Programmes for secondary school students

Download the 2011/12 Schools Programme (PDF file, 1.2 MB)

Book now on +44 (0)20 7942 2211

• Gallery Tours
• Workshops supporting D&T and Art & Design
• Workshops supporting Performing Arts and English
• Special Workshops
• Creative Quarter 2011 Programme
  

 

Gallery Tours

These focussed tours immerse students in a topic in the galleries. They encourage discussion of original objects, explain historical contexts and investigate different approaches to art and design. A great way to develop sketchbook research and gain inspiration for Art & Design, D&T and Performing Arts projects.

£60 for 1 hour - sessions starting at 10.30, 11.45 & 13.00
Maximum 20 students
We advise groups to bring their own sketchbooks
Book now on +44 (0)20 7942 2211

Architecture - NEW!

Many artists and designers are inspired by Architecture. See examples of different styles from Medieval to Modern and explore the fascinating design of the V&A building itself.

Chair Design - NEW!

Explore different design styles from the 19th and 20th centuries by tracing changes in chair design. See examples of iconic design from Morris & Co to Marcel Breuer.

Sculpture - NEW!

Fill a sketchbook with a range of fast paced and inventive drawing tasks designed to encourage ‘looking’ whilst exploring our Sculpture collection.

Ceramics - NEW!

From Ming Dynasty porcelain to contemporary work by Grayson Perry, gain a fantastic insight into the world history of ceramics and investigate different production techniques.

Fashion

Discover inspiring fashion throughout our galleries including contemporary design collaborations by Alexander McQueen and Nick Knight.

Pattern & Textiles

Explore pattern and textiles from India and the Middle East and see how these influenced Western designers such as William Morris.

Theatre & Performance

How are live shows put together? Play ‘The Show Business Game’ to see if you could have a hit on the West End stage. Look at iconic poster and set designs, try on costumes and have your photo taken dressed as an Elizabethan actress or Pantomime character.

Workshops supporting D&T and Art & Design

'The students learned to take risks and be creative, to recognise form and function in design and to think abut how design meets users' needs.' (Year 7 D&T teacher)

The V&A's innovative programmes for secondary students combines the expertise of professionals and museum educators to give students an inspirational insight into the 'real-life' world of design, the creative industries and iconic design objects in the V&A's collections by designers such as Verner Panton, Le Corbusier, Marcel Breuer and James Dyson though practical workshops, gallery tours and special events.

DesignLab also offers the unique opportunity to work with the V&A's designers and makers in residence over an extended periods to provide students with the direct experience of completing a design process from start to finish and an in-depth insight into the world of a professional designer. Professional collaborations with DesignLab include innovation and product design company Seymourpowell, Foster+Partners and the British Fashion Council.

Suitable for Key Stages 3, 4 & AS/A2
£150 for 2.5 hours - sessions starting at 10.30 & 14.00
Maximum 30 students (unless stated otherwise)
Book now on +44 (0)20 7942 2211

Fashion - NEW!

Develop research and creative thinking skills in this fast paced practical workshop. Work in teams to design an experimental fashion collection inspired by the Medieval & Renaissance galleries. Devised with V&A fashion designer in residence, Juliana Sissons.

Lamp Design

Create a lighting installation inspired by iconic 20th Century lamp designs and the V&A’s Glass collections. Explore a variety of materials and their properties before constructing prototype installations to test out in the Museum. Devised with V&A product designer in residence, Lao Jianhua.

Architecture - NEW!

Discover how architects research, record and communicate their ideas. Look at models for iconic buildings before creating your own designs through drawing and model making. Developed in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Product Design Workshops devised with Seymourpowell

Devised in collaboration with design and innovation company Seymourpowell, these sessions complement coursework and modular teaching from initial research to finished design.

Design for Life - NEW!

Suitable for AS/A2 only
Gain a unique insight into the professional design world and find out about user profiling and client research at Seymourpowell. Work on design activities and briefs, investigate design trends and create thematic moodboards.

Design Pro

Take on the Design Pro challenge and learn top industry tips in this hands-on product design workshop. Create 3-D prototypes and pitch your idea to the rest of the group.

Special Offer!
Book both Design for Life and Design Pro and receive a £50 discount
Book now on +44 (0)20 7942 2211

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Could your school qualify for half price workshops, FREE outreach and FREE CPD events?

