School Trips at Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth
Looking for an invaluable trip for your school that ties directly to what your class is studying in the classroom? Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth runs curriculum-linked educational visits for schools across Hampshire, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight covering EYFS through to KS4.
Pupils will be taken on an exciting journey through marine habitats over 40 displays; from the British coastline to tropical oceans, students will get the chance to meet a variety of fascinating creatures including sharks, seahorses, giant gourami and an octopus. Everything is indoors, so the trip runs whatever the weather does with the option of our beach club splash park during the summer months for outdoor play.
Call 02392 875222 to check availability.
Why Choose Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth for School Trips?
Curriculum-Focused Educational Experiences
Our school visits support a wide range of learning objectives and provide teachers with flexible options to tailor the day to their class needs.
- Over 40 living marine displays featuring rays, eels, seahorses, and tropical fish
- Interactive learning opportunities aligned with curriculum topics
- Educational talks delivered by experienced aquarium educators
- Private presentation rooms for focused learning sessions
- All-weather attraction ideal for year-round school visits
Teachers can also arrange:
- Pre-familiarisation visits to help plan your school trip
Free Educational Workshops
Educational Workshop Included for groups of 30+ students*
School visits with 30+ students includes a 25-minute educational workshop delivered in a dedicated private room.
Choose from 4 topics
Sharks and Rays
Explore the unique characteristics of elasmobranchs and learn why these fascinating species are vital to marine ecosystems. Recommended for KS1, KS2 and KS4
Camouflage in the Ocean
Discover how marine animals use incredible camouflage techniques to hunt and survive. Recommended for KS1 to KS4
Eco Awareness
Understand environmental challenges affecting oceans and explore simple actions that help protect marine life. Recommended for KS3 to KS4
Habitats & Adaptations
Learn how British seashore species have evolved to thrive in their environments. Recommended for KS1 to KS4, and covers the widest range of curriculum objectives.
Please let us know at the time of booking if there are any certain topics that your class are focusing on and we can discuss adapting our workshops to better suit what they are currently learning.
Curriculum links by key stage
Our workshops support the National Curriculum programmes of study for science. The tables below show which workshop covers which objective, so you can pick the session that fits what you’re already teaching.
Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2)
| Curriculum objective | Recommended workshops |
|---|---|
| Naming common animals, including fish | Habitats & Adaptations, Sharks & Rays |
| Carnivores, herbivores and omnivores | Habitats & Adaptations, Sharks & Rays |
| Comparing the body structure of different animals | Habitats & Adaptations, Sharks & Rays |
| What a habitat is and how it meets an animal’s basic needs | Habitats & Adaptations |
| Comparing the seashore and the ocean with more familiar habitats | Habitats & Adaptations |
| Naming plants and animals found in a habitat | Habitats & Adaptations |
| Simple food chains | Habitats & Adaptations |
Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6)
| Curriculum objective | Recommended workshops |
|---|---|
| Grouping living things in different ways | Habitats & Adaptations, Sharks & Rays |
| Using a classification key | Habitats & Adaptations |
| Classifying animals by observable characteristics | Habitats & Adaptations |
| Vertebrates and invertebrates | Habitats & Adaptations |
| How environments change, and the danger that poses to living things | Habitats & Adaptations, Sharks & Rays |
| Food chains — producer, predator, prey | Habitats & Adaptations, Camouflage in the Ocean |
| Teeth and their functions; comparing carnivores and herbivores | Sharks & Rays, Habitats & Adaptations |
| How marine animals reproduce | Sharks & Rays, Habitats & Adaptations |
| Comparing life cycles with animals found in the oceans | Sharks & Rays, Habitats & Adaptations |
| How animals are adapted to suit their environment | Sharks & Rays, Habitats & Adaptations, Camouflage in the Ocean |
| Adaptation leading to evolution | Sharks & Rays, Habitats & Adaptations, Camouflage in the Ocean |
| Gills vs lungs as an adaptation | Sharks & Rays, Habitats & Adaptations |
| Offspring vary from their parents | Sharks & Rays, Habitats & Adaptations |
Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)
| Curriculum objective | Recommended workshops |
|---|---|
| Interdependence in an ecosystem, including food webs | Habitats & Adaptations, Camouflage in the Ocean, Eco Awareness |
| How organisms affect and are affected by their environment | Habitats & Adaptations, Camouflage in the Ocean, Eco Awareness |
| Toxic materials accumulating along a food chain | Habitats & Adaptations, Eco Awareness |
| Variation between species and within a species | Habitats & Adaptations, Camouflage in the Ocean |
| Variation driving natural selection | Habitats & Adaptations |
| Environmental change leading to extinction | Eco Awareness, Habitats & Adaptations, Camouflage in the Ocean |
| Why biodiversity matters | Habitats & Adaptations |
Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11)
| Curriculum objective | Recommended workshops |
|---|---|
| Levels of organisation within an ecosystem | Habitats & Adaptations |
| Abiotic and biotic factors affecting communities | All four workshops — Eco Awareness in most depth |
| Interdependence and adaptation | Habitats & Adaptations, Camouflage in the Ocean |
| The importance of biodiversity | Habitats & Adaptations, Camouflage in the Ocean |
| Positive and negative human interactions with ecosystems | Eco Awareness, Habitats & Adaptations, Sharks & Rays |
Marine Conservation Education for Schools
Marine conservation is at the heart of every visit. Pupils will learn:
- The importance of protecting ocean habitats
- Human impact on marine ecosystems
- Practical ways individuals can support conservation efforts
Our educational approach encourages curiosity, environmental awareness, and a lasting connection to marine life.
