Schools visits at Southbank Centre
Schools are always welcome at Southbank Centre, and we offer a variety of term-time activities for schools to take part in.
Whether you’re participating in an event or project or just picnicking with your class, please have a read of these frequently asked questions to get the most out of your visit and avoid disappointment.
Yes. Southbank Centre has a safeguarding policy for working with children and vulnerable adults. We require that all schools read this and return a signed copy of the Safeguarding Information for Schools form to Southbank Centre before bringing your group on site. The completed form should be returned to Southbank Centre as part of your booking process once your booking has been confirmed.
View Safeguarding information for the Schools form
To help you complete your risk assessment, see our useful document with health and safety information.
No, you do not need to complete any paperwork. Southbank Centre’s foyer spaces are open to the public and therefore can be used by schools during opening hours, but visiting groups should exercise due caution and be respectful of others as you would in a park, museum or other public place. If you want to say hello or need any help while you’re here, come to the Welcome Desk, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall.
If you’re attending an event or project, booking is essential. You can do this via the event listing page.
If you’re attending an exhibition at the Hayward Gallery, please note the following information.
- Primary schools: Free, booking required.
- Secondary schools in Lambeth and Southwark: Free, booking required.
- All other secondary schools: £5 per pupil. Accompanying teachers go free.
Please note that 15 students is the maximum number that we can accommodate in one group per timed session. The £5 ticket price is also only available to groups over 10 people.
To receive the group rate, please email us with your preferred visit date and any other relevant school and pupil information at hello@southbankcentre.co.uk
If you are only visiting our site you do not need to book in advance, but please check the website for any building closures or major events. Southbank Centre’s foyer spaces are open to the public and therefore can be used by schools during opening hours, but visiting groups should exercise due caution and be respectful of others as you would in a park, museum or other public place.
We are a very busy arts centre with thousands of events each year and we can’t guarantee that there will be space available for your class, so please have an alternate plan when you visit to avoid disappointment. If you want to say hello or need any help while you’re here, come to the Welcome Desk, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall.
Please check the website and venue opening times to avoid disappointment on the day.
If you’re attending an exhibition at the Hayward Gallery, booking your visit in advance is highly advised. If you bring a group to the Hayward Gallery without an advance booking, you won’t be entitled to receive the discounted group rate below, or to free entry for local schools.
- Primary schools: Free, booking required.
- Secondary schools in Lambeth and Southwark: Free, booking required.
- All other secondary schools: £5 per pupil. Accompanying teachers go free.
Please note that 15 students is the maximum number that we can accommodate in one group per timed session. The £5 ticket price is also only available to groups over 10 people.
To receive the group rate, please email us with your preferred visit date and any other relevant school and pupil information at hello@southbankcentre.co.uk
Southbank Centre is centrally located with numerous school-friendly transport links.
If you’re attending an event or project: You will receive an email confirmation of your booking with all the essential payment and safeguarding information. Once you’ve paid and your booking is complete, you only need to bring a mobile or printed copy of your confirmation so that we can check you in upon arrival. No other tickets are required.
If you are visiting the Hayward Gallery: Once you’ve booked and paid, tickets will be left for collection at Hayward Gallery Ticket Office on the day of your visit. Please check beforehand that payment has been received.
Any time during opening hours, and without a booking, schools can:
- Visit the National Poetry Library
- Join drop-in hours at the Archive Studio
- Have a picnic
- See the London skyline from up high
If you’re attending an event or project: Capacity vary depending on the project. Please check the relevant event listing for details.
If you’re visiting the Hayward Gallery: Tickets for all visitors to Hayward Gallery are issued for timed entry in hourly slots. For group visitors, there is a maximum of 30 people for each hourly entrance time. If you intend to bring a group of more than 30 people, you may be asked to split the group to stagger entry times. Please note that this maximum group size can vary depending on the exhibition.
Email schools@southbankcentre.co.uk to find out more.
It is important that there are enough adults to supervise visits by under-16s. Adult supervision of students under 16 is required at all times, and we ask you to use the following ratios:
- 1:5 for under-5s
- 1:10 for under-11s
- 1:15 for ages 11 – 16
- 1:20 for ages 16 – 18
We reserve the right to refuse entry to our venues for safety reasons if there are not sufficient adults to supervise your group. Teachers and group leaders are responsible for students’ behaviour while on site.
You can bring your lunch and eat on site in the public foyers of Royal Festival Hall during opening hours. The Rooftop Garden is also an open green space for school groups. Opening hours are subject to change for special events; please confirm opening hours in advance of your visit.
If you’re attending an event or project, there may be a designated lunch area for your group. Email schools@southbankcentre.co.uk to find out more.
If you’re attending an event or project: Projects and events take place in various locations in Southbank Centre. Check your booking confirmation for your starting location, or stop by the Welcome Hub on Level 2 of the Royal Festival Hall building to see where you’re meant to be.
If you’re visiting the Hayward Gallery: your group leader needs to register at the Hayward Gallery Ticket Office.
If you’re not attending an event: Southbank Centre’s foyer spaces are open to the public and therefore can be used by schools during opening hours, but visiting groups should exercise due caution and be respectful of others as you would in a park, museum or other public place. If you want to say hello or need any help while you’re here, come to the Welcome Desk, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall.
Large bags, rucksacks, coats or other articles of luggage are not allowed in the gallery. A cloakroom and provisions for groups to leave such items before entering are available for booked groups.
Students are welcome to sketch in the gallery using pencils. Please help keep the gallery tidy for other visitors by taking any materials with you after your visit. Paint, charcoal, pens, crayons, and pastels are not allowed and further restrictions may be in place for certain exhibitions. Please check with the Ticket Office before you enter.
We want your group to feel free to enjoy and discuss the artworks. For the safety of the artworks, and other visitors to Hayward Gallery, please remind your groups of the following:
- Inside the gallery, please don’t run, touch, lean, shout, eat or drink.
- Please do look, listen, debate, think, and discuss and be aware of people around you.
- To avoid congestion in the shops, please ensure pupils visit in small staggered groups and are supervised at all times.
Teachers are responsible for students at all times.
If you want to say hello or need any help while you’re here, please come to the Welcome Desk, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, and our Visitor Experience team will be happy to help you.
We welcome visits from all education settings, including SEND provision, pupil referral units and home education groups.
If you’re a home education booking onto a schools specific event, we would be grateful if you could email us as schools@southbankcentre.co.uk, to ensure we give you a fulfilling experience.
Access maps and support are available on our access page here.
During your visit, should you need them, fidget toys and ear defenders are available at the Welcome Desk.
If you have specific access requirements, please email us and let us know how we can make your visit more accessible, at schools@southabankcentre.co.uk
If your question isn’t answered here, email us and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
We look forward to welcoming you to Southbank Centre soon!
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