Our museums and galleries house fascinating collections, from living bugs to The Beatles, fine art to photography, the Titanic to ancient Egypt.
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Our museums and galleries house fascinating collections, from living bugs to The Beatles, fine art to photography, the Titanic to ancient Egypt.
Find Your Talent
Getting creative with Splatts at the Unity Theatre
The following venues offer sessions for Key Stage 2 students. Follow a link to see their offer.
The Bluecoat | Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres | FACT | International Slavery Museum | Lady Lever Art Gallery| Merseyside Maritime Museum | Royal Liverpool Philharmonic | Sudley House | Tate Liverpool | Walker Art Gallery | World Museum | Unity Theatre
Find Your Talent specific programmes are stamped with this FYT logo. All other programmes are open to all schools in the region.
Reclaim Your Space consists of two specific strands, both aimed at increasing children and young people’s visibility in cultural venues but also within their everyday spaces, such as their school buildings.
Strand 1: An exciting, dedicated exhibition programme for children and young people across the LARC venues. A community exhibition
programme designed and created by young people, celebrating their culture and showcasing their work across multiple art forms.
Strand 2: An opportunity for primary school’s to dress their favourite place in the school building, and create their own cultural hub. Children themselves work with an artist to take charge of decorating their own school hall, foyer or classroom. Strand 2 may also incorporate the chance for children to visit National Museums Liverpool venues.
Contact your local FYT Coordinator for more details.
Please see individual programmes for contact details
Explore at the Bluecoat offers a guided tour followed by teacher-guided activities with resources and materials provided. Activities could include listening and responding to what we hear, exploring the vocabulary of art work, looking at colour, exploring building materials, investigating different ways of thinking, using the building for numeracy, comprehension and creativity. A story box of props and costumes is available as well as support with planning your visit.
Dates: from September 2009 Cost: £30 for a full or half day.
Contact: Laura Edwards on 0151 702 7761 or email laura.e@thebluecoat.org.uk
The Bluecoat, Liverpool city centre's oldest building, provides a unique window into different historical worlds. This programme consists of a guided tour of the Bluecoat followed by teacher-guided activities with resources and materials provided. Lesson plans available in advance.
Create your visit from themes using interactive tours, costumes, props, sound and lighting to bring it to life. Themes include: Art and history, Social history, World War II, Myths and Enchantment, Hopes and Dreams.
Dates: from September 2009
Cost: Some subsidised visits supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, on a first-come-first-served basis. £75 half day, £145 full day. Full price from £185 for a half day.
Contact: Laura Pilgrim on 0151 702 7761 or email laura.pilgrim@thebluecoat.org.uk
Liverpool Reads is an annual programme run by the Reader Organisation which aims to use reading as social glue, binding communities together by reading the same book. It also encourages conversations about books in school and in family settings.
The book for 2009/10 is The Savage, a short graphic novel by David Almond (author) and Dave McKean (illustrator). It is a brilliantly crafted book about how a boy deals with grief and being bullied and shows how writing helps him to personify the savage within him in a creative rather than a destructive way. It is highly resonant but simply presented in an accessible reading style and with evocative illustrations.
The Bluecoat and the Reader Organisation provide a resource for schools designed by teachers for teachers. Three CPD events in October will launch the programme in each of the three Find Your Talent areas, accompanied by a limited number of free class sets of The Savage and a 'Meet the Author' event aimed at pupils.
Dates: from October 2009 to March 2010.
Cost: Free but schools are responsible for their own transport to the event on World Book Day.
Contact: Laura Edwards on 0151 702 7761 or email laura.e@thebluecoat.org.uk
For further information on programmes and to arrange a booking pleaser contact Angela Cowan at FACT on 0151 707 4444, or email angela.cowan@fact.co.uk or visit the FACT website.
National Schools Film Week brings film to thousands of children across the UK. Knowledge and understanding of social and political are themes apparent throughout the National Curriculum. This year's films focus on Creativity and Diversity, and throw a spotlight on the broader issues of Citizenship, addressing some hard-hitting issues. Film Week offers a series of screenings followed by a Questions and Answers session and debate.
For more information see National Schools Film Week. Tickets are issued on a strictly first come, first served basis. From Monday 1st September.
Fact offers a range of exhibition tours and interpretation activities for school groups, as well as related creative workshops and CPD for Teachers. Tours and activities can be adapted to link to all aspects of the curriculum.
Book a FREE group tour for students to experience the exhibitions at FACT. Learning more about the themes and issues in the work, students can work with an accompanying activity sheet to respond and question key artists works. Join Learning and Education staff from FACT. Relate current exhibitions to artists and activities on offer for schools and teachers. Includes skills workshops, lectures and CPD. For teachers of all subject areas.
