ABOUT THE SCHEME

The Milton Keynes Loan Collection for Schools was created using items from a number of sources.

The Museum has always loaned items to local schools. These initially included household and other articles, mainly from the Victorian and 20th century periods, selected for children to handle.

The loans collection was greatly enhanced in 1996 following the transfer of a number of themed boxes and other items previously managed by Buckinghamshire County Museum Schools Loan Service.

So there are themed boxes, individual items, audiovisual materials and textiles.

The objective of the loans scheme is to make available artefacts and materials that individual schools would otherwise find difficult to provide. 

We hope that children will enjoy learning from artefacts first hand and gain benefit from having loan collection items in their classrooms.

WHO CAN BORROW ITEMS

The scheme is open to all schools in Milton Keynes and the surrounding area, educational groups and other community organisations. We will try to help, so please contact the Museum to see if you are eligible.

JOINING THE SCHEME

There is an annual membership fee of £10 for each borrower in the Milton Keynes Authority Area that wishes to participate in the scheme. Membership for schools and eligible groups outside Milton Keynes is £15 a year.

LOAN PERIOD

Items are loaned for half a term. Please contact the Museum to arrange a mutually convenient time for collecting items. There is no delivery service.

Schools are requested to return loan material to the Museum during the last two weeks of the half term for which they are borrowed. Failure to do so may disqualify a school from further participation in the scheme.

DAMAGE OR LOSS

Schools are responsible for the items they borrow and may be asked to pay for repairs or replacement.

ORDERS/RESERVATIONS

We normally advise borrowers to contact the Museum Education Officer to book items for loan. 

However, you can also download booking forms to post, fax or email to the Museum.

Schools Loan Booking Form
(Word Format/48Kb)

Schools Loan Booking Form
(PDF Format/174Kb)

WHEN TO COLLECT OR RETURN

We advise teachers and other borrowers to make an appointment to collect or return items.

Appointments can normally be made between 9.30am and 4.15pm, Monday to Friday.