Sessions for primary schools

Bring National Gallery paintings to life with a session tailor-made to the needs of your pupils.

Interactive Gallery sessions for 4–11 year olds

These sessions are designed to build children’s confidence and enjoyment in looking at and responding to paintings, and are tailor-made to the needs of your pupils.

Gallery educators encourage pupils to think, imagine and make connections within and between paintings while making links with their previous learning and experiences. Sessions last one hour and are free for UK schools. For overseas groups, there is a charge of £50 a group.

Group size can range from 10 to 100 students. Choose from a theme below or request your own:

Suggested themes

Key Stage 1
Portraits, colour, light, pattern, materials, plants and animals, stories, the senses
Key Stage 2
Greek myths, forces, weather, buildings, journeys, reading paintings

The Magic Carpet (3–5 year olds)

Come aboard the magic carpet and let your imagination fly. These interactive 30-minute sessions introduce Early Years Foundation Stage pupils to the world of a painting.

Group size: 10 to 40 pupils

Special Eyes (SEN schools and units)

We welcome the opportunity to provide a tailor-made Talking Paintings session for SEN schools and groups. These are led by experienced Gallery educators and take place in front of the paintings, although some groups may benefit from an introductory or follow-up session in a workshop space.

The sessions are multi-sensory, incorporating drama and props to enhance the pupils’ experience.

Group size: maximum 10 pupils

Sense It! (PMLD students and their staff)

FULLY BOOKED

An inspirational outing for pupils with PMLD (profound and multiple learning disabilities) and their staff.

Experience the sounds and spaces, smells, colours and light at the National Gallery. During your visit, take time to explore a single painting through the senses, and investigate how it was made in a practical workshop.

'Sense It!' is the outcome of consultation and a pilot project with specialist PMLD practitioners. Following a visit to your school from the session leader, we will provide a tailor-made Gallery session to match your pupils’ needs. You will have the exclusive use of the Pigott Education Centre and suitably equipped private spaces.