If your school is a secondary state school within the boroughs of Ealing, Brent, Barnet, Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster, Harrow or RBKC you qualify for a free outreach session and free CPD event if you book one of our workshops supporting D&T and Art & Design. You will also receive a 50% discount on the price of the workshop. This initiative is generously supported by John Lyon's Charity.

To find out more and to book , email: schools@vam.ac.uk

Workshops supporting Performing Arts and English

'The workshop leader was superb; super-dynamic, knowledgeable and understanding of the needs of our students.' (Year 11 teacher)

The V&A's TheatreLab programme uses the extensive Theatre & Performance collections to immerse students in history, design and theatre practice, discover what inspired the great theatre practitioners of the past, develop analytical and creative thinking skills through studying texts, film and reviews of live performance. With everything from Gordon Craig sets models to videos of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe to Shakespeare's First Folio, the V&A is the ideal place to immerse your students in live performing arts in the UK.

These workshops lead students through the devising process, introduce them to the key concepts involved in costume, set and stage make-up design, provide exciting overviews of performance.

Suitable for Key Stages 3, 4 & AS/A2, these workshops aim to:

• support Performing Arts and English learning objectives in textual analysis, practitioners' influences and performance skills
• offer students the chance to explore original objects such as Shakespeare's First Folio, examine rare set designs and try on costumes from our handling collection
• develop and extend knowledge of set texts, practitioners and processes using unique video footage of live performances
  

Suitable for Key Stages 3, 4 & AS/A2
£150 for 2.5 hours - sessions starting at 10.30 & 14.00
Maximum 30 students (unless stated otherwise)
Book now on +44 (0)20 7942 2211

Set Design

Work with a professional set designer to explore the process of set design. Look at iconic set designs in our Theatre & Performance galleries and make your own simple model in response to a play text.

'Transformation and Revelation' Special Set Design Workshops

20 April 10.30 - 16.30
24 April 10.30 - 16.30
01 May 10.30 - 16.30
04 May 10.30 - 16.30

Suitable Key Stage 4 and above
The display‘Transformation and Revelation’ celebrates the best of British performance over the last four years. Highlights include Es Devlin’s set models for Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tour and Rae Smith’s sketches for War Horse.

These day-long workshops will give your students a unique and in-depth experience of the set and costume design process, investigating the importance of collaboration and research and the growing importance to designers of ‘found space’ – using the Museum itself as a performance venue.

Please contact the bookings department - call 020 7942 2211 or email bookings.office@vam.ac.uk
£250 per group. Places limited to 25 students per session.

Royal Court Theatre Design Insight

Thursday 17 May, 10.00-15.00
Suitable KS4 and above

Take part in a special V&A's TheatreLab workshop as we team up with The Royal Court Theatre to offer students unique opportunities in set design. Learn the steps involved in designing for performance, study rare set models and archives. Spend the afternoon at the theatre itself, meet and talk to designers about their current show and try out ideas. Study the play in focus ‘Love, Love, Love’ by Mike Bartlett.

Day starts at the V&A then transfers by tube to the Royal Court
To book call 020 7942  2211 or email bookings.office@vam.ac.uk
£200 per group (places limited to 25 students per session)

Costume Design

Work with a professional costume designer to find out how theatre costumes are designed and made. Get inspired by original costumes from productions such as Julie Taymor’s The Lion King, and produce your own costume designs in response to a play text.

Stage Make-up

Work with a theatrical make-up artist to find out what their job involves and learn more about the process of designing and applying stage make-up. Watch a filmed interview with actress Alexia Khadime talking about her stage make-up for the hit musical Wicked.

Devising

Devise your own piece of theatre inspired by objects in the V&A’s amazing collection, from ornate silver candelabra to extraordinary Japanese armour.

Tailor-made Workshops for Drama, Theatre Studies & English

We can offer tailor-made workshops on a specific theme or play of your choice, based on research in the V&A archives and collections. Email schools@vam.ac.uk for more information or to discuss your ideas.

