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Bookings & Enquiries

Information for education courses at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

As well as a range of exciting new digital courses for all key stages to book online, we also have a number of on-site sessions available. These include:

  • workshops for key stages 1 & 2 at Mary Arden’s Farm - a safe, secure and fun site with special access for primary schools.
  • Talks for key stages 3 to 5 at Hall's Croft or Harvard House, both located in Stratford-upon-Avon town centre.

To book or to enquire about any of our courses, please fill in our online booking form.

Useful Information for on-site workshops

To help your visit go smoothly please consider the following:

  • Check your confirmation letter and booking details for useful information regarding the schedule of your day.
  • Ensure all adult helpers accompanying the group know the schedule and activities for the day.
  • Bear in mind roads around the town can be busy and allow sufficient time for your journey.
  • On arrival, you will be met by one of the Learning Team.
  • Make sure the pupils have been divided into any sub-groups (where applicable) prior to arrival to ensure minimal delays on the day.

FAQs for on-site workshops

Is parking available for coaches and minibuses?

For the key stage 1 & 2 workshops, we offer coach parking at Mary Arden's Farm.

Whilst coaches are welcome to remain on site at the farm, we do not have separate refreshment or toilet facilities for the drivers to access. There is, however, another coach park by the leisure centre in Stratford-upon-Avon town centre, 11 Warwick Crescent, CV37 6YY they may prefer to wait at.

For the key stage 3 to 5 sessions in town, coaches can drop off and pick up their groups at the Windsor Street Coach Park [CV37 6NL] close to Shakespeare's Birthplace or use the coach park by the leisure centre.

When are payments due?

The booking confirmation will detail the cost of the visit. We also ask you to confirm to whom a separate invoice should be emailed. This is sent out a week or so before the visit.

What teacher/student ratio do you require?

Please see individual course pages for teacher/student ratios.

For the key stage 1 & 2 workshops, all accompanying groups are free of charge. For key stages 3 to 5 one teacher is free with every 10 students.

Are there any guidelines for teachers and pupils?

We do expect teachers to stay with their pupils at all times while visiting. We expect groups to behave and be supervised appropriately, and we reserve the right to ask your group to leave if the behaviour of any member of your party is considered continually disruptive or unruly. Visiting groups and SBT should comply with any ongoing or future Government COVID guidance regarding educational visits and activity as well as schools’ individual policies.

Are your teaching spaces accessible to visitors with disabilities?

There is wheelchair access, including toilet access, on all our teaching sites except Harvard House (a Tudor building). We ask therefore that you let us know in advance if you have any wheelchair users in your group. Due to the nature of the teaching spaces we do not have hearing loop systems in place.

What are your arrangements for first aid?

We have trained first aiders on site in the event of a medical emergency. However if you have any pupils/students in the group with specific medical needs, please ensure you have staff who can take responsibility for administering any medication should the need arise.

Is there an indoor space for us to eat lunch?

Only at Mary Arden's Farm where the key stage 1 & 2 groups can either eat in their designated teaching space or, weather permitting, in the picnic area. We suggest children put uneaten food back in their lunchboxes but rubbish bins are also provided.

We cannot offer an indoor lunch space for sessions at either Hall's Croft or Harvard House.

What is your cancellation policy?

Please refer to the booking confirmation form for details of our cancellation policy.

How do we find Mary Arden’s Farm?

Mary Arden’s Farm is 3.5 miles outside of Stratford-upon-Avon in the village of Wilmcote. Coach parking is also available at the site. Wilmcote is also a stop on the main railway from Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon.

How do I access teaching resources?

For more information about how to access our learning resources, visit our resources page.

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Teaching Resources

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