We bring illustrators to your classroom to teach subjects across the curriculum in fun, fresh and creative ways. Our sessions are tailored to your topic and support students’ confidence, creativity, communication, fine motor skills and wellbeing.
Our workshops are delivered in your classroom by professional illustrator-educators. They have been rated good or excellent by 100% of teachers for over a decade.
Our workshops are:
- for all Primary stages from EYFS to KS2 and Secondary classes from KS3 to KS5
- for all abilities including SEND and EAL
- tailored to your topic, text, curriculum area or scheme of work
During workshops your students will:
- use a range of techniques with specialist materials that we provide
- be supported to make images their own way and reflect on the creative choices they make
- be inspired by professional illustrators, and shown how to find out more about illustration
- create outstanding outcomes that can be shared with your school community
Workshop options
Character Design (90 minutes)
Create characters from text descriptions or invent exciting new characters from your imagination! Just let us know the book you’re studying. Recent workshop topics have included Varjak Paw by S. F. Said, Egyptian gods and the Arctic. Great for humanities and English/literacy, or for your Art or Book Week.
Sequential Illustration (90 minutes)
Illustrate scientific processes or a series of events. Create and tell a visual story or create a visual version of an existing text. Recent workshop topics have included plant life cycles and the characters of Quentin Blake. Great for science, humanities and English/literacy.
Creating Mood and Atmosphere (90 minutes)
Explore techniques to convey feeling and setting. Recent workshops have included C. S. Lewis stories and South American forests. Great for humanities and English/literacy.
NEW sessions for 2024/25
Meet the Illustrator (90 minutes)
An opportunity to meet one of our illustrators, find out about their work and career path, and try some of their favourite techniques. At the end of the session your students will collaborate to curate a mini tabletop exhibition of their work. Great for Art, Careers or Book Week, or students considering art at GSCE and current GCSE students.
Meet the Illustrator (60 minutes)
For larger schools with a three-form intake we are offering a shorter version of this session. An opportunity to meet one of our illustrators, find out about their work and career path, and try some of their favourite techniques. Great for Art, Careers or Book Week, or students considering art at GSCE and current GCSE students.
The Coat of Many Pockets (45-60 minutes, EYFS/KS1/SEND)
Inspired by Quentin Blake’s beloved story Angelica Sprocket’s Pockets, this magical sensory story will take your students on a journey along London’s New River. We’ll bring the sights, sounds and smells of the river into your classroom with the aid of an expert storyteller, and leave you with a pack of illustration activities to support the story. Perfect for local history.
What Teachers Say
“The illustrator was clear, methodological and always in control – the whole experience was brilliant.” Year 6 teacher, Garfield Primary School
“The children were really engaged – they loved every part of the workshop. They created amazing posters and got the opportunity to use the knowledge they built up in class.” Year 3 teacher, Moreland Primary School
“The session was broken into sensible and manageable chunks, achieving the end result in half a day. There were clear instructions and students learnt fantastic new skills.” Year 5 teacher, St Andrews Primary School
Our facilitators
Our recent school workshops have been facilitated by Lily Ash Sakula, Grace Holliday, Jhinuk Sarkar, Julie Vermeille and Toya Walker.
Have questions for us? Contact us learning@qbcentre.org.uk.
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