Ulster American Folkpark : Learning : For Teachers And Leaders : What Happens On A School Visit : Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland

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What Happens On A School Visit

Where to Park: A large area immediately to the left as you enter the car park has been set aside for coaches.
Arrival Procedures: The leader should check in immediately the group arrives at the Reception Desk. A member of Folk Park Staff (usually the Assistant Education Officer) will meet you there and check through the arrangements for your day including the time of your children's lunch break. If you need to make minor changes to the programme (e.g., a slightly earlier departure time) please discuss these with the Assistant Education Officer on your arrival at the Park, and before your programme begins.
Lunches may be left in a designated area in the lunchroom if desired, before your group begins its programme.

We usually advise that your toilet stop should be made after your group has been introduced to their guide for the day. This leaves the Assistant Education Officer free to deal with the next school group that arrives.
Materials for your Visit: A number of trails and activity books (link to learning resources) have been produced in connection with many of the programmes available. Where the booklet is an essential part of the programme, it is normally included in the admission price. If the booklet is optional, we will send you a copy in advance which you may photocopy for use with your pupils either during or after your visit. Materials for craft workshops are normally provided by the museum, although if the requirement is excessive, there may be an extra charge.
Group Management: We provide museum guides to lead each school programme. As teachers, you are entitled to free admission, since you are responsible for all group management and discipline issues. You, after all know your students best; your co-operation and active involvement will help ensure that the day runs smoothly. Our guides have a pre-set itinerary and schedule to follow closely, since there will probably be many other groups visiting the museum on the day of your visit, and all movements have to be co-ordinated. Teachers are responsible for supervising their group during the day and your duties include the following:
- staying with your group of pupils at all times, and actively assisting them;
- addressing any pupil misbehaviour should the need arise;
- following at the rear of the group to help keep everyone together;
- escorting/supervising pupils at toilet breaks;
- escorting a pupil to sick room and staying with him/her;
- supervising your pupils at all times including toilet stops, lunch breaks and in the museum shop.
The museum operates within the guidelines of its Child Protection Policy, a copy of which is available on request.
Lunch Breaks: We normally allow a lunch break of 30 minutes. To avoid congestion in the lunchroom we programme these times in advance. Please adhere to these times as far as possible - our staff will use this information to organise their own breaks. A lunchroom is provided where pupils and teachers may eat their packed lunches. Teachers are responsible for their pupils during this lunch break, and ensuring that the room is kept clean and tidy. Food must not be taken onto the museum site.
Schools may use the museum restaurant by prior arrangement - a special menu is available (Tel: (028) 8224 0918). Please advise us at time of booking if you plan to use the museum restaurant, so that we can organise a suitable time for your meal.
The Museum Shop: It is not our policy to allocate time during your programme to visit the museum shop. Most schools visit the shop, which is situated in reception beside the lunchroom, during their lunch break and after their visit. The shop stocks a range of giftware, books and smaller items such as erasers, pencils, notebooks etc.
Evaluation: If there are any problems please ask to speak with the Assistant Education Officer during your visit to have the matter resolved.
If you are unable to speak with a member of the education department please complete an evaluation form and return it to reception before you leave or mail it to the Education Department. Your comments are highly valued and if a response is necessary we will endeavour to get back to you within 7 working days.

In order to assure the quality of our programmes, we undertake (from time to time) in-depth evaluations of specific activities.

We would very much appreciate your assistance during these targeted evaluations.
After the Visit: We are interested in hearing about the follow-up work that you produce as a result of your visit, especially where the project is an innovative one. This could be a task for a pupil, to e-mail us a brief description, and if you have a digital camera/scanner, to send us a few accompanying images. Perhaps you plan to post material on your school web-site, if so, please e-mail the address to us.
Select Bibliographies are available for a number of themes covered by Folk Park Programmes.

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ULSTER AMERICANFOLK PARK

What Happens On A School Visit

ULSTER AMERICAN
FOLK PARK