School loan box: Sensory boxes for children with SEND

Learning using real museum objects and discovering the stories they tell, should be for all children. This is why we have created a number of sensory loan boxes for children with SEND.

We would like to offer children that cannot join us for a museum visit, an alternative way to learn using our museum collections. Our selection of sensory loan boxes have been developed in collaboration with staff at Claremont School and Venturers Academy in Bristol.

Please fill in our enquiry form and we’ll be in touch shortly to discuss your loan. Please be aware that our loan boxes are usually only available for Bristol schools.  We sometimes lend them to schools in neighbouring authorities, subject to availability, so please contact us.

The following themed loan boxes are available:

Chocolate & Bristol; Romans & Bristol; Dinosaurs & fossils; Transport; At the Seaside.

Each themed Sensory Loan Box includes:

• real and replica museum objects
• sensory items to touch and investigate
• images, pictures, posters, maps or art works
• scent pots
• sound tins or instruments
• costume for dressing-up
• tactile, colourful and unusual objects
• activity ideas and mystery bags for handling
• magnifying sheets or glasses
• PEC symbols
• information on each item and the relevant time period
• museum glossary
• advice and guidelines on how to store, handle or display objects

We suggest school staff investigate the box before giving items to learners and omit anything from the box they feel is not suitable.

Each loan box can either be collected from, and returned to, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery on a pre-arranged date and time agreed with the Learning Team, or we can deliver and collect on specified dates.