Milestones is a large modern building which houses the museum as well as public service areas and staff offices. The museum displays a range of social history, transport and technology collections from Hampshire’s Victorian and 1930s past. Visitors can walk through recreated streets from the past and visit a variety of buildings which house either period interiors or a modern gallery space.
All materials used to create our scenes are real e.g. bricks and stone. The Victorian part of the museum has a predominantly cobbled floor with tramlines. The 1930s area is flat though some areas of the flooring are textured. Both areas have pavements with drop kerbs.
Please read your Teacher Pack carefully and ensure that you note and share with your group the key safety information either before you arrive or immediately after arrival at the museum. We have first aiders on site. Please report any incidents, however minor, to a member of staff. Mobile phones may not work well in all areas of the building but there is access to landlines in case of emergency.
Milestones’ staff should be easily identifiable – most carry radios and wear period costume. There are also Costumed Interpreters on the museum arena.
Risk assessment guidance
Schools are required to complete their own risk assessments which take into account any specific needs that the group they are bringing may have.
All Milestones’ activities and resources are risk assessed in accordance with Hampshire Cultural Trust policy. Milestones is a Hampshire Cultural Trust facility and therefore operates within Hampshire Cultural Trust's rigorous Health and Safety policy.
Please see our basic guidance below to help you complete your risk assessment for your visit to Milestones on the other tabs on this page. We suggest you take the opportunity to make your own familiarisation visit in order to complete your risk assessment.
Milestones Museum holds the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge accreditation.
What is the LOtC Quality Badge?
If an organisation is displaying the LOtC Quality Badge, schools can be assured that their venue has met required standards, so teachers do not need to carry out their own risk or quality assessments regarding the activities provided.
In addition, applicants must be offering genuinely beneficial services to schools, to support their delivery of the curriculum.
The LOtC Quality Badge is the nationally recognised indicator of good quality educational provision. It provides for the first time a national award combining the essential elements of provision - learning and safety - into ONE easily recognisable and trusted accreditation scheme for ALL types of learning outside the classroom provider throughout the UK. This includes museums, art galleries, adventure centres, nature reserves, science learning centres and farms among many other provider types. The scheme is managed and developed by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.
What are the benefits of the LOtC Quality Badge for children and schools?
The LOtC Quality Badge means that Milestones Museum has passed a robust assessment designed to ensure that we are meeting schools' learning and risk management needs. On the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom’s website you will find an information document here outlining what you can expect when using a LOtC Quality Badge accredited provider, and the benefits of doing so.
General visit
Hazard identified |
1. Risk of traffic accident in car park when entering Milestones |
2. Risk of tripping/falling over when travelling downstairs |
3. Risk of falling over on uneven cobbled streets or kerb stones |
4. Safeguarding Issues |
5. Fire alarm |
What we do about it |
1. Car park
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2. Stairs
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3. Uneven 'street' surfaces
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4. Safeguarding
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5. Fire
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Facilitated sessions
Specific risks for World War Two, Toys and Games, Transport and Travel, Homes and Discovery, Victorians and LEGO (R) Mindstorms (TM):
Hazard identified |
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World War Two programme: Anderson Shelter: Risk of bumping head or accident inside as it is darker inside than out |
World War Two programme: risk of transmission of infection from use of replica gas masks by different children |
LEGO (R) Mindstorms (TM) programme: use of electronic equipment:
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What we do about it |
All programmes
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World War Two
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LEGO Mindstorms
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