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Enforcement procedure Back to top

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Key Stage 2 Back to top

Using Sir John Soane’s collection as a starting point, our sessions for KS2 pupils explore a wide variety of subject areas linked to the Science, History, Maths and Art curricula.

We offer a menu of five sessions: ‘Rocks and Soils’, Romans and Domes’, ‘Ancient Egyptians’, ‘Light, Shadows and Reflection’ and ‘Ancient Greeks’. 

Your visit will comprise a tour of the Museum and a related activity, led by one of our specialist museum educators. We can also organise bespoke sessions depending on your requirements.

To find out more about the sessions we offer, click here.

Technical information about this website’s accessibility Back to top

Sir John Soane’s Museum is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content Back to top

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Some video does not have captions. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.2.2 (Captions (pre-recorded)).

On shop.soane.org:

Some parts of the website have poor colour contrast. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3 (Contrast (minimum)).

We hope to resolve issues with soane.org by 1 August 2021. When we publish new content we’ll make sure our new content meets accessibility standards.

Key Stage 3 and above Back to top

General Tours

We offer both in person and virtual tours of the museum for students in Key Stages 3–5, and their teachers, led by our knowledgeable museum educators. These tours can be tailored to the specific Learning needs of your class offering a springboard to investigate subject areas of your choice such as English Literature, History and Art History, Art, Architecture, Collecting, Conservation and Heritage, etc. 

Classics

Follow in the footsteps of Sir John Soane and embark on your own Grand Tour of his Museum. Explore this incredible collection of classical antiquities within a unique and inspirational setting and discover more about the ancient world. From the Cawdor Vase, Apollo Belvedere and Sarcophagus of King Seti I, to wall paintings from the Villa Negroni, architectural fragments from across the classical world and a scale cork model of Pompeii as it was excavated in the 18th century, there is a whole wealth of material culture for your learners to explore. Lead by our experienced museum educators, all sessions include an introduction to Sir John Soane, a guided tour of the Museum and a visit to our world-famous picture room, alongside plenty of opportunities for questions and plenary discussion. Classics tours can be tailored to the needs and interests of your students, subject to availability. Key topics we are able to cover in the Museum include:

• A general introduction to the ancient world, including the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians
• Mythology and the gods 
• Art, architecture and sculpture 
• Pompeii 

This session is available as both an in person visit and a virtual tour. 

For more information or to book a session, email education@soane.org.uk or call 020 7440 4253.

Preparation of this accessibility statement Back to top

This statement was prepared on 22/10/20. It was last reviewed on 7/12/20.

This website was last tested on 21/08/20. The test was carried out by the Government Digital Service (GDS).

GDS checked www.soane.org on 21 August 2020. Automated tests were used to check the accessibility of the site. The pages were tested using aXe v 4.5.3. Errors found were correlated and checked manually. A keyboard, tab through and zoom check was done. These tests were completed using a Google Chrome browser on Mac OSX with a 15 inch screen.

The damaged model Back to top

Tim Richards approached this restoration already in awe of the extraordinary detail and accuracy of Fouquet’s work and with the aim of retaining as much as possible of the original material. The model was badly broken, with some parts missing completely. It had also been damaged by damp which had caused some areas of plaster to expand and crack while other areas had rust-coloured staining around exposed metal armatures.

Group Visits Back to top

If you would like to book a group visit to the Museum, please use our online booking system. To arrange a Research Library session, in the first instance please contact Frances Sands, Curator of Drawings and Books, at fsands@soane.org.uk to discuss the feasibility and content of the your session.

Dismantling the model Back to top

The first task was to remove the model from its wooden base, unscrewing the bolts that held it in place from underneath and separating the two – perhaps for the first time since the model was made in around 1820. On then could Tim start to work on damaged, loose areas of plaster, trying to do as little damage as possible. He first inserts a scalpel carefully into an existing crack between a stable and unstable area before gently lifting and easing out the broken section – separating it along an existing fracture. As the piece is lifted clear the condition of the plaster behind it can be seen: fortunately, no more excavation is needed and it can just be carefully eased back into its original position.

Casting the missing elements Back to top

More intervention is needed to replicate and insert missing elements. The film shows the process of making new sections of fluted column using silicon rubber moulds taken from the surviving sections. Plaster is mixed with water very thoroughly (taking about ten minutes) to ensure there are no air bubbles, before being poured into the mould. The plaster is agitated with a brush once in the mould to ensure it fills every tiny groove. Once it is fully set the flexible mould can be eased apart and the new casting lifted out.