the Gallery, such as the Sainsbury Wing.
Length of stay
We recommend about two and a half hours including lunch, to ensure students stay motivated. If you arrive early or if you want to stay on after your talk, we recommend you break up into small groups (no larger than 10) and avoid rooms where other school and adult groups are being taught.
Activities and worksheets
To keep visitors flowing around the Gallery and to ensure against overcrowding in popular rooms, we do not recommend you use worksheets linked to a particular painting.
Paintings are often moved off display at short notice and we cannot give an absolute guarantee that certain paintings will be available on the day of your visit.
National Gallery lecturers delivering talks take precedence in front of the paintings.
National Gallery rules
We recommend you follow these guidelines:
- Teachers and adult helpers are responsible for their students at all times and must stay with their group
- Do not touch the paintings or get too close
- You may use pencils and felt tips for drawing but not wax crayons, pastels or ink pens
- The use of cameras and audio/video equipment is not permitted
- Mobile phones must be switched off
Pre Visit Information for Schools
Contact us
Telephone: 020 7747 2424
Fax: 020 7747 2431
Email: education@ng-london.org.uk
See also
-
How to lead your own group round the Gallery -
Book a talk for your school group
