Ensure you have the group register and emergency contact numbers for all leaders and students
Make sure you have the tickets you need to enter with your group
Wear the official group T-shirt or hoodie for easy identification
Charge your phone fully and bring a power bank
Review the risk assessment for the day’s route and activities
Remind students to bring a raincoat or umbrella in case of light rain
Take group photos at key locations and share them with the programme WhatsApp group
Welcome to the Ashmolean Museum. This is one of the most historic museums in Britain. It first opened in 1683, which makes it the oldest public museum in the country and the first university museum in the world.
It began with a man called Elias Ashmole, who donated his collection to the University of Oxford because he believed that learning about nature and human history should be open to everyone.
Inside, the museum brings together objects from thousands of years of history and from cultures all over the world. You’ll see Egyptian mummies, Greek and Roman statues, Chinese and Japanese art, Islamic objects, and even modern pieces.
Some famous items you might recognise are the Alfred Jewel, the Guy Fawkes Lantern, and Powhatan’s Mantle from North America.
The Ashmolean has been a place for learning for more than 300 years. When it first opened, it let scholars and curious visitors study rare and unusual objects from different cultures. Today, the collection has grown to include important art, archaeological finds, and scientific instruments.
The museum still follows its original idea: that understanding humanity — how people lived, created, and made sense of the world — is important for everyone.
As you explore, look at how people in different cultures solved problems, made beautiful things, and expressed their ideas. Each gallery tells a different story — about rulers, artists, travellers, and everyday life. You’ll see how objects can reveal the beliefs and experiences of the people who made them.
"You’ll have time to walk around the galleries at your own pace. Stay in small groups, keep your voices low, and remember not to touch the objects. If you have questions about anything, ask one of us or a museum guide."
Where: Anglo-Saxon gallery (Gallery 41).
This object was made over 1,000 years ago during the reign of King Alfred. It’s a pointer for reading religious texts—students might imagine it as an early version of a bookmark. What makes it remarkable is the craftsmanship: the gold filigree, the rock crystal, and the inscription ‘Alfred ordered me to be made.’ It gives us a rare glimpse into literacy, art, and royal culture in early medieval England.
Quick prompt for engagement:
Why do you think King Alfred wanted his name on it?
Where: Ancient Egypt galleries (Lower Ground).
Mummification wasn’t just about preserving a body; it was part of a belief system about the afterlife. The Ashmolean’s mummies were donated in the 1800s, and the museum now interprets them with more context about the people they once were. The decorated coffins show clues about their identities—status, beliefs, and the artistry of the workshop that made them.
Quick prompt for engagement:
Look at the coffin decoration. What symbols or colours stand out to you, and why might they have mattered?
Where: Eastern Art galleries (Japan).
This suit of armour wasn’t only for battle; it signalled rank, family identity, and cultural values. Samurai armour often used lacquer, iron, silk cords and sometimes even leather from unusual sources. The design could be intimidating on purpose, especially the masks. When Japan modernised during the 19th century, armour like this became symbolic rather than practical.
Quick prompt for engagement:
If you had to design armour to show your identity, what elements would you include?
0:00 – Meet at Ruskin College for a welcome and safety briefing by Activity Leaders.
0:05 – Depart Ruskin College and travel by public transport to the Ashmolean Museum.
0:30 – Arrive at the Ashmolean Museum.
0:35 – The group gathers outside the main entrance. Activity Leader gives an introduction to the museum’s history and what to expect during the visit.
0:40 – Begin the self-guided tour of the Ashmolean Museum.
1:40 – Regroup in a central gallery or the museum’s rooftop terrace for a wrap-up. Activity Leaders answer questions, collect feedback, and take a group photo.
1:45 – Prepare for departure; students gather belongings and use restrooms if needed.
1:50 – Leave the Ashmolean Museum and begin the return journey by public transport.
2:15 – Arrive back at Ruskin College.