book your school visit

Teacher/Pupil ratios

Derbyshire Local Authority, in line with most LAs, no longer provides specific teacher/pupil ratios; suggesting instead that schools consider their pupils' needs, confidence and safety and recommend that all situations are judged with a common sense approach. There are suggested ratios and we suggest that visiting schools use these as a starting point, bringing additional adults if their circumstances require, at their own cost.

Essential carers (e.g. T.A.s with responsibility for a child with specific additional needs) remain, as before, welcome and are given free entry.

Suggested ratios:
• Early Years and KS1 (5-7yrs)   1:6

• KS2 (8-11) KS3 (11-14) & KS4  (14-16) and post-16 1:10

Risk assessments

  • General risk assessment
  • Farmyard risk assessment

    • Teachers' resources

  • Garden map
  • Garden notes for teachers

    • Plan your visit

    Here you can find all you need to plan every aspect of your visit, from risk assessments, key information and even teachers' notes. If you would like to discuss any other requirements, please contact the bookings team on 01246 565430.

    Essential planning information

    Information for group leaders

    Our education team is here to help make sure that you have a happy and successful visit.

    1. Enquiries and booking
    All school group visits are subject to availability and must be pre-booked. Please call the bookings office on 01246 565300 to discuss requirements and check availability or complete and return the online booking form.

    2. Schools Program
    Programs of curriculum linked activities are available for all key stages. They are led by our experienced guides. Please look at the activities page of the schools site for more information about our tours. We can tailor tours to suit particular curriculum requirements. Please contact the bookings team or our education officer on 01246 565300 to discuss your needs.

    3. Self guided learning
    Check our website for new and exciting learning resources available to download before your visit. On the day there will always be Chatsworth staff who are available to help you. Please note that for your group to get the most benefit during their visit to the house it is better to split larger groups and stagger their entry. Please contact the booking office if you have any questions.

    4. Timing your day
    We recommend you allow a full day to explore Chatsworth, giving you enough time to visit the house, garden and farmyard. The bookings team will discuss the timing of your visit to suit your requirements and meet availability. For guided tours we recommend you arrive at Chatsworth 15 minutes before the start time of your tour to allow you to disembark, collect your tickets and arrive at your destination.

    5. Payment
    On arrival coaches will be met by a member of our visitor welcome team, who will arrange tickets and payment for your group. Invoicing after your visit can be arranged by prior agreement with the booking office. Invoices must be paid within 28 days of your visit.

    6. Access
    Chatsworth has always prided itself on the welcome we offer all visitors. We are able to offer full access to the main visitor route in the house for visitors using wheelchairs, via a lift and access arrangements. Please discuss your access requirements with the bookings team, as
    the number of wheelchairs in use on the top floor of this historic building has to be monitored, for your safety and enjoyment. There is good access to the garden, farmyard, shops and restaurants. For further information please check our accessibility page of the website.

    7. Health and safety
    Group leaders are responsible for first aid and safe behaviour of their group whilst on site. Each group should bring a first aid kit and have an identified person who is responsible for group safety and first aid. Chatsworth has a fully qualified on site first aid team based near the lodge. They are contactable by all staff in case of emergency. Many staff on site have radios to allow a quick response.

    8. Free pre-visits and risk assessments
    Group leaders are encouraged to take advantage of a free pre-visit to the house, garden, farmyard or park prior to their group visit, to get to know the site and conduct a site risk assessment. Please book your visit through the bookings office. Generic risk assessments are available on the 'planning your visit' section of the schools website.

    9. Bags
    Visitors are allowed to take small bags into the house. We recommend that larger bags and lunchboxes are left on the bus or with a guide at the entrance to the house. (Subject to space availability). Bags are left at the customers own risk.

    10. Lavatories
    There are lavatories near the house entrance and exit, at the garden and farmyard entrances and at the entrance to the stable courtyard. There are no lavatories inside the house or deeper inside the garden.

    11. Lunch
    You are welcome to picnic in the garden (subject to the garden admission charges), and in the freely accessible 1000 acre park. The farmyard has a picnic room available on a first come first served basis (subject to farmyard admission charges). There are food to go outlets in the garden, farmyard and house entrance that sell a selection of hot and cold snacks from around £2.00 - £4.00

    12. Shopping
    Gift shops in the house, garden and farmyard welcome school pupils and sell a variety of pocket money items from £2.00 to £5.00.

    13. Photography
    Photography is welcome throughout Chatsworth, including inside the house. Please note that the flash facility on some cameras may be unable to light rooms sufficiently. Photographs taken are purely for education purposes (project work) and not for reproduction. Permission must be sought for license to use photographs for anything more than school work. Please contact the bookings office for advice. If you would like to share some of your post visit work with us, the education team would be delighted to hear from you.

    14. Coaches and minibuses
    Parking is free for pre-booked coaches and minibuses. Coach drivers are provided with a generous refreshments voucher and access to a rest room with television and newspapers. Coach drivers are welcome to stay in the house and garden free of charge.