Download our free lesson plans for Key Stage 3 – 5 students (ages 11 – 18), covering many areas of our collections and the varied exhibition programme.
Art, Craft and Design
These resources support self-guided visits to collections on permanent display:
20th century design
Key stages 3 – 5 Design & Technology and Art & Design
Explore the 20th century using this resource to support teaching and learning linked to the National Curriculum for D&T and Art & Design. This resource meets key criteria for AQA, Edexcel, and OCR D&T GCSE specifications by linking with suggested artists, designers, themes and movements from this period and beyond.
Exploring calligraphy in Islamic art
Key Stages 3 – 5: Art & Design, Design & Technology
Learn about Islamic culture and design through calligraphy. Investigate the links between design, language and communication in cultures past and present.
Exploring plant-based design in Islamic art
Key Stage 3 – 5: Art & Design, Design & Technology
Study examples of Islamic plant-based designs at the V&A and give students inspiration for creative projects.
Pattern in architecture
Key Stage 3 & 4: Art & Design, Design & Technology
Explore pattern through the V&A and RIBA architecture collections.
Design processes
Key Stage 3 & 4: Art & Design, Design & Technology
Learn about the design processes and inspiration behind iconic buildings in the V&A and RIBA architecture collections and use these ideas to inspire new product design projects.
Exploring skylines
Key Stage 3 & 4: Art & Design, Design & Technology
Explore a range of drawing techniques to record architectural details and features with reference to the work of other artists and architects. Develop research skills and create ideas for school-based follow-up activities inspired by architecture at the V&A and the local built environment.
Fashion
Key Stage 3 & 4: Art & Design, Design & Technology
Research the extensive fashion collections at the V&A and use them to inspire new designs.
Fashion & textiles: state of Early Modern undress
Key Stage 4 & 5: Art & Design and Design & Technology
Also suitable for Higher Education groups
Explore replica costumes of outfits worn by 17th Century Spanish royalty. Develop an understanding of garment construction and take inspiration for future design projects.
Photography
Key Stage 4 & 5: Photography, Art & Design
Support teaching and learning inspired by the Museum’s national collection of photography.
Jewellery
Key Stage 3 & 4: Art & Design, Design & Technology
Explore the V&A’s collection of European jewellery from 1200 to the present day, looking at the different materials and techniques featured, the function and context of the objects, and the inspiration behind the designs.
Performing Arts, Media and English
Theatre & Performance
Key Stage 3 & 4: Drama and English
Explore the different aspects of performance such as costume, production and promotion.
Peter Brook
Key Stage 5: English, Drama, History
Discover why Brook and his collaborators approached particular plays and themes and consider how these could be relevant today.
An Inspector Calls
Key Stage 3 – 5: English, Drama, History
Understand more about the world of film through the exploration of museum galleries, objects and collections. Explore Britain 1760 – 1900 and Theatre and Performance.
Belle
Key Stage 3 – 5: English, Drama, History
Understand more about the world of film through the exploration of museum galleries, objects and collections. Explore Britain 1760 – 1900 and Fashion.
Great Expectations
Key Stage 3 – 5: English, Drama, History
Understand more about the world of film through the exploration of museum galleries, objects and collections. Explore Britain 1760 – 1900 and Paintings.
Twelfth Night
Key Stage 3 – 5: English, Drama, History
Understand more about the world of film through the exploration of museum galleries, objects and collections. Explore Britain 1500 – 1760, Paintings and Theatre and Performance.
Much Ado About Nothing
Key Stage 3 – 5: English, Drama, History
Understand more about the world of film through the exploration of museum galleries, objects and collections. Explore Theatre and Performance and Medieval and Renaissance.
Pride and Prejudice
Key Stage 3 – 5: English, Drama, History
Understand more about the world of film through the exploration of museum galleries, objects and collections. Explore Britain 1760 – 1900.
Romeo and Juliet
Key Stage 3 – 5: English, Drama, History
Understand more about the world of film through the exploration of museum galleries, objects and collections. Explore Theatre and Performance and Medieval and Renaissance.
Throne of Blood
Key Stage 3 – 5: English, Drama, History
Understand more about the world of film through the exploration of museum galleries, objects and collections. Explore Japan and Theatre and Performance.
Exhibition resources
Explore our resources which support visits to temporary exhibitions.
Some are for exhibitions that have now closed but many of the activities can be adapted for use in the classroom and our permanent collections.
Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear
Key Stages 3 – 5: Art & Design and Design & Technology
Consisting of object discussion cards for highlight objects in the exhibition, this resource aims to encourage object-based learning and allow students to develop critical, creative, and collaborative thinking skills. Students will be supported to reflect on the themes of menswear and gender through the historical and contemporary examples featured.
Africa Fashion
Key Stages 3 – 5: Art & Design and Design & Technology
Covering key themes such as the African independence era, the politics of cloth through to the work of Africa's contemporary creatives, use this resource to support a self-guided visit to the exhibition or as inspirational starting points for study back in the classroom.