Primary schools: Online practical workshops
Practical sessions led by artists over Zoom
EYFS and Key Stages 1 and 2
There is a maximum of 4 workshops per school within an academic year, so you can request a booking for up to 4 classes.
- School contact details
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of date for your session
- Finance contact details. Although our sessions are free for UK schools, late cancellations and no-shows may incur a charge
- Teacher contact details. This should be a teacher who will be in the classroom with each group.
- Group sizes are 10-30 students per session.
- You can book more than one group in a single booking request, please use the ‘Add another group’ option. Groups can differ by key stage, theme, date and time of their session.
- There is a maximum of 4 workshops per school within an academic year.
Please let us know 21 days prior to your session if you need to cancel. Cancellations made with less than 21 days’ notice and no-shows will incur a charge for UK schools and are non-refundable for overseas groups.
Some of our themes can be adapted for SEND groups. Please contact us at schoolbookings@nationalgallery.org.uk for more information about how we can meet your group’s needs. We recommend a maximum group size of 10.
EYFS to KS1
Make a story
1 hour
Suitable for: EYFS, KS1
Journey across the sea with the Queen of Sheba and help create a whole new set of adventures. Where is she going? What should she take with her? What might happen along the way?
Through careful looking and exploration, this storytelling workshop will allow students to help shape the narrative and create simple props to use in a final retelling of the story.
Materials needed: A4 paper, coloured pens or felt-tips, scissors, tape and imagination.
This workshop can only be delivered on Wednesdays and Thursdays, depending on availability.
Through careful looking and exploration, this storytelling workshop will allow students to help shape the narrative and create simple props to use in a final retelling of the story.
Materials needed: A4 paper, coloured pens or felt-tips, scissors, tape and imagination.
This workshop can only be delivered on Wednesdays and Thursdays, depending on availability.
Sculpting stories
1.5 hours
Suitable for: EYFS, KS1
First, a storyteller will take pupils for a virtual walk through a specially chosen landscape painting through storytelling.
Then, pupils respond by making their own sculptures, developing communication, creativity and dexterity.
Materials needed: air-drying modelling clay, cheese wire, cartridge paper, paintbrushes, pots of water, table covers or aprons.
This workshop can only be delivered on Wednesdays and Thursdays, depending on availability.
Then, pupils respond by making their own sculptures, developing communication, creativity and dexterity.
Materials needed: air-drying modelling clay, cheese wire, cartridge paper, paintbrushes, pots of water, table covers or aprons.
This workshop can only be delivered on Wednesdays and Thursdays, depending on availability.
The Lazy Sunflower!
1 hour
Suitable for: EYFS, KS1
Let's travel to France, where an artist is busy painting some vibrant sunflowers for his friend, but one of the sunflowers keeps going to sleep! What can we do, and what does the sunflower need to help it stay as awake as the rest?
Through careful looking and exploration, this storytelling workshop will allow students to help shape the narrative and create simple props to use in a final retelling of the story.
Materials needed: A4 paper, yellow/orange paper (preferably tissue), coloured pens or pencils, scissors, glue and imagination.
Through careful looking and exploration, this storytelling workshop will allow students to help shape the narrative and create simple props to use in a final retelling of the story.
Materials needed: A4 paper, yellow/orange paper (preferably tissue), coloured pens or pencils, scissors, glue and imagination.
KS1-2
Colour and light
1.5 hours
Suitable for: KS1, KS2
See paintings in a new light by learning how artists make and use colour.
Materials needed: ready-mixed paint, drawing paper, paintbrushes.
Materials needed: ready-mixed paint, drawing paper, paintbrushes.
Messengers
1 hour
Suitable for: KS2
Explore colour, light and shape.
Students will be introduced to Bridget Riley's wall painting, Messengers, and connected works, experimenting with different ways of looking, drawing and using colour.
The session could be a good starting point for projects back in the classroom.
Materials needed: drawing paper, drawing pencils, coloured pencils, collage paper, scissors, glue stick.
Students will be introduced to Bridget Riley's wall painting, Messengers, and connected works, experimenting with different ways of looking, drawing and using colour.
The session could be a good starting point for projects back in the classroom.
Materials needed: drawing paper, drawing pencils, coloured pencils, collage paper, scissors, glue stick.
Van Gogh’s Yellow House
1 hour
Suitable for: KS2, KS3
Explore mark-making, pattern and 3D design
In 1888 Van Gogh moved into the ‘Yellow House’ in the South of France and began documenting the surrounding area and creating paintings to hang on the wall of his new home.
This practical session will begin by students visually exploring some of the works Van Gogh created and making observational sketches. Then, students will experiment with cutting and folding to construct their own artist’s house.
The session is an ideal starting point for further projects back in the classroom.
Materials needed: A3 drawing paper, coloured pencils, oil pastels, scissors, masking tape.
In 1888 Van Gogh moved into the ‘Yellow House’ in the South of France and began documenting the surrounding area and creating paintings to hang on the wall of his new home.
This practical session will begin by students visually exploring some of the works Van Gogh created and making observational sketches. Then, students will experiment with cutting and folding to construct their own artist’s house.
The session is an ideal starting point for further projects back in the classroom.
Materials needed: A3 drawing paper, coloured pencils, oil pastels, scissors, masking tape.
What can paintings tell us about drawing?
1.5 hours
Suitable for: KS1, KS2
Students learn to see the drawing behind the painting using traditional tools and techniques to develop an understanding of line, tone and perspective.
Materials needed: drawing paper, drawing pencils, coloured pencils or crayons.
Materials needed: drawing paper, drawing pencils, coloured pencils or crayons.