School Trip Prices & Payment Information
Discounted Education Group Rates
Available for school groups with 15 or more paying visitors.
- Education Group Child – Peak Season (May to August): £8.00
- Education Group Child – Off Peak (September to April): £7.50
- Education Group Adult: £14.64
- Educational Workshop: £50 per session
Free Adult Ratios
For educational bookings we offer free adult tickets per the below ratios for a group.
| Age Group | Free Adult Ratios |
|---|---|
| Nursery | 1 free adult to every 4 children |
| Primary | 1 adult free for every 6 children (Early years (EYFS) and Reception) 1 adult free for every 6 children (Year 1 – Year 3) 1 adult free for every 15 children (Year 4 – Year 6) |
| Secondary | 1 adult free for every 20 children |
FAQ’s
Your itinerary is agreed with you at the time of booking. It sets out arrival time, workshop time, lunch (if applicable), time in the shop and a departure time, so you’ll know exactly how the day runs before you travel. Please stick to the agreed timings on the day.
There is a large bus stop directly outside the aquarium entrance which can be used for dropping off. Limited coach parking is available in the D-Day Museum car park to the east of the aquarium, and there is on-street parking suitable for cars and small minibuses. All parking in the area is operated by Portsmouth City Council and is not affiliated with Blue Reef Aquarium, so please follow the pay-and-display instructions.
Between September and April an indoor lunch room may be available, but it must be reserved at the time of booking. Between May and July there is no indoor lunch space, so please make alternative arrangements. Groups using the lunch room are asked to leave it clean and tidy; bin bags and sanitiser spray are provided.
Yes. We offer a free visit for one teacher to carry out your own group risk assessment before the visit date, so you can walk the route and see the workshop space. Ask when you book.
School bags and coats can be stored in the crates provided in our entrance area. Staff are unable to handle personal belongings, and all items are left at the owner’s risk.
Blue Reef Aquarium is fully accessible for wheelchair users and visitors with walking difficulties throughout the site. If your group has additional access requirements, tell us when you book so we can plan for them.
*Terms & Conditions
Please ensure the Risk assessment is returned to us within 7 days of your visit, or your visit may be affected
All bookings must be made over the phone and in advance. School bookings are for 15 or more children as a minimum, with no upper limit.
School bookings with 30 or more children as a minimum, include a 25 minute workshop. Additional workshops can be purchased at the educational workshop rate.
All schools must pay the full balance of the visit either before the date of the visit or on arrival at Blue Reef Aquarium. School cheques, cash, and debit/credit cards are accepted (with the exception of American Express). A receipt will be provided on the day. We cannot accept payment via BACS.
Bookings are taken on a first come, first served basis, and we strongly advise you to book early for peak periods (during May, June, and July).
Blue Reef Aquarium is not responsible for personal items damaged or lost within the attraction or surrounding ground, other than in circumstances covered by our Public Liability Insurance. All groups are advised to take out their own personal insurance for out-of-school visits and activities.
Blue Reef Aquarium would like to remind all visitors that for operational or other circumstances, certain exhibits, attractions, or facilities may be unavailable at any time.
Blue Reef Aquarium reserves the right to ask any individual or party to leave the premises if they are causing disruption or acting in a way that offends or disturbs other visitors. No monies will be refundable in this event.
Planning Your Educational Visit
We understand that organising school trips requires careful planning. Our team provides full support to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for teachers and pupils alike.
Contact us to discuss your requirements or customise your educational visit:
02392 875222
Email our team to start planning your school trip today: portsmouth@bluereefaquarium.co.uk
