Imperial War Museum Duxford

What will students see and do?

Imperial War Museum Duxford is not just a museum but also 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, it has played a central role in some of the most significant periods of 20th century history.

Explore the former 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, the museum’s team are beginning to relocate some objects and collection items, and you may even get a chance to see this work in action!

To find out what is open during your visit, check out the museum’s exhibitions page. You can find additional information and ways to book here.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

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 conflicts. The site is not just a museum but also a working airfield – visit and you’ll likely see aircraft 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 the museum’s 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 the available learning sessions, aimed at KS2–4 and led by one of the museum’s expert educators:

Documentary Challenge: This 45-minute digital-led session is delivered by one of the museum’s learning experts. In groups of three, students 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. The museum’s extraordinary volunteers help bring those stories to life and support your visit.

For more information about the bookable learning sessions, please visit the website.

Subjects covered

Details of 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. To request two free group leader pre-visit tickets, email Dux-Edu@iwm.org.uk. 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. Site-specific factors that should be considered in relation to the individual needs of each group member are listed here to help you with your own risk assessment.

You can find the museum’s Schools Code of Conduct here.

IWM wishes to ensure that all children and vulnerable adults are safe and protected from harm whilst visiting its premises. Its safeguarding policy and accompanying procedures outline the safeguarding systems the museum has in place.

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