Learning events, workshops and resources
Join us for workshops, tours and events for teachers and schools, families and learners of all ages.
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Discovering Literature
Explore 100 of our best-loved articles, perfect for teachers of Years 10 - 13. Not all our digital resources are available, so we've prioritised those we know teachers use the most.
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.
Exhibition workshop – Medieval Women: In Their Own Words
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 - 11
Sensory Storytelling – Medieval Women: In Their Own Words
Students will follow in the footsteps of queens and leaders, wives and daughters, artists and writers on a journey through the exhibition. In this storyteller led workshop, they will learn about the life of a famous woman through a series of opt-in sensory experiences and be encouraged to express their own creativity.
60 minutes | History, English | Primary: Years 1 - 3
Study Day – A Silk Road Oasis: Life in Ancient Dunhuang
How connected was the medieval world? Trade, diplomacy, arts and culture. In this study day learners will have the opportunity to explore a series of historical objects and documents acquired from one of the Magao Caves in China. Discover how cities like Dunhuang set the basis to shape the world and today’s international connections between countries. Please note, a 90-minute version of the study day is available on Thursday mornings upon request.
Full day | History, Sociology, RE | Secondary and FE: Years 7 - 13 / Chinese A-level
Sensory Storytelling – A Silk Road Oasis: Life in Ancient Dunhuang
Students will follow in the footsteps of artists and scribes, merchants and fortune-tellers, diplomats, Buddhists and nuns connected to the oasis of Dunhuang, at the edge of the Gobi Desert. This storyteller-led session features a series of opt-in sensory experiences where learners will be encouraged to express their own creativity.
60 minutes | History, English | Primary: Years 1 - 3. Please note, self-guided visits can be booked for years 4 - 6
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. Self-guided visits to temporary exhibitions are also available.
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 7 - 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 Primary
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
Research Matters Secondary
Help your students hone their research skills and information literacy with this hands-on workshop designed to support A-level students and those studying the Extended Project Qualification. Demystify the process and empower young people to conduct independent research.
90 minutes | Extended Project Qualification, cross-curricular | Secondary and FE: Years 12 - 13
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.
90 minutes | English Literature | Secondary and FE: Years 10 - 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 Eventbrite 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
What makes a poem? Do they have to rhyme? Can they be silly? Explore the joy of writing and responding to poetry in this creative workshop. Delivered in your school.
In this workshop, pupils will:
- Learn the importance of drafting
- Use word games to generate ideas
- Write their own poem on a topic of their choice
English, Literacy | Primary: Years 3 - 7
Refugee’s Journey: A Drama Workshop
Exclusive to LS postcodes
Use spoken language, visual literacy and reading comprehension to creatively explore and understand the experiences of refugees as they settle in a new country. Inspired by Sarah Garland's heartwarming graphic novel, Azzi in Between. Delivered in your school.
In this workshop, pupils will:
- Learn about the experiences of refugees
- Use drama activities to explore space and characterisation
- Perform their own production of the text
English, Literacy, Drama | Primary: Years 3 - 6
Musical Storytellers
Exclusive to LS postcodes
Use your vocabulary, oracy and comprehension skills to create music for Sally Pomme Clayton and Amin Hassanzadeh Sharif's book, The Phoenix of Persia. This workshop combines literacy with music for a fun and engaging experience. Delivered in your school.
In this workshop, pupils will:
- Learn how music can help us understand a story
- Think about how characters can be portrayed through sound
- Use their comprehension skills to create music based on the text
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
More events
Discover more of our online events on our Eventbrite 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