Activities | School Visits
School Visits
The Barber Institute has a dedicated education department to provide workshops, talks, tours and study days for pupils of all ages during term time.
Visiting groups will use the galleries and the dedicated Education Room, with all materials supplied. All school services are free (unless stated otherwise).
Workshops
Available Monday - Friday 10.00 am - 12 noon
For pupils at Key Stage 1, 2 & 3
Recommended maximum group size: 30 (materials provided).
Using five or six works as inspiration, the Education Officer will introduce the pupils to a chosen theme in the galleries. Using storytelling and roleplay, pupils will be encouraged to form their own responses to art works and will develop analytical skills. Discussions are backed up by practical activities, which may include drawing and/or modelling.
Workshops available include Landscapes, Sculpture, Portraiture, Still-Life, and Stories in Art, but where possible, we will work to deliver a specially tailored workshop to a theme of your choice.
For older age groups, sessions can be tailor-made and can include a combination of discussion and practical activity. Further information and suggested topics are available from the Education Officer.
Pupils with Special Needs
The Barber welcomes visits by pupils of all ages with special needs. If you would like to discuss the requirements of an individual group, please call us and we can help you to plan a successful visit.
General Information
- All visits by groups of students should be booked in advance with the Education Officer. To avoid disappointment, workshops should be booked at least two terms in advance for primary schools and half a term in advance for secondary schools.
- Coaches and minibuses can deposit groups outside the main entrance to the Barber Institute. Parking is then available in the University's South Car Park on Edgbaston Park Road.
- The Education Room contains a cloakroom where bags and coats can be left, packed lunches can also be eaten here.
- Supervision should be one adult to every eight pupils for Keys Stages 1 & 2, and 1 adult to every twelve for Key Stages 3 & 4. N.B. Gallery staff cannot be counted as supervisory adults.
- Breaks are timetabled into all events and activities, as is time for lunch if necessary.
- Gallery Shop. There is a small gift shop at the Barber Insititute which pupils are welcome to visit. Because of its size we ask that only 10 children visit it at a time.
- General Rules. Due to the nature of the exhibitions we ask teachers to ensure that pupils do not touch the works of art and keep a reasonable distance at all times. We also ask you to be aware that the galleries are open to the general public, so where possible please ensure that the children know not to run, or be excessively noisy in the public areas.
For further information, please contact the Education Department on +44 (0) 121 414 7335. E-mail: B.C.Scholes@bham.ac.uk.