Primary schools: Practical workshops
Practical sessions led by artists
EYFS and Key Stages 1 and 2
There is a maximum of 2 workshops per school within an academic year, so you can request a booking for up to 2 classes.
- School contact details
- Finance contact details. Although our sessions are free for UK schools, late cancellations and no-shows may incur a charge
- Teacher contact details. If you’d like to visit with two groups on the same date, each group must have a different lead teacher. Providing the same teacher details for every group will delay your booking
- Please book your Gallery session before you book transport.
- Group sizes are 10-30 students per session
- You can book two groups in a single booking request, just use the ‘Add another group’ option. Groups can differ by key stage, theme, date and time of their visit
- There is a maximum of 2 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.
Some of our themes can be adapted for SEND groups, although you may be interested in our 'Explore it!' and 'Sense it!' multisensory sessions, which are especially designed for SEND groups, and allow for flexibility and co-planning with group leaders.
Please contact us for more information about how we can meet your group’s needs. We recommend a maximum group size of 10.
If you would prefer to design and lead your own Gallery session, please book your free Gallery entry ticket in advance. For further information on visiting the Gallery, please email information@nationalgallery.org.uk, or call +44 (0)20 7747 2885.
Key Stages 1-2
Colour - FULLY BOOKED
2 hours (including use of lunch room for 30 minutes)
Suitable for: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Fully booked in current booking period
How do colours work together?
Explore the ways in which artists have used colour, and be inspired to follow in their footsteps and create your own experimental responses.
Workshops take place in the Gallery itself, using a range of materials and media.
Explore the ways in which artists have used colour, and be inspired to follow in their footsteps and create your own experimental responses.
Workshops take place in the Gallery itself, using a range of materials and media.
Draw - FULLY BOOKED
2 hours (including use of lunch room for 30 minutes)
Suitable for: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Fully booked in current booking period
Everyone can draw!
In this session we will take you through accessible and fun techniques, using them to explore different paintings, and understand how artists use drawing.
Workshops take place in the Gallery itself, using a range of materials and media.
In this session we will take you through accessible and fun techniques, using them to explore different paintings, and understand how artists use drawing.
Workshops take place in the Gallery itself, using a range of materials and media.
Every picture tells a story - FULLY BOOKED
2 hours (including use of lunch room for 30 minutes)
Suitable for: KS1, KS2
Fully booked in current booking period
For one class per session.
Discover the hidden story behind a series of paintings and become a part of it.
With the help of an actor, this drama and literacy session helps pupils build their own responses and ideas, developing story building, communication and creativity.
Workshops take place in the Gallery itself, using a range of materials and media.
Discover the hidden story behind a series of paintings and become a part of it.
With the help of an actor, this drama and literacy session helps pupils build their own responses and ideas, developing story building, communication and creativity.
Workshops take place in the Gallery itself, using a range of materials and media.
Messengers - FULLY BOOKED
2 hours (including use of lunch room for 30 minutes)
Suitable for: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Fully booked in current booking period
Explore colour, light and shape.
Starting with Bridget Riley's wall painting, Messengers, this session connects paintings, and experiments with different ways of looking, drawing and using colour.
Workshops take place in the Gallery itself, using a range of materials and media.
This workshop can also be delivered online.
Starting with Bridget Riley's wall painting, Messengers, this session connects paintings, and experiments with different ways of looking, drawing and using colour.
Workshops take place in the Gallery itself, using a range of materials and media.
This workshop can also be delivered online.
Move - FULLY BOOKED
2 hours (including use of lunch room for 30 minutes)
Suitable for: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Fully booked in current booking period
How do paintings explore movement?
Investigate the collection to discover gestures, body language, and what they might mean. Be inspired in this session to make your own work.
Workshops take place in the Gallery itself, using a range of materials and media.
Investigate the collection to discover gestures, body language, and what they might mean. Be inspired in this session to make your own work.
Workshops take place in the Gallery itself, using a range of materials and media.