+ MY LISTBring learning to life and inspire your pupils in an award-winning educational and fun school trip! 

The Oceanarium welcomes school groups of all ages, abilities and sizes. With twelve spectacular naturally themed environments set across two floors, your class will engage in a global journey through the waters of the world.

What We Offer Visiting Schools

Silver (Self-Guided)    

This is our standard option which offers a self-guided visit for your class around the aquarium.

Gold (1 Hours Guided Tour)

This option includes a one hour guided tour led by one of our marine experts.  It can be adapted to age, ability and topic being studied. Maximum of 20 children per tour.

Upgrade your visit to a PLUS package for an additional £1 per child.

Our PLUS package includes use of our under cover lunch area (if required) and a 30-minute interactive School Session on the topic of your choice. 

Why Choose Us for an Educational Visit

With a huge variety of incredible wildlife representing the vast biodiversity on Earth, there are 1000’s of amazing creatures waiting to be encountered! From otters to penguins, turtles to jellyfish and fascinating sharks and stingrays, the habitats, adaptations and importance of these awe-inspiring creatures are here to be discovered. 

Learn about all things aquatic from our dedicated and passionate education hosts as they discuss a vast number of topics to amaze your mind! Get ready for a deep dive into wonderfully varied habitats from around the world, explore the differences between species, the importance of conservation and more! Adding to our educational experience, we have excellent key stage activity packs available for teachers and children to take advantage of. 

Subjects and Topics Covered

• Sensing the World – EYFS

Discover the incredible sights, sounds, colours and textures of the animal kingdom!

• Habitat Helpers! – KS1 and KS2.

Take a journey into some of the wonderfully varied habitats from around the world, from our incredible oceans to arid deserts, and identify animals which are adapted to live there!

• Curious Classification – KS1 and KS2.

Explore the differences between mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish, discovering the unique characteristics which allow us to group different animals.

• Amazing Adaptations! – KS2.

Discover some of the incredible habitats from around the world whilst identifying how animals are adapted for survival in different conditions. We will discuss these amazing adaptations, which over time may lead to evolution.

• Food for Thought… – KS1 & KS2.

Explore the different diets of carnivores, herbivores and omnivores and some of the amazing adaptations of how animals find their food in the wild.

• Considering Conservation – KS3, KS4, Further Education, Higher Education.

Investigate the importance of the existence of different species and the essential roles of zoos and aquariums in conserving our natural world.

Accreditation and Awards

Days out with the kids – ‘Best Educational Day Out’ 2019 South West Winner 

Group Sizes Catered For

Approximately up to 100 people for each school visit. Large groups will be divided into more manageable numbers with a maximum of 20 children per group accompanied by at least one leader, with staggered entry into the Oceanarium. 

Itineraries, Resources, and Workshops

We provide a Primary key stage one activity pack which will provide you with some activities and suggestions to use before and during your visit to the Oceanarium. 

Stay tuned for our Key Stage two activity pack, coming soon! 

• Careers – KS4, Further Education, Higher Education.

Discuss the wide range of career routes within the zoo and aquarium industry, the essential roles required for them to operate and important roles they contribute towards.

• Zoos & Aquariums in the 21st Century – Further and Higher Education.

Discuss the essential roles of zoos and aquaria and how attitudes and perceptions have changed over time, as well as what the future holds for these institutions and our natural world.

Risk Assessment

A risk assessment guidance document is available upon request. Due to the amount of individual risk assessments that cover the aquariums operation, it is not possible to send them out on an individual basis. We would strongly recommend that all organisers make a pre-arranged, preliminary visit to the Oceanarium to carry out their own risk assessment before bringing a group. Within this risk assement guidance document, rules and guidelines are displayed clearly in order for them to be adhered to. 

Two free pre-visit tickets per booking are available on request once a booking has been completed. These must be booked no less than 48 working hours in advance with our Marketing team. Please telephone: (01202) 311993 ex 208. It is essential that under 16s are supervised throughout their visit. 

Education Department Information

Please contact info@oceanarium.co.uk and your enquiry will be passed on to the relevant person or department. 

Pricing Information

We offer the following free adult ratios:

Pre School (3-5 yrs):  1:3
Primary School (5-11 yrs): 1:5
Secondary School (12-15 yrs): 1:10    

Additional adults, we charge a discounted entry price of £11.99
We also offer a free carer should any of the children require extra support (proof is required). 

We also have off peak and peak pricing. Peak months are May to July and off-peak are August to April. 

Silver self guided: Starting from £6.49 per child 

Silver PLUS 

(Self guided Plus extras): Starting from £7.49 per child 

What’s included: Self-guided visit, use of lunch room and on optional 30 minute interactive session 

Gold (Guided tour): Starting from £7.99  

What’s included: one hour guided tour led by one of our animal experts, tailored to you age/ curriculum level 

Gold PLUS

(Guided tour plus extras): Starting from £8.99 

What’s included: one hour guided tour, use of undercover lunch room and an optional 30 minute interactive session 

Accessibility and Disabled Facilities

Disabled toilets on ground floor located by entrance/ exit and shop. All areas of the Oceanarium are wheelchair accessible with ramps in place and a lift reaching all floors.  

Opening Hours

From October end of half term– February before half term opening hours are 10 am – 5 pm (Last entry 4 pm)

From start of February half term to end of October half term opening hours are 10 am – 6 pm (Last entry 5 pm) 

School bookings are available from 10:30 am onwards.