For more info on all workshops and performances, contact: Andrea Beed, Education Coordinator 0151 706 9111 or a.beed@everymanplayhouse.com
Roald Dahl's classic 'The BFG' has enchanted young minds for more than twenty-five years. This new stage show by Royal & Derngate, presented by Fiery Light, promises to entertain, astonish and inspire audiences of all ages.
A theatre performance at the Playhouse is followed by a creative craft workshop on the themes of The BFG. The post-show craft workshop will allow pupils to create their own artwork in response to the production which will form a display in the Playhouse. The activity encourages the exploring and development of ideas, of investigating and making art, craft and design plus explores the themes of knowledge, understanding and citizenship.
Date: 4 November, 10.30am-1.30pm.
Cost: £150 per group (15-30 students) Ticket Prices: £9-17 Discounts and Group Tickets available
Visit our website for further information.
The museum-led sessions linked to the International Slavery Museum are very popular. It is essential that you make your booking as early as possible. Do please contact us as soon as you can. All our sessions are FREE. For more info or to book a session contact Emma Birtles on 0151 478 4441.
Produce your own African-inspired batik and block prints to take back to school in this hands-on workshop. (Art)
A talk, handling and music session with objects from African culture, costume, everyday life, the transatlantic trade and plantation slavery. (History, Art, Geography, Music)
Make clay sculptures based upon the art and culture of West African using Uli designs.(History, Art, Geography)
The Lady Lever Art Gallery houses the collection of soap magnate William Hesketh Lever. The gallery is an intimate in scale, and an ideal place to introduce children and young people to fine art. They can explore a variety of themes including animals, seasons and portraits. Contact our booking line on 0151 478 4178.
Our learning staff first introduce your students to soap and the paintings Lever collected to advertise it. A tour of the gallery follows focussing on three artworks chosen to link directly to your classroom work with sessions tailored to suit the needs of the students.
After their session with our staff, students are welcome to complete one of our activity sheets including Soot and Soap, The Victorians Seasons and Animals, The Victorians People and Places, or Myth and Meaning before visiting the gallery in small groups. (History, Art)
Over the years, Merseyside Maritime Museum learning staff have developed considerable knowledge about the galleries and the way they can be used. If you would like to discuss your visit before you come, do please contact us. Contact our booking line on 0151 478 4441.
A hands-on session with objects from the museum's collections. Learn about the role Customs Officers play in protecting endangered species. Visual and aural disability friendly. (Science, Geography, Citizenship)
Use ships and nautical images to create artwork to take back to school. Choose between textiles and printmaking. (Art)
From counterfeits to cannabis, discover more about contraband in this handling session. This session is based on the themes explored in Seized! Revenue and Customs uncovered. (Citizenship)
Using role play, pupils learn about the conditions facing emigrants leaving Victorian Liverpool for a new life in America or Australia. (History)
Take a close look at objects that illustrate the issues surrounding addictive substances including legal and illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco. The session includes discussion, handling objects and activities. (Literacy, Citizenship, PHSE)
Pupils meet a costumed character and find out about daily life and death in medieval Liverpool. (History)
What did pirates do? Make hats, dress up, and promenade through the museum looking at exhibits with our staff. Join a treasure hunt and sing a pirate song or two. (History, Literacy)
Learn some of the skills of a Customs Officer and search for smuggled goods on board our interactive ship's cabin. Visual and aural disability friendly. (Citizenship)
The Liverpool Women's History Group takes you back to evacuation, the blitz and Liverpool at war, with interactive roleplay. Contact us for available dates. (History)
For Merseyside Sings, please contact your Find Your Talent Area Coordinator for details. For more information on all other programmes see our website, or contact Learning Department on 0151 210 2895 or email learning@liverpoolphil.com
This programme will support primary and secondary schools develop singing with children and young people and provide professional development for music coordinators, teachers, teaching assistants, breakfast club practitioners and secondary age young people to develop their confidence as singing leaders. Based on the Sing Up Clusters model (www.singup.org), this programme will be led by Music Services with the Phil and Youth Music, and be delivered in schools and local communities in the Find Your Talent areas. Schools will be encouraged to sign up to the Sing Up website where they can access a range of singing resources. The programme will provide a school songbook resource and performance opportunities for participants from the three Find Your Talent neighbourhoods in summer 2010 to be funded by Sing Up and Youth Music.
Dates: September 2009 to July 2010 (exact schedule to be confirmed by Music Services through consultation with participating schools).
