Members of the public can explore our Collections both formally and informally. Our Education Officer focuses on schools and families, while the Exhibitions and Access Coordinator works on the exhibitions and adult learning.
Formal Learning
Local primary schools can book any of six different free activity-based sessions linked to the National Curriculum and taught in one of our three museums. Topics range from Fossils to Ancient Egyptians. Three of these sessions are also available as live video lessons for schools that cannot travel to Eton.
After Covid forced the closure of the museums in March 2020, on site museum learning sessions resumed in September 2021, and the Education Officer welcomed many classes, many of whom were making their first school trip. Over the academic year 2021/2022, there were 122 on site sessions, for 3305 students from reception to year 11, coming from both local schools and further afield. Some schools still chose online sessions, with 39 virtual sessions delivered to 1,579 students.
In addition to the educator-led sessions, from November to March local schools can attend sessions developed and run by C Block (Year 12) Eton boys as part of the Eton College Community Engagement programme.
A very enjoyable and informative session. Children came away saying it was the best trip ever!
Teacher evaluation
The Collections offer free CPD. The next training day is being planned and will be a cross-curricular session on botany, explorers and art, based on an upcoming exhibition on Sir Joseph Banks.
We also have digital resources – PowerPoints, lessons, information and activities tied into the National Curriculum – available on our website so that teachers can supplement both their classroom teaching and their visits to the collections and museums.
I think the video session was very informative and well structured. The children really enjoyed the session and we had some lovely feedback from parents too. Thank you for your hard work in producing it for us.
Teacher evaluation of video session
Book a School visit to Collections
students interacted with our Collections in a formal learning capacity between September 2021 and July 2022.
Informal Learning
Our museums are open on Sunday afternoons 2-5pm and we look forward to welcoming visitors to the Museum of Antiquities, Natural History Museum, and the Museum of Eton Life as well as the Verey, Austen Leigh and Millington Drake galleries.
Temporary exhibitions Six Centuries of Food and Dining at Eton College and Ancient Beings have proved popular with visitors. Exhibitions are open both by appointment and, whenever possible, as part of the Sunday opening.
The Collections’ new online exhibition, Eton’s Bard, Thomas Gray and his Elegy, marks the 250th anniversary of the death of Thomas Gray. This is now accessible on the collections website.
Family events are usually held onsite in conjunction with exhibitions. These are free and operate on a walk-in basis. Due to Covid three virtual half term family events, tied into our online Creatures of the Wild Wood exhibition, were held over February and May 2021 half terms. We learned all about local animals and their habitats, made crafts and had a fun quiz with 35 families from Windsor and Slough.
We as a family enjoyed the session and look forward to any future events. Thumbs up from us!
Parent evaluation of virtual family learning session
Historic Buildings
The College is also responsible for the upkeep of 78 Listed Buildings including our Chapel. We share in the Patronage of 21 parish churches and have chancel repair responsibilities for 11.
