Schools visits to the Southbank Centre
Coming to an event in our schools programme, or just stopping by?
Schools are always welcome at Southbank Centre, and we offer a variety of term-time activities for primary, secondary and SEND school pupils.
Whether you’re participating in an event or project or just popping in to picnic with your class, we’re always glad to see schools in our venues or enjoying our outdoor spaces.
All the information you need about visiting the Southbank Centre with your school, including booking for events, is here.
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Visiting the Hayward Gallery
All you need to know about attending our Hayward Gallery schools events, including Schools Takeovers, Schools Mornings, Teachers Twilights. And information on how to visit Hayward Gallery exhibitions.
Visiting the National Poetry Library
All you need to know about visiting the National Poetry Library with your school group, including poetry sessions specially designed for primary and secondary schools and how to get help planning your visit.
Booking for Southbank Centre events
If you’re planning to bring your school group to an event at the Southbank Centre, make sure you contact our ticketing team to take full advantage of group discounts.
Stop by at any time
At any time during our opening hours, and without a booking, schools are welcome to visit our buildings and spaces. You could have a picnic in our foyers, or up among the flowers in our Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden. You could stop by the National Poetry Library, or get a view of the London skyline from up high on our Royal Festival Hall, Level 5 balcony.
Our foyer spaces are open to the public and so can be used by schools when we’re open. But because we’re a very busy arts centre with thousands of events each year, we can’t always guarantee there’ll be space available for your class, so please have an alternate plan handy.
Take a look at our venue pages to check opening times and avoid any on-the-day disappointment.
School visit FAQs
Here you’ll find the answers to some commonly asked questions relating to school visits to the Southbank Centre, for FAQs relating to visits to the Hayward Gallery, including exhibitions and organised events, see our Hayward Gallery school visit page.
If you’re attending an event, project or exhibition, then 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.
If you are not attending an event, project or exhibition with us then, 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’re attending an event or project, booking is essential, please email us with your preferred visit date and any other relevant school and pupil information at [email protected]
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.
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 [email protected], 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 [email protected]
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’re attending an event or project: Capacity vary depending on the project. Please check the relevant event listing for details.
Email [email protected] 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.
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 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.
You can bring your lunch and eat on site in the public foyers of Royal Festival Hall during opening hours. The Roof 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 [email protected] to find out more.
Getting here
The Southbank Centre is centrally located, close to Waterloo station, with numerous school-friendly transport links near by.
Help whilst you’re here
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.
Further information
If you’ve a question that 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.