Millennium Dome - Free tickets for school children

Prime Minister, Tony Blair, announces one million free tickets

Greenwich, 17 March 1999

Earlier today the Prime Minister announced that one million school children will be able to visit the Dome in 2000 on education tours with free admission.   Head teachers have welcomed the initiative, saying that it will make the Dome accessible to youngsters who may not have been able to visit the Dome otherwise.

During 2000 more than 5,000 schoolchildren every school day are expected to visit the Dome, which will be the centrepiece of the UK's millennium celebrations.New Millennium Experience Company Chief Executive Jennie Page said: "The Dome will be the greatest concentration of entertainment, inspiration and education under one roof anywhere in the world. The education tours scheme will mean that at least a third of UK schools will be able to bring children to the Dome with free admission."

Tickets will be allocated to schools through a regionally-balanced draw, with details of the arrangements being notified to schools in June. The principles for the operation of the Education Tours Scheme will be as follows:

• Schools can apply for up to 100 free tickets.
• The draw will operate by English region and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure a fair geographic spread.
• Children in compulsory education, Year 4 to Year 11 or Years Primary 4 to Secondary 4 in Scotland (ages 8 to 16) will be eligible.
• Accompanying teachers will also have free admission.
• The tours will last four hours, taking in shows and exhibitions in the Dome appropriate to the age group and curriculum needs of the classes involved.
• There will be four draws and schools will be invited to enter for one draw only, nominating three preferred dates for their education tour.

The draws will take place in November 1999 (for tours in February and March 2000), February 2000 (for tours in April, May, June and July 2000 - Scottish schools will additionally be able to register for August 2000 visits), June 2000 (for tours in September, October and November 2000) and October 2000 (for tours in December 2000).   Education tours will only be available on weekdays during term time.  Schools can apply for fewer than 100 tickets if they wish.

Head teachers have welcomed the free education tours scheme and highlighted the educational value of a visit to the Dome.

Chris Archer, Head Teacher at Top Valley School, a comprehensive secondary in Nottingham, said: "This is a marvelous opportunity for children who otherwise wouldn't have been able to get the opportunity to see one of the buildings of a lifetime. It is the chance to experience a day they will tell their grandchildren about in years to come. The bonus is it's a great educational experience."

Ros Golson, Head Teacher at Walton Girls' High School in Grantham, Lincolnshire, sums up the enthusiasm for the Millennium Experience: "The girls are already excited that the whole school is going to visit the Dome. Pupils hope that they will have some of their work displayed there. We look forward to becoming involved much more, locally, regionally and nationally. Millennium projects reinforce our existing commitment to inspiring our students that learning is for life."

Through the support of NMEC Education Managers throughout the country schools are already taking part in millennium celebrations through their involvement with the National Programme.

Richmond Park School in Govan, Glasgow, is a special school for children who have a medical or physical impairment that requires regular therapeutic or nursing intervention. Maggie Pollard, Head Teacher says that her school is taking part in the Millennium Experience, not only through the allocation of free and discounted tickets but also through local and on-line involvement.

"Richmond Park School has been involved with the piloting of Tesco SchoolNet 2000 curriculum materials and recently took part in the millennium countdown at 300 days to go. The school is enthusiastic about the millennium Dome and we understand why it's being constructed on the meridian at Greenwich.

"We can also access visits through the use of new technologies, through the Internet and video conferencing. We already video conference with Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art, the Burrell Gallery and the National Museum of Science in Edinburgh, so why not with the Dome? Educational experiences should be fun - our school mantra is 'Be Happy - be a learner'. Our interaction, virtual or real with the Dome will ensure that. The Millennium Experience should be even better and with free or reduced tickets for schools we can make a visit to the Dome as our annual school trip."

NMEC also announced that schools will also be able to reserve tickets for school visits at a price of £8 per student for school children of all ages. Schools will be able to visit on a particular day by reserving paid tickets, with teachers and classroom assistants able to attend for free. These reduced tickets will also be available during school holidays and at weekends.

Schools will also be encouraged to take advantage of heavily discounted offers from train and coach operators, which may be further discounted through local arrangements involving LEAs and business sponsorship.