Cost: Funded through Find Your Talent (transport costs not included)
Tickets on sale 14 September 2009
We believe every child should have the opportunity to experience world class live music during their time at school. Since the 1940s, the Phil has provided a range of concerts for schools as a core part of our artistic programme. This includes inspirational live orchestral concerts at Philharmonic Hall, performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; opportunities for children to participate through singing; themed scheme of work for teachers, designed to enhance delivery of the national curriculum developed annually in partnership with Wirral Children's Services; and INSET training for non-specialist teachers, helping them to develop the confidence to make music with children in school. The theme for our 2010 concerts is Liverpool's Year of Innovation.
Dates: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 March 2010. Concerts take place within the school day and last approximately one hour.
Costs: £3.50 per pupil. 1 adult ticket free with every 10 pupil tickets booked. Special schools requiring additional free adult places should contact the Phil.
We offer a range of options for school groups to watch the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra rehearsing at Philharmonic Hall. This fantastic opportunity to see a world class symphony orchestra at work includes a music making workshop and opportunity to meet members of the RLPO.
Dates: Throughout the year Costs: from £200 for up to 30 children
We provide a range of workshop opportunities on an individual and series basis, designed to enhance the music curriculum and to introduce children to live music and professional musicians. Workshops are prepared in consultation with teachers to ensure specific learning objectives are met. Schools can select their preferred orchestral instruments (subject to availability).
Dates: Throughout the year Costs: from £230 for up to 30 children
Your school can adopt a member of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra to lead music making sessions in school alongside teachers for programmes running across a number of weeks or a term. Programme content is tailored to the needs of each school, but is designed to enhance and enrich the music curriculum or specific cross-curricular projects.
Dates: Throughout the year (subject to availability)
Costs: from £115 per session for groups up to 30 children
We can provide learning resources to support your visit to Sudley House. You can also book the learning suite from 10am-12.30pm and 1-3pm for activity work or for lunch. For more information or to book contact 0151 478 4178.
George Holt, a wealthy shipping merchant, bought Sudley House in 1883. He decorated the ground floor rooms and collected original paintings to display around the house as you can see them today. (History, Art)
A number of museum led sessions will be available at Sudley House during 2009-10. Please call the bookings line for further information. (History, Art)
For more information please contact Abigail Christenson, Schools Outreach Curator, on 0151 702 7457 or email abigail.christenson@tate.org.uk
Thirty-minute tours led by our experienced and knowledgeable Information Assistants.
This is Sculpture is the current Tate Collection display and shows an outstanding selection of modern and contemporary sculpture by many famous international and British artists. Chosen by international designers, artists, film makers and performers this display gives a unique viewpoint of some famous and challenging art works. You can choose to focus on an area of the displays, or you can hear about the history of Tate Liverpool and the Albert Dock.
Dates:Term-time Tuesdays to Fridays, 10am-4pm.
Costs: £60 for an auditorium talk (maximum 60 students)
Take an in-depth look at a display or exhibition. An artist will encourage your pupils to develop personal responses, share ideas with their peers and build the critical skills to understand and enjoy modern art, exploring the themes of Visiting a Gallery: Ways of Seeing, Portrature and Identity, Figure and Movement in Modern Contemporary Art and Investigating Sculpture. We encourage pupils to use notebooks or sketchbooks to support further work in school or college.
Dates: Term time Tuesdays to Fridays, 10am - 4pm
Cost: £50 per workshop (maximum 17 students), £60 from April 2010.
Outreach workshops for both primary and secondary schools offer an in-depth look at a chosen theme, run in conjunction with a current Tate Liverpool display or exhibition. Led by a practising artist, the workshops offer creative and innovative ways of looking at and learning about modern and contemporary art.
These workshops are designed for students with physical, cognitive or sensory difficulties or disabilities. Sessions are led by artists with extensive SEN experience, and are carefully planned and tailored to your specific needs. By engaging in a series of practical and gallery-based activities, students are made to feel welcome, unhurried and inspired. Sessions work best if students are accompanied by several support staff.
We have a range of resource materials to assist in the preparation of a visit to The Walker, or for preparatory or follow-up work. If you would like to discuss your visit with one of our learning staff before you come, do please contact us.Contact our booking line on 0151 478 4178.
Explore Greek myths using six paintings and nine sculptures. Teachers' notes and pupils' workbooks are available for you to run your own session.(History, Art, Literacy)
By observing pictures painted at different times of day and seasons of the year, pupils learn how colour is perceived through the medium of light. Pupils also explore colour mixing and colour as a symbol. Resources are available for you to run your own session.(Science, Art)
Pupils study portraits of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, a French princess and Sir George Delves, soldier and landowner. Teachers' notes, pupils' workbooks and Henry VIII & Elizabeth I costumes to try on are available for you to run your own session.(History, Art, Literacy)
A number of gallery staff led sessions looking at portraits will also be available from September 2009.
