V&A South Kensington: Schools and Colleges visit information

As well as being one of London's most beautiful and iconic buildings, it hosts unmissable exhibitions, experiences and educational programmes, year-round.

The national collections of art, design, fashion, photography and furniture are held here, along with spectacular galleries featuring thousands of incredible theatre and performance objects, architectural pieces, and ceramics.

V&A South Kensington is also home to the beautiful National Art Library.

To book workshops, self-guided visits, and exhibition tickets at V&A South Kensington, please create an account for your school.

Accounts are approved within 24 hours and can be used for all future bookings.

Join us at the museum for our inspiring in-person and hands-on curriculum-linked workshops for KS1 through to KS5. Workshops are available for registered schools only.

Self-guided visits are available for all key stages, free of charge, and must be booked online. Once you have registered your school, you can book a slot.

Please not that we do not accept bookings by third-party providers.

Already registered? Use the button below to book.

On arrival, please check in at the Learning Centre front desk. Our friendly team will be able to assist you with lockers.

Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia and the Pacific

Schools exhibition entry is available on selected dates until December 2026.

The National Art Library is open to the public on Tuesdays to Thursdays. Please email us separately to book a group visit.

Bring your students to see selected screenings from the National Video Archive of Performance (NVAP) – high-quality recordings of key live performances from 1992 to present day.

You will need to log in to make a booking. Don't have an account? Request an account for your school.

We have a range of free teaching resources for you to use before or after a visit to V&A South Kensington:

These additional resources may also support your teaching:

Explore the Collections is our online database of museum objects. You can use it to find a wide range of fashion, art and design objects to support your lesson plans.

Our YouTube channels feature a range of useful and inspiring content.

The V&A YouTube channel hosts films that show museum objects in great detail, the processes of how they were created, and interviews with makers. It is aimed at an all-ages audience.

The V&A Up Next YouTube channel is specifically aimed at 16+, telling stories of how objects, processes and cultural moments relate to contemporary culture, and creative careers.

For details of how to get to V&A South Kensington, our facilities, and what to expect when you arrive, please refer to our plan your visit page.

There are two coach drop-off points located on Cromwell Road. All drop-off points allow up to 15 minutes waiting time. Coach parking facilities are in Hyde Park, off Bayswater Road.

If you need to travel by vehicle for reasons of accessibility, please email us for guidance.

Schools based within the Greater London Area may be eligible for free or discounted travel via public transport. Visit the TfL website for more information.

Over seven miles of inspiring galleries are waiting for you at V&A South Kensington. Explore using our interactive map, and take a look at our teachers' resources to help you organise your visit.

Please note: galleries are occasionally closed at short notice. Please check our Visit page or call us on +44 (0)20 7942 2000 near the time of your visit.

Please call +44 (0)20 7942 2000 as soon as possible if you need to change or cancel your visit, or if you anticipate being late for your time slot.

Adult supervision is required at all times with the following adult-to-student ratios:

Students are not permitted in the galleries unaccompanied.

All teachers and accompanying adults are responsible for student supervision during your visit, and must remain with the group at all times.

Teachers are the lead supervisor for their group and must ensure that students behave in a way that minimises the likelihood of accidents or damage.

School groups visiting the Cast Courts must be in groups of no more than 10 students at a time. Despite objects in the Cast Courts having the appearance of stone or metal, they are actually made of plaster, making the densely populated displays both fragile and vulnerable

If anyone in your group has any additional access needs and requires assistance, please let us know at the time of booking.

Please see our disability and access page, or call us on +44 (0)20 7942 2000 for full information about access.

You should carry out your own risk assessment before you visit, and bring it with you on the day. See our health and safety information for more guidance.

If required, you can email the team to request a copy of our risk assessment.

You can enter V&A South Kensington via any entrance. The nearest entrance to the Learning Centre is the Blavatnik Entrance on Exhibition Road. This entrance is step-free and wheelchair accessible.

Upon arrival, please follow signs to the Learning Centre, where you will check in. Our interactive map is available to help you with wayfinding.

In the interest of visitor safety, our Security team may carry out bag searches at the entrances.

There are lunchroom, locker and bathroom facilities in our Learning Centre.

Lunchroom slots are automatically added to workshop bookings. To book a lunchroom slot for your self-guided visit, please add this to your schools account booking at the checkout stage.

Booking a lunchroom slot gives you access to use our lockers. It is the lead teacher's responsibility to ensure lockers are secure. Items are left in the lockers at your own risk.

School groups are welcome to visit our exhibitions.

Discounted school rates are available for selected exhibitions on selected dates and can be accessed through your schools account. Other exhibitions can be booked at the standard adult and student rate.

For further details on current exhibitions and pricing, please call our Contact Centre Team on +44 (0) 20 79422000 and an advisor will be able to process your request.

Teachers are responsible for students' behaviour and safety at all times. Please remind your group not to touch objects, shout or run.

You are welcome to draw in any gallery. For temporary exhibitions, please check signage or ask a member of staff. Please only use dry materials; for example, coloured or graphite pencils. Materials must be encased in a box or bag.

If you have any questions before you visit any of our museums, you can contact us by phone or email using the details provided below.

Contact Centre

Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 2000

Learning Co-ordinator, Schools and Colleges

Email: schools@vam.ac.uk