Creativity is a key skill that needs to be nurtured in school – so here’s our pick of the best art, craft and STEAM workshops
Jenny Leonard – art workshops
Freelance artist Jenny Leonard runs virtual art workshops to help pupils explore their natural creativity through simple sketching and drawing techniques. Jenny’s two-hour sessions aim to focus minds across different activities, including ‘Zentangle’ pattern-drawing, mandala drawing and drawing to classical music. She can also run in-person workshops in schools around London (when restrictions are lifted), tailored to suit a particular topic or theme. Jenny is DBS checked and can also help evidence a school’s Artsmark award. jennyleonardart.com
STEAM Co. – mini creativity days
Inspired by Sir Ken Robinson and Camp Bestival, STEAM Co. co-founder Nick Corston got together with other parents, local businesses and teachers to run mini creativity festivals focused around the core skills of science, technology, engineering, art and maths. Children can try coding, spin-painting and rocket-making, and even building an electric car. Support from Arts Council England and The National Lottery often enable events to run at a reduced cost, or even free-of-charge in some school communities. steamco.org.uk
Darcy Turner – sculpture workshops
Darcy Turner runs sculpture and construction workshops for schools. The hands-on, engaging workshops are designed to spark creative thinking, learning and team-building through sculpture, art and engineering. Options include making beautiful wire-and-tape sculptures, crafting weatherproof wire outdoor sculptures, and engineering with newspaper ‘stixx’ construction, utilising Darcy’s own invention that rolls old newspaper into strong, sustainable building rods. Wire and tape sessions can also run via Zoom. darcyturner.com