Limited number of workshops per term, subject to availability
£200, maximum 30 students

Performance Screenings

The National Video Archive of Performance at the V&A is a unique record of over 300 acclaimed full-length live theatre and dance productions, from Complicite’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle at the National Theatre to Terry Hand’s The Importance of Being Earnest at the Old Vic. Book a performance screening to introduce your students to a play, remind them of key events, discuss different interpretations or simply experience a new style of performance and discover what makes a great show. We also offer workshops linked to your chosen performance screening.

Screening: £60, maximum 140 students
Practical Workshop: £60 for 1 hour, £150 for 2.5 hours, maximum 30 students

Special Workshops

Designlab programme

If you would like to take part and work with one of our resident artists or designers over an extended period, email us at schools@vam.ac.uk.
Free, maximum 30 students. Limited availability

Exhibition Workshops

Take part in designer-led workshops inspired by V&A exhibitions.
Autumn term 2011: Power of Making (Crafts)
Spring term 2012: Thomas Heatherwick (Architecture & Product Design)
£240, maximum 30 students

Ceramic Workshops (Spring and Summer terms only)

Take part in a special series of workshops exploring commemorative design in ceramics. Get inspired by designs made to celebrate historic sporting and cultural events and study branding and graphic design styles. Learn new ceramic techniques to design and decorate an individual commemorative plaque.
£240, maximum 30 students

Creative Quarter

Friday 18 November 2011
11.00–16.00

Don’t miss out on the V&A’s flagship event for Secondary Students.

This free event is a unique opportunity for 13–19 year olds to meet professional artists and designers, undergraduate and postgraduate students. Drop-in activities, workshops, talks and demonstrations run throughout the day.

Free but registration and booking essential
Book now on +44 (0)20 7942 2211

See photos from last year’s event on flickr

Talks

11.00–11.40

Working in the Creative Industries: Thomas Heatherwick
Lecture Theatre

Hear from one of Britain's leading designers. Thomas Heatherwick’s projects include the UK Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010 and the new London Routemaster bus. Heatherwick Studio exists to make extraordinary projects happen and is recognized for its work in architecture, urban infrastructure, sculpture, furniture design and strategic thinking.
Booking essential, 275 places

Getting into…Graphic Design: Bibliothèque
Hochhauser Auditorium, Sackler Centre

Designing for a wide range of clients including Nike, Sony, Motorola and Adidas, Bibliothèque Design invites you to step inside their world of graphic design and find out what it takes to be a successful in the industry.
Booking essential, 140 places

Museum Industry Talk: Being an… Exhibition Curator 
Seminar Room 1, Sackler Centre

Find out what's it's like to curate exhibitions for the V&A, the world's leading museum of art and design.
Booking essential, 70 places

General Overview: Theatre & Performance Gallery Tour
Meet at Sackler Centre Reception

Find our how shows are put together, from the first ideas to opening night. Learn about the roles involved in performance and look at iconic objects from hundreds of years of live shows.
Booking essential, 20 places

12.00–12.40

Being a…Product Designer: Seymourpowell
Lecture Theatre

There's more to product design than just being able to draw. Find out about user research and trend forecasting from Paula Zuccotti, Head of Research at world-renowned innovation and product design company Seymourpowell. Hear about her role within the company, the clients and design briefs she has worked on and get advice on careers in the industry.
Booking essential, 275 places

Getting into…the right college or university course
Hochhauser Auditorium, Sackler Centre

Get advice on choosing and getting onto the right college or university course to pursue a career in the creative industries.
Booking essential, 140 places

Museum Industry Talk: How to promote an exhibition
Seminar Room 1, Sackler Centre

Find out how the V&A Marketing team positions and promotes exhibitions and get advice about working in this area.
Booking essential, 70 places

Poster Design: Theatre & Performance Gallery Tour
Meet at Sackler Centre Reception

From block-type hand-printed papers to computer aided design, the Theatre and Performance gallery covers nearly 300 hundred years of print design and technology. Study iconic posters and find out what makes an eye-catching poster.
Booking essential, 20 places

13.00–13.40

Getting into…the Fashion Industry: The British Fashion Council
Lecture Theatre

Find out how to get into fashion careers, from designer to stylist or buyer. Gemma Ebelis of the British Fashion Council is here to give top advice on the do's and don’ts of making it in the industry.
Booking essential, 275 places

