School visits: what to expect
Your Gallery session
All sessions take place in the Gallery and are led by experienced Gallery educators. Their aim is to help you and your students engage and respond to the collection of Western European paintings which date from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century.
You will normally be shown between three and five paintings during the hour-long session. This may seem a small number but we want young people to leave the Gallery having enjoyed the process of looking at a few paintings, which they will remember.
Your Gallery educator will meet you at the Pigott Education Centre entrance and take you back there at the end.
Booking queries
If you have a query about your booking or you need to cancel, phone 020 7747 2424.
We may ask for costs if you give less than 48 working hours’ notice of a cancellation, or you fail to turn up.
Pre-visit information
We look forward to welcoming you to the National Gallery. In order to get the most from your visit please read the following information.
[PDF 275kb – opens in a new window]
Arrival and entrances
Booked school groups should use the Pigott Education Centre entrance at the back of the Gallery in Orange Street.
If you arrive late on the day of your visit, please telephone us on 020 7747 2424. Please plan to arrive about 15 minutes before the time your talk is due to start. If you arrive late, your Gallery educator may not be able to offer you a full hour's talk. If you arrive much earlier than your booked time, please use the Sainsbury Wing Entrance as the schools cloakroom may not be able to accommodate you until your booked slot.
Cloakrooms
Please be aware that at busy times, the Pigott Education Centre cloakroom is only available for the duration of your booked school visit.
On arrival each school is assigned a colour-coded section to store coats and bags.
Lunch rooms
Bookings are for 30 minutes. If your group is small you may be asked to share with another group. Ensure you leave in time for the next group to start their lunch punctually and leave the room clean and tidy. Cleaning materials are provided.
Toilets
Female toilets are on the ground floor, male toilets are on the first (main) floor. Boys under seven may use the female toilets if you have no male adult with you. There are limited numbers of toilets so please allow sufficient time if you are taking a large group.
In the Gallery
Gallery rules
- Teachers and adult helpers are responsible for their students at all times and must stay with their group
- Do not touch the paintings or get too close
- You may use pencils and felt tips for drawing but not wax crayons, pastels or ink pens
- The use of cameras and audio/video equipment is not permitted
- Mobile phones must be switched to silent
If you arrive early or if you want to stay on after your talk, we recommend you divide the class into small groups. Please be advised not to assume you will be able to see a particular painting because they are sometimes moved off display at short notice, and remember that National Gallery Educators take precedence so avoid rooms where other school and adult groups are being taught.
Pre-Visit Information for Schools
[PDF 211kb – opens in a new window]
Contact us
Telephone: 020 7747 2424
Fax: 020 7747 2431
Email: education@ng-london.org.uk
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See also
How to lead your own group round the Gallery- Book a talk for your school group
- See a plan of the Gallery
