With many children now opting for iPads over colouring books, it’s more important than ever to get pupils enthusiastic about creativity.
With the rise of technology at its peak, it’s crucial to allow pupils to still be exposed to hands-on activities when at school. Creative subjects may be taught in the classroom, but once children go home, the reality is that many opt for television over pencil crayons.
Some children are never exposed to creative activities away from school, making it even more imperative to get pupils creatively inspired.
To inspire creative learning, here is a handful of interesting attractions for teacher to consider taking their classes to.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park offers self-guided visits, learning resources and a learning programme which ties into the National Curriculum. The attraction aims to enable young people to interact and engage more with art, creativity and the outdoors too. Its educational offering extends through all Key Stages. During a visit, schools can view the unique sculptures and art to get them thinking creatively about the kind of art they might like to create. It’s also a way of showing children the different styles of art, encouraging them to explore the subject in more ways than one.
The Saatchi Gallery in London offers an education programme which allows students to be introduced to the arts and enhance their experience through participation and analysis, plus encouragement to create their own pieces of art. Teachers can book a free art workshop at the gallery which will take place in the on-site education room. Various workshops are available which look at Art and are suitable for a variety of Key Stages. Teachers can contact education@saatchigallery.com for more details.
A trip to Arvon, in either Devon, Shropshire or Yorkshire, on a residential could get the creativity flowing for the future writers of the world. Various themed residentials are available, from Children's TV to Crime Fiction which all include professional writers leading the workshops. What better place to get inspired than the countryside, which many famous writers have used as the backdrops for their novels, poems and stories.
Pictured: British Music Experience.
Get pupils enthusiastic about making music, rather than just listening to it. A trip to the British Music Experience in Liverpool can cater to Key Stages 1 to 4 and offers a variety of workshops from ‘Shakespeare, The Grandfather of Hip Hop’ for Key Stage 3 and 4, to ‘Pop Culture’ for Key Stage 3 and 4, to ‘What's the Score?’ for Key Stages 1 and 2. Pre-visit resources are available online too and teachers can arrange a familiarisation trip before booking with their class. Trips can also include a 30-minute guided gallery tour, as well as time to explore the Gibson Interactive Studio where students can have a go at using some musical instruments.
Lego is a toy that’s been around for a long time and most children will have experienced it at some point in their lives. Despite its obvious fun, it can also be linked to Art and Design & Technology, as well as Architecture and Engineering. A trip to Legoland Windsor Resort can involve school workshops, such as the Key Stage 1 workshops ‘The Dragon's Tale’ which ties in with D.T and allows pupils to construct a Lego brick castle. There's also a workshop which ties in with Creative Writing called ‘Story Starter’, suitable for Key Stage 1 and 2 students. For exploring Science and construction, the ‘Lego Gears and Pulleys’ workshops allows Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils to understand how gears and pulleys work together to move objects.
So, whether it’s a residential or a day trip you’re after, there are plenty of attractions around Britain that can help pupils feel more involved with the creative side of education.
