Workshops for schools

Workshops for primary schools, secondary schools and more

Workshops for schools

Workshops for primary schools, secondary schools and more

Our workshops are suitable for primary schools and more

At Osun Arts we deliver primary school workshops and secondary school workshops. Our workshops are also suitable for schools catering for children with additional educational needs.

We employ a number of teachers to help ensure our workshops meet all the learning objectives schools require.

Although all our educational workshops are suitable for all ages and abilities, we tailor each one to whichever school we are working with.

We are not an agency; this means that as an artists-led organisation, we personally know every artist who works for us, with many having performed together on stage for many years.

We provide school workshops which help bring different cultures together.

We believe that the power of musical participation and collaboration can enhance the understanding of different cultures in our multi-cultural society.

Osun Arts takes advantage of the school environment to improve working with others and challenge racial stereotypes.

Our primary school workshops provide an unusual experience for the majority of participants within a classroom situation. We inspire the children to be involved within performances – even those who may feel awkward in a workshop situation.

The artists encourage and engender a warm atmosphere among the pupils of every school we work with.

In one instance, a headteacher said that, during one of our school workshops, a child spoke and smiled in front of the whole class after previously having found it difficult to relate to other children since joining the school.

Our workshops for secondary schools and primary school often end in a performance and cover many areas.

At Osun Arts, we deliver workshops in all manner of areas. We deliver workshops for schools in African drumming, performances, contemporary African dance, mask making and even anti-bullying.

Osun is all about participation not perfection, so many of our school workshops end in a performance, with pupils often donning authentic African costumes and parents and teachers getting involved too!

We see every performance as a celebration of the activities learned and an opportunity for the pupils to show off their new skills.

In our experience, the sessions are fun, supportive and friendly, and live long in the memory of all involved.

All our workshops

African dance workshop for schools

Our African dance workshop is suitable for primary schools and secondary schools.

Pupils are taught original African dance techniques, accompanied by live drumming, while wearing traditional African clothing.

They come to understand the importance of the communication between the dancers and the drummer and the whole workshop is geared towards a final performance in the school.

Mask-making workshop for schools

Our mask-making workshop is suitable for primary schools and secondary schools.

Masks and bronze sculptures are centrally identified with African culture. They are largely used to represent animals, as some African tribes believe that the wearing of the mask can help them communicate with the animals and spirits of the forest. In West Africa, they are used in masquerades, a cultural event such as a ceremony where the masks are worn to embody the entity that the mask represents.

This is a hugely popular part of our programme, giving pupils the tools to be creative in the shaping of the mask and to display them as part of an exhibition. First, we show the pupils representations of African masks and sculpture and the stories behind them. With the use of clay, papier mâché, or plaster, the pupils create the masks and then paint them afterwards.

Storytelling and language workshop for schools

Our storytelling workshop is suitable for primary schools and secondary schools. The benefits of learning a new language are well known; with Osun pupils can learn local languages and dialects from all over Africa.

Starting off with simple words and phrases, we then move onto longer sentences with the aim of pupils having short conversations with each other.

Pupils are shown visual aids such as posters and photos, and films and music recordings can also be provided to enhance the learning experience.

Children love to practise their new language skills on friends and parents, and in addition, they will learn more about Africa and how speech is used within the different dialects.

Tie-dye workshop for schools

Our tie-dye workshop is suitable for primary schools and secondary schools.

Tie Dye techniques have been used for centuries in the western part of Africa and the technique is an easy and effective way to introduce pupils into the art of African clothing design.

Children are allowed to be as creative as they want in designing their patterns to be created on fabrics with dyes.

Our aim is to familiarise the pupils with the use of African tie-dye and dye-making and to give a brief background into its origins.

Pupils love seeing their creations come to life through the use of fabric which will give them something to treasure and wear in the future.

African drama workshop for schools.

Our African drama workshop is suitable for primary schools and secondary schools.

At Osun, we believe that drama is a key concept in encouraging community, boosting children’s confidence and promoting the values of listening and consideration – while being fun for everyone concerned.

Our drama workshops use short light-hearted plays which educate participants about aspects of African history.

After listening to a selection of traditional African short stories and selecting a favourite, pupils use music, song, and dance to turn it into their very own drama. We can also provide authentic African costumes to make it even more fun!

The workshop gives children the opportunity to learn traditional songs and practise simple African dialogue as well as learning dance routines rarely seen outside of Africa.

African cookery workshop for schools.

Our African cookery workshop is suitable for primary schools and secondary schools.

Our sessions aren’t just fun for all involved, they promote healthy food, using traditional African foodstuffs and indigenous spices and herbs which many pupils have not encountered before.

The Osun chef talks the children through all the ingredients, demonstrates how to prepare and eat the food – and then it’s over to the children!

Pupils will be guided through the process of creating a selection of nutritious meals, catering also for vegetarians, before laying a table in the real African tradition.

Music can also be provided while everyone settles down to eat. Pupils go home not only with memories of an African style meal, but with real life skills they will be able to put to good use in the future.

However we can help you, get in touch.

Whether you're looking to book us for your school, your community group or just want to find out more about what we could do for you, we'd love to hear from you.

Give us a call on 0151 922 2911 or send us an email using the form. We can't wait to hear from you!

Get In Touch

    However we can help you, get in touch.

    Whether you're looking to book us for your school, your community group or just want to find out more about what we could do for you, we'd love to hear from you.

    Give us a call on 0151 922 2911 or send us an email using the form. We can't wait to hear from you!