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V&A East Schools and Colleges: In-person workshops Summer 2026
Join us at V&A East Storehouse for hands-on, creative workshops for school and college groups, offering open access to collections. These workshops are available for registered schools only.
Creative Learning workshops at V&A East offer students behind-the-scenes access to the Storehouse. Using V&A collections as a starting point, sessions explore why objects are made and how stories, spaces, and making processes can inspire creative thinking across subjects. Led by artists and museum practitioners, workshops focus on collaboration, first-hand exploration of the Collections Hall, supporting cross-curricular learning through creative making, critical thinking, and engagement with contemporary themes, as well as learning about the working museum and creative careers.
All workshops include object handling or observation and short tour of the Collections Hall in V&A East Storehouse. These workshops support the National Curriculum and Gatsby benchmarks 5-6 and are designed for Key Stages 3–5. Each session is 120 mins long and accommodates one class (maximum of 30 students). We offer four workshops for Secondary and College students. Sessions run at V&A East Storehouse (Hackney Wick) on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with two time slots available: AM 10:30 to 12:30 or PM 13:30 to 14:30.
Who are we? (KS3-4 - Ages 13-16)
Themes: Identity, heritage
This creative workshop invites students to explore identity within the unique setting of Storehouse. Through reflection and celebration of their own identities, students will examine how personal stories can be communicated through visual design. The workshop links collection items with contemporary artists who explore identity using familiar everyday objects, such as Nike TNs, KA bottles, and bootleg brands. Students will consider how personal identity and cultural heritage can inspire creative making, and how museums collect and preserve these histories. Using found objects and textiles, students will create their own charms inspired by their identities and items in the V&A’s collection.
Recommended for Years 9-11, this session links to KS3-KS4 English, Art and Design, History, Citizenship, and Religious Education, and supports Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6.
What is Waste? (KS3-4 - Ages 13-16)
Themes: Sustainability, material culture, consumerism
This interactive session challenges students to explore the idea that waste is a human invention. Through discussion, case studies, a thought-provoking tour of V&A East Storehouse and a chance to use waste to create something meaningful, they’ll examine how different cultures value resources, the human impact of global waste, and how rethinking our relationship with waste can lead to more sustainable choices.
Recommended for Years 9-11, this session links to KS3–KS4 Art and Design, Geography, and English, and supports Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6.
Imagined Cities: Designing Urban Futures (KS4-5 - Ages 16+)
Theme: Design, social impact, third spaces
How do we want our cities to look and feel? In this workshop, students will use their imagination to envision future urban spaces and rethink how we live together. Using objects from the collection as a starting point, they will explore the challenges shaping modern cities, including safety, public transport, social housing, regeneration and green cities. Inspired by the changing environment of what is now Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the transformation of the former Olympic Media Centre into V&A East Storehouse, students will work collaboratively to design ‘imagined cities’ that address contemporary issues and reflect the spaces young people want to see. The workshop develops creative and critical thinking about urban planning, social issues, and the future of public spaces.
Recommended for Years 10-13, this session links to KS4–KS5, Design & Technology, Art & Design, Citizenship, Geography, and supports Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6.
Create a Storehouse Display (KS4-5 - Ages 16+)
Themes: Careers in the museum, curation, collaboration, object interpretation
Step into the role of a museum curator. In this hands-on workshop, students explore how museums select and interpret objects and consider what museums can be today. Using Storehouse’s open-access collection, students work in groups to curate their own ‘Hacked-end’ or mini display, selecting objects, uncovering their stories, and producing a creative response to include in their display. Students develop research, interpretation and creative thinking skills while discovering the range of careers involved in museums.
Recommended for Years 10-13, this session links to KS4–KS5, Art & Design, English and History, and supports Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6.
Included in your booking
As part of your booking, we will also reserve a 30-minute lunch slot in our Foyle Creative Centre for your group. This lunch slot cannot be changed.
Entry to the Collections Hall, after the workshop, is subject to availability on the day.
Want to know more? Please email va-east-engagement@vam.ac.uk if you have any queries
