Learning events and workshops
Join us for workshops, tours and events for teachers and schools, families and learners of all ages.
While our digital resources are unavailable, our in-person and online events continue. So, whether you're planning a school trip or looking for a family-friendly activity, we can help.
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Young Sparks
A fun workshop programme for 14–17 year olds, supporting them to be creative, spark imaginations and forge connections with our collection. Our first workshops take place this August exploring animation and storytelling.
Young Creators Lab
An exciting digital content project for 18–24 year olds to develop meaningful stories for social media inspired by the Library's exhibitions and collection, sparking ideas and conversations online.
Medieval Women: In Their Own Words - Exhibition workshop
Learners will discover stories of medieval women through their own voices and experiences, during a workshop which takes place within this expansive exhibition. Students will explore the roles and impact of women during this time, whether as authors, artists, scribes, patrons, readers, wives, mothers, daughters, leaders, workers or makers.
90 minutes | English, English Literature, History | Secondary and FE: Years 7 – 13
Beyond the Bassline exhibition self-led visits
Let your students explore the many facets of Black British Music with a self-guided visit to this atmospheric exhibition. Make a day of it by booking alongside one of our facilitated workshops, such as Windrush Voices, Black British Literature or Sound Lab
90 minutes | English, English Literature, History, Music | Primary: Years 3 - 6 / Secondary and FE: Years 7 – 13
Self-guided visits
These flexible visits enable you to lead your group to explore our public spaces and Treasures Gallery. We provide a printed resource to support your visit with activities for learners and information about the Library for teachers
60 minutes | Primary: Years 3 - 6 / Secondary and FE: Years 7 - 13
Making Artists' Books
Learners will make their own artists' books in this hands-on workshop. They will discover what an artist's book is and why they are made
90 minutes | Art and Design | Primary: Years 3 - 6 / Secondary and FE: Years 7 - 13
Exploring Sacred Texts
This workshop explores the richness and diversity of sacred texts from different religions. Learners will look at special texts on display in our Treasures Gallery and engage with items from our digitised collection.
90 minutes | Religious Education | Primary: Years 4 - 6 / Secondary: Years 7 - 9
Windrush Voices
This session explores the arrival of the Empire Windrush in Essex in 1948 and the wider social and historical context of this moment. Students will investigate the experiences of Caribbean people who came to the UK in the 1950s and 1960s in sessions tailored to the ages of participants.
90 minutes | History, English Literature | Primary: Years 4 - 6 /Secondary and FE: Years 10 - 13
Once upon a Time: Tell a Story
Students take a well-known story and develop storytelling skills through performance, strengthening their literacy and language skills. These sessions have been made possible thanks to support from Old Possum's Practical Trust.
60 minutes | English, Literacy | Primary: Years 1 - 2
Once upon a Time: Make a Story
Students will create a new story as a class, developing their literacy and language skills through imaginative play. These sessions have been made possible thanks to support from Old Possum's Practical Trust.
60 minutes | English, Literacy | Primary: Years 1 - 2
Listen Up! Dive into Sound
Hear recordings from our sound archive, from environmental sounds and speeches. This workshop explores how sound can transform a space and capture the imagination.
90 minutes | English, Literacy, Cross-curricular | Primary: Years 4 - 6
Listen Up! Sound Lab
Students use a range of techniques to create, collect, amplify, mix, layer and record sound in this hands-on session.
90 minutes | Music, Cross-curricular, Well-being | Primary: Years 4 - 6
Research Matters
Information literacy, investigation, observation, questioning and source analysis techniques feature in this workshop on research skills.
90 minutes| Information Literacy, Cross-curricular | Primary: Years 5 - 6
Voyage into Maps
Students will explore maps on display in our Treasures Gallery, thinking critically about their many uses and styles.
90 minutes | Geography, Art and Design, History | Primary: Years 3 - 6
Sounds Familiar?
Uncover ways of analysing speech, accent and dialect. This session explores language change and variation, and regional vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar in the UK.
90 minutes | English Literature | Secondary and FE: Years 10 - 13
Exploring Black British Literature
Explore the rich history of Black writing and literature in Britain. Students will reflect on the plurality of themes in a variety of Black British texts using digitised manuscripts and recordings from our collection.
120 minutes | English Literature | Secondary and FE: Years 10 - 13
Develop Your Writing: RLF Bridge
This one-day workshop will improve students' confidence in academic writing. Run by Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellows.
All-day session | History, English Literature, Cross-curricular | Secondary and FE: Years 12 - 13
Write Here
Students will explore the Library and our Treasures gallery to gain inspiration in this creative writing workshop.
90 minutes | English | Primary: Years 3 - 6 / Secondary and FE: Years 7 - 13
More events
Discover one-off, free events on our See Tickets page.
Inspire your class with student study days and get inside the minds of famous authors.
Elizabeth and Mary: Royal Cousins, Rival Queens
Experience Tudor life and explore the turbulent relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. Delivered at Temple Newsam, Leeds - the birthplace of Mary's notorious husband, Lord Darnley.
All-day session | History | Secondary: Years 7 - 11
Write Like a Poet
Exclusive to LS postcodes
Learn new ways to tell stories through poetry. Respond to poems by James Berry, Grace Nichols and John Agard in this creative writing workshop. Delivered in your school.
English, Literacy | Primary: Years 3 - 6
Graphic Novels Dramatised
Exclusive to LS postcodes
Use drama to share stories in new ways. Explore the story and issues behind Sarah Garland's graphic novel, Azzi in Between, in our interactive drama workshop. Delivered in your school.
English, Literacy, Drama | Primary: Years 3 - 6
Sounds Like a Story
Exclusive to LS postcodes
Explore the role of sound in storytelling, with Sally Pomme Clayton and Amin Hassanzadeh Sharif's The Phoenix of Persia. Pupils will be introduced to vocal percussion and sound effect techniques. Delivered in your school.
English, Literacy, Music | Primary: Years 3 - 6
Sounds Familiar?
Uncover ways of analysing speech, accent and dialect. This session explores language change and variation, and regional vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar in the UK.
90 minutes | English Literature | Secondary and FE: Years 10 - 13
Develop Your Writing: RLF Bridge
This one-day workshop will improve students' confidence in academic writing. Run by Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellows.
All-day session | History, English Literature, Cross-curricular | Secondary and FE: Years 12 - 13
More events
Discover more of our online events on our See Tickets page.
Livestream famous authors into your classroom, grow your students’ skills with study days and deepen your knowledge with our teacher CPD events – all for free.
Books Uncovered
A group workshop designed for young people and adults with learning disabilities. Make and take away your own bound book and learn about the UK's national library.
90 minutes | Free | Age 16+
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Join us for an introduction to the British Library and our collection in this session for adult learner groups at all ESOL levels.
90 minutes | Free