www.findschoolworkshops.co.uk
Follow this link to see information about school Polymer Clay Workshops

What you need to know:

My workshops are designed to slot smoothly into your school day, whilst giving your children a hands-on creative experience they'll remember.

First things first:

I have my Enhanced DBS Certificate.
I am fully insured up to £5,000,000
I am First Aid Trained (pending)
I have a Safeguarding Policy.
I have up to date risk assessments.
I have 40 years worth of experience in working with Polymer clay and 27 years of working in schools.

Who is able to access a Gill's Clay Creations Workshop?

Suitable for Nursery, Early Years, KS1 and KS2
Calm, nurturing, SEN-inclusive approach
Suitable for an Enrichment experience.
Can also be open to involving parents (or school governors) to encourage them into school

What will the children learn?

Each workshop is hands-on, structured and tailored to your curriculum needs.

They will learn how to:

How to use the tools and equipment safely. (I will go over my safety rules at the beginning of each group)
Condition the Polymer Clay (FIMO)
Create a variety of 2D and 3D shapes.
Add texture, pattern and details using a variety of tools and equipment.
Add patterns with the clay
Develop fine motor skills
Explore colour mixing and blending
Work independently and collaboratively

The workshops also impact other areas of the curriculum:

Maths... children will learn about fractions, half, eighths, les than, more than, equal to etc.
Art and Design...what colours are made when you mix two together, about different artists, symmetry, pattern etc.
Science...habitats, seasons,.
Geography...topics on places
Literacy ... creating stories about what they are making. New vocabulary, such as squash, roll, condition, tear drop etc.
Topic based learning... the subject of the art may be linked to what the child is learning in their class, i.e. mini beasts.
PSHE...Self Esteem, Resilience Confidence... this is particularly important as I want the child to have a good experience, to learn that they can do something new and to succeed, to feel proud of what they have made and to encourage them to see art as a way to express themselves.
This would be a good workshop to go towards your ArtsMark Award.

How much work will this create for me as a teacher:

I bring everything. All tools, equipment, Fimo clay, wipes and cleaning products.
All I need is a room where I can be based all day.
Tables and chairs for everyone.
NO APRONS are needed... it is a clean clay.
Lino or carpeted areas are suitable.
Can be a classroom, art room, dining hall (I can pack away if necessary for lunch)
It often helps if I have a member of stall with me, but it is not absolutely necessary, especially if the group is small.
I will send you a timetable with numbers of children in each group and a breakdown of timings.
NO COVERINGS for the tables.
I handle room set up, delivery, behaviour management and clean up.

How will the workshop be run:

I show the children step-by-step how to form the shape.
I will go to their table for a close up demonstration
I have work sheets pinned up on the wall, images and examples to send round.

How long will the workshop last?

This depends on:

What the topic is?
How many children you want to be involved?
What your school budget is?

OPTIONS:

It can be one class of 30 for the whole day. Class split onto 6 groups of 5. 45 mins per group. This is a more in-depth, and detailed workshop as there are fewer children per group.
It can be 3 classes of 30 for the whole day(can be the same year group) Class split into 6 groups of 15. Each group would make the same thing.
It can be a whole school workshop. For example... 7 classes of 30. Reception and Y1 classes would be split into 2 groups of 15, then the other classes taught as a whole group. Each class would be making something different. The group timings would be shorter... about 25 mins per class.

What could the timetable look like... Here's an example:

This can be a bit flexible, depending on your school.

9.10 - 9.50

9.55 - 10.35

10.40 - 11.20

11.25 - 12.00

1.10 - 1.45

1.50 - 2.20

2.25 - 3.00

What's the purpose of the artwork?

It could be a collaboration piece. Where each child makes something and it all goes onto one picture.
It could be that each child's piece of work is mounted for display in school, then they can take them home.
It could be a mixture of both of the above... where the child makes two items, one for the main collaborative picture and one to take home.

If it is a collaboration piece...where is the artwork going to be displayed? In the entrance to the school, or by each Key Stage or each classroom.

What can they make?

Here are some examples of recent workshops that I have done:

List of Projects Available

This list is designed to give you a general idea of projects that I have done, some of them numerous times, and the approximate ages that I did them with. These can all be altered to meet the needs of your particular project.

3D Penguins - Suitable for a display on Cold Places /Hot and Cold
Under The Sea - looking at the creatures/plants that live in that environment
Shape Mobile/Wall Hanging - Looking at shapes, textures/pattern making Nursery/Rec
Memory Tiles - Favourite memories of School Y6
Mini Enterprise - Setting up your own business, advertising, marketing, etc Y5/Y6
Where I Feel at Home - Tiles looking at self esteem, comfort, feelings Y5/Y6
Nature Vessels - Looking at nature, flowers and mini beasts Rec/Y1/Y2
Lowry - Looking at the style of this artist, making figures/school/buildings Y4 to Y6
Buildings - Making their local buildings out of clay Y2/Y3
Nature Picture - each class makes animals/flora and fauna/ etc All school
Mexican Bowls - Mexico inspires vessels Y3/Y6
African Bowls - African inspired vessels Y3
Gaudi Mosaic - Vessels or pictures inspired by this Spanish artist Y1 to Y4
Mini Beasts Picture - making a nature picture with mini beasts and bugs Y2
Bible Stories - Large pictures depicting favourite stories from the bible Y3 to Y6
Enchanted Forest - Mythical, fairies, imaginary animals Y3 to Y6
Welcome Sign - Welcome to School or to Key Stage Area ie KS1 Rec to Y2
Potion Bottles - designing and creating vessels and pots Y3
Toys - Past and present Y1
Fairy Story Wolves - Red Riding Hood/Three Pigs (2d pictures) Y2
The Romans Y4
Staffordshire Pottery Tiles - Tile inspired welcome to (name of school) sig Y2 to Y6
The Demon Dentist - Artwork inspired by the David Walliams book Y4
Mythical Beasts Pictures Y3
Elizabethan Jewellery Y5
School Building and Grounds Picture with children Y2 to Y6
Bees, Honey comb and Flowers Project Rec to Y6
Christmas Ornaments for School Fair Y3 to Y6