Developing your portfolio
Hochhauser Auditorium, Sackler Centre

Jane Francis from Central St Martins is here to give tips on how to present your portfolio work and give advice on making your work make an impact. Jane is a Senior Lecturer at Central St Martins and the London College of Fashion as well as a designer working with international fashion brands and designers.
Booking essential, capacity 140

Set Design: Theatre & Performance Gallery Tour
Meet at Sackler Centre Reception

Study set models from the 18th century to the present day. See how set design has developed over the years and find our more about the stories behind the shows.
Booking essential, 20 places

14.00–14.40

Being an…Architect: AL_A
Lecture Theatre

Find out what it’s like to work for one of the most original and inspirational architecture firms in the world, AL_A. Recently announced as the winning architect to design a new extension for the V&A, Amanda Levete is responsible for designing some of the most cutting edge buildings of the last two decades.
Booking essential, 275 places

Opportunities in the Creative Industries
Hochhauser Auditorium, Sackler Centre

We all know how competitive it is to get a career in the creative industries. This session is designed to show you different ways of getting invaluable experience through internships and work placement schemes.
Booking essential, 140 places

Costume Design: Theatre & Performance Gallery Tour
Meet at Sackler Centre Reception

From Opera to Rock 'n' Pop and Musicals, look at incredible costumes worn by famous performers and try on some of our own costumes to find out how they were made and how they help change a performer's character.
Booking essential, 20 places

Workshops

Set Design with the Royal Court
(1 hour): 13.00–14.00 / 14.30–15.30
Seminar Room 1, Sackler Centre

Don't miss this chance to have a go at set design with experts from leading theatre, the Royal Court. Find out about the design techniques used in their latest productions.
Bookings essential, 25 places per slot

Fashion Illustration
(45 minutes): 11.00–11.45 / 12.00–12.45 / 13.30–14.15 / 14.30–15.15
Seminar Room 2, Sackler Centre

Take part in a practical fashion illustration workshop with designer Stuart MacKenzie and find out how to capture your first sketch idea to mastering the human figure clothed and other invaluable illustration techniques.
Booking essential, 25 places per slot

Fashion Design TRAID
(40 minutes): 11.00–11.40 / 12.00–12.40 / 14.00–14.40 / 15.00–15.40
Design Studio, Sackler Centre

Find out how to upcycle unwanted clothes and remake them into beautiful bespoke garments with this exciting ethical fashion design workshop from TRAID - a charity dedicated to reusing and recycling clothes and shoes. All garments and materials supplied. Basic sewing machine skills recommended.
Booking essential, 20 places

Digital Design
(1 hour): 11.00–12.00 / 12.30–13.30 / 14.30–15.30
Digital Studio, Sackler Centre

Find out how to create your own digital moodboards for an interior design project with a member of the V&A Digital team. Try out the latest software to produce interesting image effects.
Booking essential, 18 places

Drop-in events

All day 11.00–16.00
Registration needed for Creative Quarter event
No allocated slots available for drop-in activities
All drop-in activities run on a first come first serve basis

Product Design
Art Studio, Sackler Centre

Drop in and create some weird and wonderful creations in our 'Bodging' workshop with Jasleen Kaur, graduate designer from the Royal College of Art.

Shop Window Design
Level 1, Sackler Centre

Get the chance to add your drawings to a shop window design with Kim Gladwin, professional designer. Kim was recently commissioned to create a window display for jewellery shop Boodles of Bond Street.

Escape (Robot Birds)
Ground Floor Foyer, Sackler Centre

Interact with this piece designed by Neil Mendoza and Anthony Goh. The installation consists of a tree containing the birds made from broken phone junk, just enough of one phone for it to continue working and a small microcontroller board, an Arduino Mini. The working phone communicates via serial to the Arduino that then decides how the bird should move, when it should answer calls (from the public or other birds) and when it should make calls.

Open Studios
Level 1, Sackler Centre

Drop in and meet our resident designers in the Craft Collective, Postlerferguson. Have a look at their studio and find out how they use the V&A collections to inspire their work.

Design Pod
Ground Floor, Sackler Centre

Take part in an exciting mass participation drop-in design activity throughout the day with designers in residence, Postlerferguson.

'Advice Stop' with hands-on activities
Level 1, Sackler Centre

Meet students and tutors and find out about different design courses from leading universities and colleges in London

 

Organised in collaboration with the Exhibition Road Cultural Group