Home Educators Day

Our bespoke Home Educator days are learning opportunities for non-school learners who benefit from learning outside the classroom.

What is a Home Educator day?

Our bespoke Home Educator days are created for families with non-school learners, giving them the opportunity to explore the Museum together and take part in specially-designed workshops. Our Home Educator days are accessible to visitors with special educational needs, including autism. The Museum will be closed to the public with quiet areas set aside especially for you.

What is The National Museum of Computing?

Step into the living story of computing at TNMOC, where the world's largest collection of historic computers whirs, clicks, and comes alive. Your journey begins with the groundbreaking code-breaking machines that helped win WWII, winds through the age of mainframes, and traces the revolution of personal computing that put technology in every home and pocket. From the first flickers of electronic computing to today's digital world, every machine tells a chapter in our shared technical heritage.

What to expect on the day:

During your visit, you will also have access to a variety of specially-designed STEM-focused activities, including programming, robotics and engineering. Please see the schedule below for more details. All activities are offered as drop-in sessions so learners can self-direct without the pressure of a formal schedule. . The day will include options for every age. You can learn more about the available activities below. Should you wish to attend a more structured day, we have dedicated spaces for Home Educators on our Digital Future Days programme.

The Museum will be open from 10:30am - 3:00pm, with workshops starting at 11am.

What people say about our Home Educator Days:

“My sons had a super time, the interactive activities were great and kept them both engaged. Your team were most helpful and great with the children."

"Book it and Go... even 'Miss 13' was engaged!"

"They obviously loved the gaming areas [...] The staff in the BBC area were lovely. In fact, the tips about getting children coding have already been implemented and they have been using the site that was recommended. My husband wants to come next time!"

"It was very relaxed and all the staff and volunteers were so helpful! Really suited our children's way to learn and engage with people."

"My seven-year-old and my friend's two boys had a wonderful time and I really appreciated the opportunity for them to enjoy something they would otherwise find quite challenging."

What's on?

Self-Guided Museum Explorations:

Our trails hub starts in the Pop-Up Gallery, where you can loan an ipad. This will give you all the important information about the self-guided explorations available at TNMOC. If you’re struggling or need pointers, our experts will be on hand to help! Some trails are digital (please bring your own device, as limited iPads are available), and some are paper-based.

Museum Trail:

• Codename: Cipher [Enigma & The Bombe] - The year is 1940 and you have been invited to Bletchley Park to assist in the war effort. Your first assignment is to catch the undercover spy operating out of the UK known only as Codename Cipher.

Drop-In Workshops:

• Sphero BOLTs (BBC Classroom) - Explore the digital realm by guiding your robots through the physical world, fostering hands-on learning of coding. Develop problem-solving skills as you direct your robot through progressively intricate instructions. Unleash your imagination and enjoy the playful process of programming with Sphero.

• Freeform MTA Creation (Meeting Room) - In this activity, students will use the MTA Kit to design and build innovative engineering solutions, applying critical thinking and hands-on experimentation to real-world challenges. Through guided tasks and open-ended projects, learners will explore engineering concepts like mechanics, automation, and structural design. The MTA Kit empowers students to construct, test, and refine their creations, allowing them to see theory come to life.

https://www.iasme.co.uk(Hub) 11:00am - 3:00pm

“IASME Community will be present at the Home Educators Day hosting a stand which will have various cyber-related activities & information for the children & teens, as well as resources for the accompanying adults.”

Accessibility

https://www.tnmoc.org/accessibility

We want every young learner to feel comfortable and supported during their visit. We have a dedicated quiet room, within our library, to provide a calm, peaceful space for anyone who needs a break from activities. This sensory-friendly environment is available throughout the day and includes comfortable seating, soft lighting, and fidget toys.

For easier navigation and comfort during your visit:

• Our single-story building has full wheelchair access with ramps throughout
• Ear defenders can be borrowed from our reception desk
• Seating areas are available throughout the Museum
• Assistance dogs are welcome, with water bowls available upon request
• Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are located near the shop

• Free parking, including accessible bays, right outside our entrance

To help prepare for your visit:

• Download our visual story guide to familiarise yourself with the Museum
• Try our TNMoC Mate virtual guide app for self-guided exploration
• For any queries or further information please contact education@tnmoc.org.
• Learner Instructions (age 6-11 years) - OnsiteLearner Instructions (age 11+ years) - Onsite G2.pdf
• Learner Instructions (age 11+ years) - Onsite G2.pdf

For any queries or further information please contact education@tnmoc.org.

Please be advised:

On Monday 12th January, work will begin on our new accessibility ramps at the front entrance of the Museum. We expect the noisiest work to be completed by Wednesday 14th, as this will be ‘Day 3’ of the four day ramp project. The Front Entrance will be barriered-off for your safety. Access to the building is made the door by the Library and Meeting Room (marked with red arrow on plan below). There will also be signs in the museum car park to direct you.

Accessibility

We want every young learner to feel comfortable and supported during their visit. We have a dedicated quiet room that provides a calm, peaceful space for anyone who needs a break from activities. This sensory-friendly environment is available throughout the day and includes comfortable seating, soft lighting, and fidget toys.

For easier navigation and comfort during your visit:

• Our single-story building has full wheelchair access with ramps throughout
• Ear defenders can be borrowed from our reception desk
• Seating areas are available throughout the Museum
• Assistance dogs are welcome, with water bowls available upon request
• Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are located near the shop
• Free parking, including accessible bays, right outside our entrance

To help prepare for your visit:

• Download our visual story guide to familiarise yourself with the Museum
• Try our TNMoC Mate virtual guide app for self-guided exploration

For any queries or further information please contact education@tnmoc.org.