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Museums Learning Newsletter Autumn 2025

Hello and welcome back!

We’ve got some exciting updates for the new term. Our loan boxes are now easier to borrow, now with longer loan times and a new delivery and collection service starting 23 September.

We’re also ready for Black History Month in October, with free live webinars and assemblies for your class.

Scroll down to see what’s new, including workshops, events for home educators, and how you can help shape our future learning offers.

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replica and real objects from a Tudor home laid out on a white table cloth

What's new?

Loan Box Delivery and Collection Service 

We’ve made it easier for Bristol schools to borrow a Learning Museums loan box.

Bring fascinating museum objects into your classroom with longer loan periods—and now we’ll deliver and collect them for you. We’ll be delivering on 23 September and collecting on 21 October, so contact us to book soon!

You can still pick up a loan box from Bristol Museum & Art Gallery on other dates, but please note that these may have shorter loan periods.

Tudor Bristol: Loan Box and Webinar Package

We’ve launched a new learning resource for schools: a Tudor Bristol loan box paired with a live webinar led by a museum expert.

Borrow the box from the museum, then join us online to explore what life was like in Tudor Bristol. Our Museum Educator will use real museum objects, replicas and images to bring the past to life.

You’ll also get a Resource Pack with pre-session activities and resources for follow-up activities.

Suitable for KS2 and can be booked for up to 60 pupils from the same school.
Bristol Museums Loan Boxes
a fossilised head of a Temnodontasaurus in a glass display case

KS1 Mary Anning Workshop
Discover the story of palaeontologist Mary Anning and the mighty Temnodontosaurus in this hands-on workshop for Years 1 and 2.

Children will explore real fossils, try fossil hunting tools, and investigate our fossil and dinosaur galleries with specially designed Dinosaur Explorer bags.

This new Museums Learning workshop begins in November, so book now!
Mary Anning Workshop: Book here
children crowd around a suitcase of WW11 artefacts in a classroom

Home Educating Families: Upcoming Workshops

We have some brilliant workshops coming up for home-educating families:

  • 15 October – Bristol & the Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Africans (ages 12-17) 
  • 12 November – Bristol at War: The Home Front (ages 8-12) 
  • 19 November – Ancient Egypt (ages 8 -12) 
  • 5 December – Bristol and Chocolate (booking opens soon)
Home Educator workshops: Book here
a bronze plaque from the Benin Kingdom featuring soldiers on horseback

Black History Month events
To celebrate Black History Month we are offering schools free live learning events about the Black Bristolians who have helped shape this city, and the amazing art of the Kingdom of Benin, West Africa. 

Live Webinars. 
 
6 and 20 October – Brilliant Black Bristolians 
Meet inspiring local figures like Carmen Beckford, Roy Hackett, and Alfred Fagon, and learn about their impact on Bristol and beyond.

13 October – The Kingdom of Benin 
Discover the art and achievements of this powerful West African kingdom and compare its metalwork with English art from the same era.

Webinars are open to multiple schools.
 
Live Online Assemblies. 

6 and 20 October – Brilliant Black Bristolians 

One school only per date.
Book Live Learning events: Black History Month
a young teacher reads to a class of primary aged children in a classroom

Storytelling Week in February 2026
Register your interest at museumbookings@bristol.gov.uk

Celebrate National Storytelling Week with Bristol Museums at M Shed.
From 2–6 February, pupils in Years 4 and 5 can enjoy workshops led by professional storytellers and writers.

Activities will include listening to magical stories, playing fun games, and developing speaking and listening skills.

This is perfect for classes focusing on oracy.

Teacher's Forum
We’re launching a termly online Teachers’ Forum (autumn, spring, summer) to help shape our learning offer. There will be a different focus each time, and we will be starting in December with Secondary History.

We want to hear:

  • What your students need
  • What formats work best

You only need to commit to one 45-minute session, with no obligation to attend future forums (though you’re welcome to!).
Register your interest at museumbookings@bristol.gov.uk
an ornate and old school building with pupils walking in courtyard

Spotlight on.......
Clifton College Open Days.

Our Education sponsor Clifton College has Open Days coming up soon.
They are as follows:

  • Friday 26 September : Preschool – Year 6
  • Friday 3 October : 6th Form
  • Saturday 4 October : Year 7 – 11
Book here: Clifton College Open Days

Exhibitions and events



Visit: Bristol Museums 'What's On' for more.
a family look at artefacts on a shelf from a Roman Villa
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Contact the Bristol Museums Learning Team
With thanks to our Education Sponsor, Clifton College.
Bristol Museums
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Queens Road
Bristol
BS8 1RL
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