Home

Learning

Places for school visits

Battle of Bannockburn teacher information

Practicalities for your school visit

Battle of Bannockburn teacher information

Practicalities for your school visit

Here is some helpful additional information about booking your school visit at Bannockburn.

Accessibility

At Bannockburn, we aim to be accessible for all. The site includes the following features:

Dedicated accessible parking bays are available at the nearest parking point to the visitor centre.
The Exhibition Experience uses a range of audio, visual and sensory techniques to convey the story of the Battle of Bannockburn. Please contact us for more information.
Our site is wheelchair-accessible and suitable for mobility vehicles, prams and buggies.
An accessible toilet is available inside the visitor centre.
Translated materials are available in select languages to assist pupils with English as an additional language. Contact the Learning team for more information.

Find out more in our accessibility guide, which includes more detailed information, images and a sensory map.

Sessions can be adapted to meet the needs of your group. Please contact us to further discuss any physical or sensory access needs.

Cancellations & amendments

Please let us know as far in advance as possible if there are significant changes to your anticipated pupil numbers or arrival time. For any cancellations we require at least 14 days’ notice. If cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice, a charge may be incurred. We will endeavour to reschedule any groups that have to cancel due to circumstances outwith their control, such as extreme weather.

Evaluation

We’d love you to share your experience of visiting with your class.

Please complete our online survey after your visit

Two young school girls try on medieval helmets, with one adjusting the fit on the other!

Inclement weather

Full-day visits involve spending some time outdoors, so please advise pupils to wear weather-appropriate clothing. Paving slabs may be slippery when wet.

Parking

If you’re arriving by coach, follow the signs to the coach parking area, which is situated beside the visitor centre. Once parked, please check in at our front desk.

Parking for schools is free of charge.

Risk assessment

The Learning staff will prepare their own risk assessments for the activities they lead. All staff are Disclosure checked and have been through National Trust for Scotland in-house training courses.

A Battle of Bannockburn staff member will establish themself as the person in charge of the session, but the class teacher will have responsibility for discipline throughout the visit. Please stay with your group at all times and be aware of where your pupils are. We ask that there should always be two adults present with your group.

Weapons and object-handling will adhere to the National Trust for Scotland’s own guidelines.

Within the Experience, the lighting level is low. Teachers are asked to ensure pupils do not run while in this space.

Within the Battle Room, there are metal railings; pupils must be discouraged from climbing, swinging or otherwise playing on the bars.

We recommend that, wherever possible, group leaders make a preparatory visit free of charge to familiarise themselves with the site and identify any potential dangers, as well as to help plan the visit. Familiarisation visits for teachers can be booked through the centre by emailing learningatbannockburn@nts.org.uk or call 01786 812664.

Sustainability

Our sessions are designed to avoid waste and to re-use materials. We provide recycling facilities for you to use during your visit.

Three students chat in a classroom area, with the one in the middle wearing a medieval helmet. The helmet has a pointed bit that fully covers the face.

Toilets

There are toilets (including an accessible toilet) inside the visitor centre.

Travel subsidy

Thanks to generous support from the Scottish Government, we’re able to offer a transport subsidy to Scottish schools wishing to visit Bannockburn. The subsidy covers 75% of transport costs, up to a maximum of £300. Scotland’s special schools and units can apply for 100% of transport costs, up to a maximum of £300. Funding is limited and priority will be given to schools in areas with high indicators of multiple deprivation. We will provide more information, including a link to the application form, once you book.

Visiting the shop

Pupils are welcome to visit our shop. We ask that they visit in small groups and are supervised by a leader.

Where you can eat

Spaces are available for the eating of packed lunches when you pre-book a visit. Groups can also use our café.