York Castle Museum

Workshop Programme

Select from Primary School Workshops or Secondary School Workshops to skip to the area you are interested in. Our education workshops take place in the galleries and our learning room, The Studio.

Primary School Workshops

Each workshop is for a maximum of 35 pupils, unless otherwise stated.  Click here for National Curriculum links for each workshop.

Prices

2009/2010
£2 per pupil

2010/2011
1 hour workshop - £60
1 hour 30 minutes workshop - £70
2 hour workshop - £80
All day workshop - £120

Ceramics

Hands-on Ceramics, KS2
1 hour 30 minutes

This session uses pots from our collection to explore different construction and decoration techniques. Pupils tour the latest exhibition in our Gallery of Pots, then get hands-on with clay, making a pinch pot.

In addressing how ceramics are used to create both utilitarian and art objects, this session supports learning about the diverse roles of the arts within the cultures of their locality and the wider world.

Portraits

Face to Face, KS1 and KS2
available from September 2010, 1 hour 30 minutes

This session allows pupils to appreciate how artists depict people; learning about pose and expression. They also consider how the setting, costume and objects add to the meaning of the art work. In a series of practical art activities, using a range of materials, they draw themselves and paint one of their classmates.

Heads and Tales, KS1
available until July 2010, 1 hour 30 minutes

Pupils investigate our portraits, considering the ‘head’ of the sitter and the ‘tale’ the artist is telling. They learn about pose, expression and setting before exploring these ideas further in a series of practical art activities using a range of materials.

Landscape

Being There, KS1
available from February 2011, 1 hour 30 minutes

How do artists use colour and shape to tell us more about a place? Using sensory boxes to enhance their experience, pupils investigate how the sounds and atmosphere of a place can be represented in paint. They record their findings in a sketch which they use as the basis for a collage in a practical activity in the Studio.

A Sense of Place, KS2
available until July 2010 and from February 2011, 1 hour 30 minutes

Pupils identify the 'tricks' that artists use to create perspective in a variety of different landscapes. Using sensory boxes to stimulate imaginative ideas, pupils make a sketch in the gallery which they develop further into a colour drawing in The Studio.

Story Telling

Pictures Tell Stories, Foundation Stage
1 hour

The children explore the paintings in the gallery and draw characters from the artworks before listening to a story about one of the paintings. Using props, the children then engage in role-play to re-tell the story, followed by a range of drawing and design activities in The Studio.

The session is designed to encourage imaginative thought and empathy with the characters.

Telling Tales, KS1
1 hour 30 minutes

Pupils must use their investigative skills if they are to unravel the stories in our paintings. Finding imaginative answers creates new stories. They then participate in practical Studio activities including drawing, creating different story endings and producing their own acrostic poem.

Story Writing, KS2
1 hour, 30 minutes

Pupils use the art on display in the gallery to stimulate creative writing through word-games and discussion. In small groups, they develop their thoughts into story-boards which they later share with the whole group in a session of storytelling, celebrating their ideas.

Local History

Can this building speak? KS2
1 hour, 30 minutes

Using old photographs, plans and architectural drawings of York Art Gallery, this session encourages children to examine the evidence and investigate how a building has changed over time. Pupils also consider the design of the building; exploring how shape, pattern and materials have been used. Along the way, the children make their own drawings and designs to record their findings.

Sensing the Gardens
For SEN groups
Developed in partnership with Applefields School, York

1 hour 30 mins

Explore the sounds, textures, sights and smells of the Museum Gardens on a tour designed to meet the needs of your particular group. Pupils will have opportunities to match mystery leaves to plants; play music on the Abbey ruins; hug a tree and make a giant bark rubbing; collect leaves and feathers; take photographs or record sounds; catch a shadow and spot pigeons and squirrels. Wet weather sensory activities can be offered in the Art Gallery and pupils can weave dream-catchers from natural objects. A great, accessible way to explore the natural environment. With additional support if needed, please discuss when booking the session.

Secondary School Workshops and Tours

Our workshops have been designed to complement GCSE, NVQ and Creative and Media Diplomas and are for groups of up to 30 students.

Prices

Workshops: £70
45-minute tours: £40

Ceramics, KS3
1 hour, 30 minutes

After a handling session exploring materials and techniques, puils test out their knowledge and draw in the Gallery of Pots. Using their drawings as the basis for a design, they then decorate a tile.

Creative and Critical Thinking, KS3
1 hour, 30 minutes

Pupils are set a design challenge to encourage them to work collaboratively, inspired by the portraits and icons they see in the gallery.

Religious Ideas in Art, KS4
1 hour, 30 minutes

A cross-curricular workshop exploring the connections between RE and Art and how beliefs can be expressed creatively.

How a Gallery Works, KS4
1 hour, 30 minutes

Particularly designed to support Creative and Media Diploma students, this session gives real career path examples for those interested in the arts and heritage sector.

Tours, KS4
45 minutes

Tours of the gallery can be tailored to your needs and can also include short practical sketchbook tasks.