Home education

A visit to Centre of the Cell is an ideal way to add some real-world context to biology and STEM subjects for home-educated students and to spark a lifelong interest in health sciences.

Planning your visit

Prebooking is essential, Centre of the Cell is based within a working research institute at Queen Mary University of London, so visitors must book tickets in order to visit one of our fantastic activities.

We welcome people of all ages. Children aged under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult (aged 16+) and there must be adequate supervision for the group size attending.  Please ask us if in doubt of the ratio of children to adults.

Arrival

When arriving please aim to check in at Reception at least five minutes before the start time listed on your booking.  This allows us to keep to time and ensure there is no delay to your experience.  If you are running late, please do let us know (020 7882 2562) Arriving late might affect the duration of your booked activity, if you are more than 30 minutes late it may not be possible to run your activity.

For groups, please provide a register to staff on arrival so that we can ensure everyone is safe in the event of an emergency.

Access

We want to ensure you get the best from your visit.  We have a range or resources available to make your time with us as comfortable as possible.  We have access guidance available on each activity page, should you have questions or concerns, or if there is something that would enable your visit or improve your experience please do Get in Touch, we will endeavour to accommodate.

We have flat level access to all our spaces. Please note that pushchairs cannot be accommodated in STEM Pod.

Please note that human organs are on display during the exhibition, and that the exhibition contains bright lights that flash at low frequency.

Further Access information can be found here

Facilities

Shop

A perfect end to your time with us, browse our fun gifts and toys to take away something to remember your day.

Our gift shop has something for all budgets and tastes, buy a memento and continue your science journey with some of our science themed items or lab kits.

Lunch

If you have booked more than one activity, the group may be able to have lunch in Neuron Pod, however this should be arranged with our bookings team prior to your visit (info@centreofthecell.org).

Please note that food and drink are not permitted in STEM Pod, and chewing gum is not permitted anywhere within the building.

Toilets are available at reception, down the corridor to the left of the reception desk.  Please ensure that students using the toilets are accompanied by an adult, and that those remaining in reception are also supervised.

Safety

Risk assessments and health & safety

Group leaders are welcome to visit the building prior to a group visit in order complete a risk assessment. To organise this, please Get in Touch to arrange a suitable time.

We also offer the following information to assist you to create a risk assessment.

Please note that human organs are on display during the STEM Pod Experience, and that the STEM Pod Experience contains bright lights that flash at low frequency.

Supervision/behaviour

• All groups will be accompanied by two Centre of the Cell staff, who are fully briefed in emergency procedures.
• Visitors between the ages of 12 and 16 should be accompanied by one responsible adult for every fifteen children.
• Visitors between the ages 8 and of 12 should be accompanied by one responsible adult for every ten children.
• Visitors under the age of 8 should be accompanied by one responsible adult for every 5 children.
• Accompanying adults are responsible at all times for the behaviour of the minors they accompany to ensure their Health and Safety.
• If the behaviour of anyone in your group disrupts the visit for others or puts themselves or others at risk this person may be asked to leave. Please discuss with your group about appropriate behaviour before your visit.

In the event of an emergency

Whilst we don’t foresee any issues during your visit, we’re prepared in case the unexpected happens, you are in safe hands.

First aid

• Trained first aiders are on-call during all visits.
• Centre of the Cell is near to our local Accident & Emergency Department situated at The Royal London Hospital, less than five minutes’ walk.
• Staff are trained in all Health & Safety procedures and incidents are reported, recorded and reviewed to ensure safe working practices.

Fire evacuation

Centre of the Cell staff are trained in our evacuation procedures; should it be necessary to evacuate please follow their instructions promptly and calmly leaving the premises to the appropriate evacuation point where we will take a register to ensure all are safe and accounted for.

Safeguarding

• All Centre of the Cell delivery staff are enhanced DBS checked.
• Centre of the Cell’s Safeguarding policy is regularly reviewed and is available on request.

If you are concerned for a child or vulnerable person visiting us, please raise this with a member of staff.

Valuables

All coats and bags will be deposited in the cloakroom for the duration of the visit and may be collected prior to entry to the shop at the end.  The cloakroom will be locked, but please ask your students not to bring unnecessary valuables. We cannot take responsibility for any loss or damage that occur during the visit, items are left at your own risk.