Imperial War Museum Duxford is not just a museum but a working airfield and historic site, offering a unique insight into conflict and over a century of aviation. From the early days of flight, through to the dramatic days of the Second World War and the technological advances of the Cold War.

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What We Offer Visiting Schools

IWM Duxford has played a central role in some of the most significant periods of 20th century history.

Explore the formed RAF fighter station that was used during both the First and Second World Wars. IWM Duxford is home to an impressive collection of over two hundred aircraft as well as tanks, military vehicles, and maritime craft. You can climb aboard historic aircraft, see conservation in action and walk through the very hangars where history happened, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience for your students or group.

Some of IWM Duxford exhibitions are changing. In order to undertake this important work, we are beginning to relocate some objects and collection items, you may even get a chance to see this work in action! To find out what is open during your visit, check out our exhibitions page: IWM Duxford – Our Exhibitions And Displays – See What’s Here | IWM

For additional information and ways to book, please visit:  IWM Duxford School Visits, Trips And Learning Sessions | IWM

Why Choose Us for an Educational Visit

Here at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, students can uncover the causes, course, and consequences of war, from the First World War through to present-day conflict.  IWM Duxford is not just a museum but working airfield, visit and you’ll likely see aircrafts take to the skies from the very place Spitfires first flew!

A visit to IWM Duxford is a full day out for schools with plenty of areas to explore. Students will have the opportunity to walk through the same hangars and buildings as those who served at RAF Duxford. Inside every hangar and exhibition, you’ll discover iconic aircraft, see historic objects from our collections and uncover hundreds of personal stories of the many lives impacted by conflict.

The team can tailor a visit to your needs. School groups can choose to take part in one of our Learning Sessions, aimed at KS2-4 and led by one of our expert educators.

Documentary Challenge: This 45-minute digital-led session is delivered by one of our learning experts. In a group of three, the student will be given a clapper board and a mobile phone to create a documentary of their chosen object in the hangars. The recorded video will be accessible to the school after the session and stored securely in a private cloud database.

We Were There: This is a unique chance for students to meet veterans and eyewitnesses from the Second World War to today, hear their personal stories, ask questions, and connect through conversations.

Our extraordinary volunteers help bring those stories to life and support your visit. For more information about our bookable learning sessions please visit our website: Learning sessions at IWM Duxford | Imperial War Museums

Subjects and Topics Covered

STEM

Drama

English

History

Communication skills

Confidence building

Leadership

Problem solving

Team building

FWW

SWW

COLD WAR

Accreditation and Awards

Council for Learning Outside of the Classroom Badge (Quality Badge Certificate Number: 102015)

Group Sizes Catered For

We can accommodate school groups of any size, although we will ask you to stagger your arrival times by groups of 60. Learning Sessions can accommodate groups of 30 at a time.

Itineraries, Resources, and Workshops

We have a number of free school visit resources ready to print and download for you trip, including Hangar Trails designed for KS2 and KS3 available online: https://www.iwm.org.uk/learning/sessions/school-visit-resources-iwm-duxford

We also offer classroom resources for when you are back at school:

https://www.iwm.org.uk/learning/resources

Risk Assessment

Teachers are advised to carry out a preliminary visit in advance of their school trip in order to conduct their own risk assessment. Responsibility for pupils on school visits remains with the teachers at all times.

Everyday hazards such as slipping, tripping, or falling on stairs, trapping fingers in doors and cuts and bruises are inherent in all environments. The following site-specific factors should be considered in relation to the individual needs of each group member.

We encourage teachers to conduct pre-visit planning. To request two free group leader pre-visit tickets email: Dux-Edu@iwm.org.uk

Please see IWM Identified Risk to help you with your own risk assessment: https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford/groups/schools/risk-identification

Please also see our Schools Code of Conduct: Schools Code of Conduct | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)

IWM wishes to ensure that all children and vulnerable adults are safe and protected from harm whilst visiting its premises.

Our safeguarding policy and accompanying procedures outline the safeguarding systems we have in place: Safeguarding Policy 2018.pdf (iwm.org.uk)

Education Department Information

Dux-Edu@iwm.org.uk.

Pricing Information

Admission to IWM Duxford is free for pre-booked school groups with children aged 5-15 years old. Students and children must be supervised at all times with one adult for every 10 children (admission for supervising adults is free). Additional adult tickets are currently £23.70, increasing to £24.10 from September. For a full and up to date price list please visit our website: https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford/schools/plan-a-visit

Accessibility and Facilities

We have a packed lunchroom (with bag and coat storage), where you will be assigned a lunch slot. When the weather permits, schools often enjoy eating their lunch outdoors, there are picnic tables positioned across the site. There is also a café serving hot drinks and food throughout the day.

Our museum shop provides a wide range of books, CDs, DVDs, clothing and accessories, posters and stationery, souvenirs, and gift ideas. For our younger visitors we have an exciting range of games, toys and souvenirs as well as a selection of children’s books. There are also educational resource materials and children’s activity books on sale.

We are committed to ensuring IWM Duxford is accessible to all visitors and hope the facilities we have introduced enhance your visit. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford/access

Opening Hours

10am-6pm, last entry 5pm.

Open every day except 24-26 December.