For further information on all World Museum's sessions and to find out about availability and booking please contact our booking line on 0151 478 4393 or the learning pages on our website.
The ancient Egyptians lived over 5,000 years ago and yet still their way of life fascinates us today. This demonstrator-led session examines various aspect of Ancient Egyptian history such as rituals, mummification, daily life and conservation of objects within the museum.
The session is based in the Weston Discovery Centre and begins with an informal introduction that allows children to discuss their own knowledge and ask demonstrators questions on this fascinating topic. The second part of the session involves activity work and handling objects in which children will have the opportunity to touch ancient Egyptian artefacts from thousands of years ago. This includes canopic jars used in mummification process, Egyptian amulets used as part of magical protection and ritual, and objects from everyday life such as jewellery and make up. (Science/ History)
An interactive presentation in the Treasure House Theatre - looking at life, death and mummification in ancient Egypt. (Science/ History)
Did you know that over 80% of all living creatures on the planet are arthropods and their existence dates back before the dinosaurs? During this 40 minute session our expert Bug House demonstrators will examine the ecology, adaptations and lifestyles of these amazing animals. Using video-microscope technology, real museum specimens and live animals, pupils get the chance to interact with three really successful arthropod groups - the insects, arachnids and myriapods. See a scorpion glow under UV light, learn why stick insects camouflage themselves and discover how we can tell a spider is a girl by her big bottom! Pupils also get a chance to learn about the lives of some of these animals as well as where they are from, what they eat and how they move. (Science)
This demonstrator-led session in the Clore Natural History Centre looks at the way the natural world influenced the Ancient Egyptians in their daily lives. It introduces their rich ancient world by looking specifically at habitats, animals, plants and rocks. It uses images and real museum specimens and begins by looking at how Egyptian civilization and life was shaped by the environment of the desert and the River Nile. It then looks at the Egyptians’ relationship to the natural world not only in terms of their gods and myths, but also in terms of their practical use of natural resources, farming, fishing and hunting.
The session ends by looking at some of the geological materials used: for example, granite in sarcophagi, limestone in the pyramids, and gold in jewellery. Once the formal session is over, there is a chance to explore the rest of the Natural History Centre. (Science/ History)
Using real images from various space missions and the Hubble Space Telescope, along with fantastic computer generated video sequences, we take your class on a journey through the Solar System. Stopping off at each of the planets we will find out about its surface, atmosphere and moons and discover many other things about our corner of space.
We will find out about the phases of the moon and how people used the sun to tell the time before clocks and watches were invented; then we will take a look at the night sky and learn the names, shapes and positions of some of the brightest star patterns we can find in our night skies. The show is concluded with a question and answer session of up to 15 minutes, when your class has the opportunity to ask our planetarium staff questions about space and astronomy. (Science/ History)
National Museums Liverpool brings the museum into your classroom. This project will use theatrical performance as a stimulus for engaging primary school pupils in the world of the past. Using performance, costume, colour and spectacle the project will introduce children to lives lived in other places, in ancient worlds, and other civilisations. The project will be supported by a series of innovative loan boxes and resources which teachers can use to extend and develop the learning of the students once their initial interest has been captured. A once in a lifetime experience that brings the museum into the world of the school and the community.
Incorporates content from other NML venues.
For further information on the Unity Theatre sessions including costs and bookings please contact: Louise Flooks, Participation Coordinator on 0151 709 6502 or louiseflooks@unitytheatre.co.uk
First Visit offers groups in the FYT areas the chance to experience live theatre in performance. First Visit also offers a full programme of workshops to complement the theatre visit, ensuring a rich experience for your pupils. The offer consists of:
Dates: throughout the year in accordance with appropriate performances
The ‘To Do Market’ is a creative fair offering themed activities delivered through our specially-designed market-style stalls. The market can be adapted to engage various age groups, issues, or themes; or can form part of a larger event where a host venue is open to different participants.
The Market aims to provide opportunities for children and young people to interact with each other, their friends, family and community members whilst engaging in a range of creative activities. Host venues can also input their own ideas and even their own practitioners in order to create a To Do which is especially for them.
The ‘To Do Market’ will take place at least once in each FYT borough (St Helens, Knowsley, Liverpool). We will deliver one between September and December 2009, one between January and April and one between May and July 2010.
The Market can be adapted to the host organisation or venue’s target audiences and thus be suitable for 3-16 year olds, key stages 1, 2, 3 and 4 students, parents, teachers and community groups. For further details on how to get involved please contact your Find Your Talent Area Co-ordinator.
No of Places: For First Visit we tend to work with one class while for the To Do Market, we can accommodate larger numbers of children and young people and the event can be run as an open workshop.
Availability: We are looking for interested venues and partners to host a To Do Market, especially in St Helens and Knowsley.