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Develop your students' knowledge and understanding of Art and Design with a visit to Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village. Through interactive tours, observational sketching and practical workshops we provide and facilitate a space for pupils to develop confidence, be inspired and gain understanding of our collection and Art and Design more broadly. Our offer of immersive and conversational gallery tours and artist-led workshops brings Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village alive and continues our founders vision of Art for All.
With our vast collection of Art, Design, Temporary Exhibitions and Historical Buildings at the Watts Gallery to explore, choose from two strands for 2023-2024, with further details below.
Interactive Tour: Discover the Historic Galleries with a focus on the Artworks by G F Watts. A Museum Educator will lead the group in exploring a variety of artworks which could cover a range of topics starting from as early as his Self-Portrait at the Age of 17, to the symbolic and protest Paintings painted in his later career. This tour will also introduce the De Morgan Collection which will be the focal point for the practical workshop.
Observational sketching: William De Morgan Collection
1 hour practical creative workshop:
- Relief Printmaking (Styrofoam) OR
- Monoprinting (Gelli Plates)*maximum of 30 children per day
Interactive Tour: With one of our Museum Educators, uncover the stories of Limnerslease, The Artists’ Home and Studio's. This tour will introduce both Mary Watts and G F Watts, bringing to life their story through exploring their home and working studios. Pupils will focus time on exploring Mary Watts as a designer, ceramicist and businesswoman.
Observational Sketching: Limnerslease House
- Gesso Tiles (Modroc relief tiles) OR
- Pottery (Clay Tiles) *maximum of 30 children per day
Both the Art Detective and Design Apprentice sessions are suitable and tailored to the ability of the pupils across KS1 up to KS3. Where possible we always encourage a conversation with the lead teacher to develop an understanding of curriculum links or themes you would like your visit to link with back in the classroom.
For Key Stages 4+ and colleges, we specialise in offering an adapted and advanced version of our outlined sessions, as well as tailoring elements to meet your classroom focus. Please contact schools@wattsgallery.org.uk directly to discuss.
We will be accepting groups of up to 60 pupils on site*, per day from October 2023. We host school groups on Wednesday’s and Thursday’s. Our minimum adult to child ratio is 1:8, with the exception of children with 1 to 1 support to counted as an addition to the outlined ratio.
The cost of a visit is £150+VAT for state schools and £210+VAT for independent schools, for each class, up to 30 pupils. All materials, admission and use of lunch space included.
Across 2024, with generous support from the Clore Duffield Foundation, we are able to offer a bursary scheme to open up opportunities for more local schools to visit Watts Gallery on a school trip. Find out if you're eligible for this bursary.
Book in your school visit by filling out the form below and sending to schools@wattsgallery.org.uk
Once we have received your enquiry form, (Please allow five working days for us to respond to your initial enquiry) we will check, and hopefully confirm a date with you before drawing up a Booking Form, which will include a detailed timetable and further practical details for you.
"We had a fantastic day; it was very well organised and kept the students on their toes with activities. The tour was great, and we learnt so much. Watts Gallery has so much to offer, I will definitely be coming back."
~ Course Tutor at Farnborough College of Technology, visited in March 2023
"Thank you for a fantastic trip to the Watts Gallery - I was so impressed by the resources that the gallery offered. Staff were incredibly kind and knowledgeable. The sculpture workshop was superb! The [students] loved it and I will be bringing future classes along to visit the gallery! The best trip I have been on in my 4 years of teaching!! Thank you so much!"
~ Primary school teacher, visited in June 2022
"The Gallery was really inspiring for my Final Major Project. Especially the Evelyn De Morgan Paintings. There was such a strong sense of community which made the experience welcoming and very enjoyable, everyone was so helpful and friendly."
~ Student from Farnborough College of Technology, visited in March 2023
We are now closed for applications for Summer 2024 and are reviewing our work experience offer for next year.
If you are looking for something slightly different, and are aged 16 or over, why not take a look at volunteering with us.
Please look at what our previous Work Experience Students had to say about their time with us!
If you are interested in finding out about further information on the following partnerships, please contact us through schools@wattsgallery.org.uk
Delight in WattsWe are part of Delight in Watts; an arts-based learning programme run by Delight charity, in partnership with Watts Gallery – Artists' Village, Paintbox and selected primary schools across Surrey.
ARTiculationWe are a partner of ARTiculation; the National Gallery’s nationally acclaimed public speaking initiative for young people, designed to promote the appreciation and discussion of visual culture.
Arts AwardsWe are an Arts Award centre and Artsmark partner. Contact us to find out more about how we can support your students to achieve Arts Award qualifications and your school on your Artsmark journey.
Art BytesWe have partnered with Art Bytes to be this year’s Southeast host for their celebration event in June 2023. A national EdTech programme giving young participants the opportunity to see their art exhibited online and engage with new technology from the classroom.
We plan bespoke training days for your department or whole school, which can be conducted online, in school or at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village. Contact us to discuss your requirements and to develop ideas with our team.
Sign up to regular teacher mailings to be the first to receive invitations to events and hear about artist projects and opportunities.
Resources can be found on our Learning Resource page.
During the Summer term, Watts Gallery Artists’ Village is offering a week-long placement for young people looking to gain an insight into working in a gallery or museum setting.
Led by the Learning and Engagement team, but with opportunities to work alongside other departments, our Work Experience programme is open to all Year 12 students studying at school or college.
If you are interested in undertaking your work experience with us, please fill out the application form below and return it to learning@wattsgallery.org.uk by Sunday 18th February.
We will aim to get back to all applications by Friday 1st March.
We are committed to ensuring the process in which we offer work experience is fair and accessible, so we will not be offering work experience outside of this offer.
To apply, please download and fill out the application form above.
Hear about schools visits, projects and workshops at Watts Gallery - Artists' Village.