Guidance for teachers and group leaders

We regularly welcome school-aged children of all ages to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, including visits from local primary and secondary schools, home education groups, holiday clubs and childminders and those visiting us from farther afield including international schools and language schools.
 
We can offer bespoke guided tours of the historic church building with our Children, Families and Schools Chaplain. These can be combined with tower tours (for children aged eight and over), as well as workshops in our beautiful Old Library space.
 
Workshop themes include:
  • Sacred Places: Symbols, Art and Stories at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin
  • Important Events: festivals, rituals and rites of passage at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin
  • Almost a thousand years: church history detectives at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin
Workshops can be focused on RE, history, art or language/literacy and are catered to the age, needs and curriculum requirements of your party including the Oxfordshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2023-28; ODBE Schools guidelines and GCSE and ICGSE curriculums.
 
Visits are particularly encouraged on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but can also be booked for other times.

How do I book?

Please contact our Children, Families and Schools Chaplain on sorrel.shamel-wood@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk to discuss your requirements. 

It is easy to get to you?

We are easily accessible via public transport. The University Church is situated a 5-minute walk away from bus stops on High Street and St Aldate’s and a 10-15-minute walk away from Gloucester Green central bus station.

Please note that there are no parking facilities for coaches nearby. More information can be found here.