Workshops for schools

Northern Architecture’s education team runs a programme of workshops for school children and young people using the built environment as a learning tool. The workshops support a range of curriculum subjects across all age groups while responding to the Every Child Matters and Learning Outside of the Classroom agenda.

"Northern Architecture have run 3 workshops for us; all of which have been thoroughly engaging, as well as challenge students to problem solve with creativity. Students are encouraged to work as part of a team and all the workshops have been highly interactive; led by expert practitioners. I highly recommend these workshops; they're fun, action packed and the students really enjoyed them." 

Katie Fokias, Gifted & Talented Co-ordinator, Whitley Bay High School

Workshops available:

Shelter

School workshop Key Stage 1, 2, 3 & 4
Shelter is the most basic and essential form of architecture. This architectural model-making workshop will start right at the beginning and equip pupils with the technical skills to create their own model shelter.

This workshop can be offered as:
Design in a day – a day long workshop to explore modelling techniques
Design in an hour – a quick-fire activity designed for speedy design results

Teacher's CPD also available

Architexts 

School workshop for Key Stage 2 & 3
Delivered in partnership with a creative writer, pupils examine a building near to their school and respond to it through the written word. Outcomes may include Haiku, scripts, stories or plays.

Addresses both literacy and English curriculum areas.

Download a copy of The Wesley Bingo Anthology produced as part of Architexts.

ArchiTEXTURE

School workshop for Key Stage 1 & 2

Pupils explore, collect and record the wide range of surface textures and materials found in buildings, places and spaces.

Using creative techniques and a variety of media, including digital, pupils’ collections of surfaces are used to construct an imaginary townscape – a great way for younger children to examine the materials used to build our homes, towns and cities.

This workshop responds directly to the National Curriculum focus area, ‘Can Buildings Speak’.

Making Architecture Count      

Learning outside the classroom - school workshop for Key Stage 3

Children use maths every day - without realising it! They budget their pocket money, measure ingredients for fairy cakes and monitor the football league tables. Even the rhythm and melody of music is based on maths. So, what about using maths to explore architecture?


This award-winning trail brings Key Stage 3 Maths to life through exploring some of the region’s greatest buildings - Durham Cathedral, Belsay Hall and The Sage Gateshead.

"I have been on Northern Architecture's Making Architecture Count workshops, at Durham Cathedral and The Sage Gateshead. These trips have been enjoyed by pupils from years 7, 8 and 9. The trip to Durham Cathedral was particularly enjoyable as it took the pupils to a venue they would not usually visit. The puzzles and investigations helped them to appreciate the huge scale of the construction. The maths involved is accessible for KS3 pupils, but there is usually enough depth in the investigations to stretch the more able. The activities served to give both myself and the children a deeper understanding and appreciation of these iconic structures." 

David Roxburgh, Maths Teacher,  Benfield School, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Making Architecture Count was devised with the support of Steve Humble (Dr Maths), from The Centre of Excellence in Teaching Maths.

Trail Duration - up to 3 hours
Trails are run in the spring and autumn of each year. Email us to find out dates
Schools will need to arrange transport to and from the venue.

Digital Design Diary  

School workshop for Key Stage 2, 3 & 4

Pupils document and respond to their own school environment using digital technologies. By taking a closer look at their school building and grounds, pupils are asked to identify what’s good, and what’s not so good, about their learning environment.


This workshop is a great way to encourage pupils to appraise their surroundings and to learn about good school design.


Discover your pupils’ perspectives and help inform school development projects.

Teacher's CPD also available

Booking Details:

Where: Workshops are mostly held within the school or school grounds, with the exception of Making Architecture Count maths trails and Architexture. 

When: You can book a workshop to suit your needs, only Making Architecture Count trail dates are set in advance. 

Cost: £300 inclusive of materials The cost of bespoke projects is agreed on an individual basis in relation to funding. 

Size of Group: In our experience, pupils benefit more from the workshops if numbers are limited to between 15 and 20. If you require a workshop for above 20 pupils, 2 members of school staff should be available to help with the session.

Workshop Duration: All workshops are designed to run the length of the school day with the exception of Making Architecture Count and Shelter. See individual workshop details.

Booking: To book your workshop, please contact one of Northern Architecture's education team, Emma Kench or Sara Cooper on 0191 260 2191 e-mail: emma@northernarchitecture.com or sarac@northernarchitecture.com