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Crafts CouncilLearningCraft learning resources

Secondary school

Hands-on making tutorials, lesson plans and guidance for Art & Design, Design & Technology and cross curricular activity.


  • Making tutorials
  • Craft education
  • Resources

Pupils from a Leeds secondary school, presenting work at a Make Your Future celebration event. Photo: Caroline Heron

Key stage 3+

The science of clay

Explore the science of clay: how it’s made and what it tells us about the earth; the science behind kiln firing; and uses for ceramics from face masks to aerospace engineering.

Download
  • The Science of clay: learning resource.PDF (8.3MB)Download

Ceramics teaching

A guide to using clay in the classroom, drawing on the legacy of our Firing Up project. Information on ceramic processes and equipment, kilns and firing, creative projects, curriculum links and health and safety.

Download
  • Firing Up: ceramics handbook.PDF (9.4MB)Download

Craft map

An illustrated map to help you identify the craft organisations and resources in your local area.

Download
  • My craft map: illustrated resource.PDF (4.8MB)Download

Design like Tatty Devine

A Key Stage 3 Design Technology resource inspired by jewellery designers Tatty Devine. Use Tatty Devine’s design process - from mood boarding through to branding - to create your own original jewellery concepts.

Download
  • Design like Tatty Devine: KS3 challenge.PDF (5.1MB)Download

Discover careers in craft

A myth busting resource that highlights the broad range of careers in craft alongside facts and stats about the sector that may surprise you.

Download
  • Discover careers in craft: schools pack.PDF (7.3MB)Download

Reflective diary for educators

A creative diary for educators to support reflective teaching practice

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  • Reflective diary for educators: template.PDF (8.1MB)Download

Pewter casting

Discover pewter casting in the classroom in our fifty-minute lesson plan. Design and Technology activity, for Key Stage 3 and above, ages 11+

Download
  • Pewter casting: KS3 lesson plan.PDF (8.7MB)Download

Weaving on a cardboard loom

Discover weaving on a cardboard loom in the classroom in our fifty-minute lesson plan. Design and Technology activity, for Key Stage 3 and above, ages 11+

Download
  • Weaving: KS3 lesson plan.PDF (1.1MB)Download

No sew clothes
Be inspired by fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto to make your own no-sew piece of clothing—just by folding, pleating and pinning. Design and Technology activity, for Key Stage 3 and above, ages 11+

Download
  • No sew clothes: KS3 lesson plan.pdf (241kb)Download
  • No sew clothes: moodboard.pdf (956kb)Download

Discovering Bauhaus

Explore the Bauhaus movement and challenge yourself to recreate one of Josef Albers’ geometric paper sculptures. Art and Design activity for Key Stage 3 and above, ages 11+

Download
  • Discovering Bauhaus: KS3 lesson plan.pdf (282kb)Download
  • Discovering Bauhaus: moodboard.pdf (1.9mb)Download

Key stage 4+

Texture
Experiment with texture in your art, craft and design work. Create a series of samples that will help build your understanding of surface techniques. Art and Design activity for Key Stage 4 and above, ages 14+

Download
  • Texture: KS4 lesson plan.pdf (264KB)Download
  • Texture: artist profiles.pdf (265kb)Download
  • Texture: moodboard.pdf (554kb)Download

Creative collaboration

Take inspiration from artists and designers who have produced work together to create your own collaboration with a friend. Art and Design activity for Key Stage 4 and above, ages 14+

Download
  • Collaboration: KS4 lesson plan.pdf (246kb)Download
  • Collaboration: moodboard.pdf (760kb)Download

Design for good

Design thinking and creative problem-solving, using materials and equipment found in your home. Design and Technology activity for Key Stage 4 and above, ages 14+

Download
  • Design for good: KS4 lesson plan.pdf (245kb)Download
  • Design for good: moodboard.pdf (298kb)Download

Redesign challenge
Challenge yourself to redesign an everyday object, using sketching and model making. Design and Technology activity for Key Stage 4 and above, ages 14+

Download
  • Redesign challenge: KS4 lesson plan.pdf (245kb)Download
  • Redesign challenge: moodboard.pdf (394kb)Download

Key stage 5+

Space, place and people

How does your environment make you feel? In this project you’ll explore the relationship between space and emotion. Art and Design activity for Key Stage 5 and above, ages 16+

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  • Space, place and people: KS5 lesson plan.pdf (kb274)Download
  • Space, place and people: artist profile.pdf (273kb)Download
  • Space, place and people: moodboard.pdf (832kb)Download

Working with constraints

Can limiting your materials increase your creativity? See what you can create using only cardboard. Art and Design activity for Key Stage 5 and above, ages 16+

Download
  • Working with constraints: KS5 lesson plan.pdf (231kb)Download
  • Working with constraints: moodboard.pdf (2mb)Download

Disruptive design

Use design as a force for positive change by disrupting and redesigning existing systems or products to solve social challenges. Design and Technology activity for Key Stage 5 and above, ages 16+

Download
  • Disruptive design: KS5 lesson plan.240 (kbpdf)Download
  • Disruptive design: moodboard.pdf (1.7mb)Download

Speculative design
Dive into speculative design - consider possible futures and solve problems that haven't happened yet. Design and Technology activity for Key Stage 5 and above, ages 16+

Download
  • Speculative design: KS5 lesson plan.pdf (kb260)Download
  • Speculative design: moodboard.pdf (641kb)Download

Guidance and support

Schools reopening advice

Read the Crafts Council's guidance for schools reopening in September 2020, including pandemic adjustments to delivering craft in the classroom.

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  • Schools reopening advice.PDF (855KB)Download

Crafters with special educational needs and disabilities

Guidance to help teachers and craft educators ensure craft activities are accessible for learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

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  • Crafters with SEND.PDF (3.5MB)Download

Craft educators for schools

A list of craft educators who have delivered workshops through the Crafts Council's Make Your Future programme and are available to work with secondary schools nationwide.

Download
  • Craft educators for schools: craft workshops.PDF (2.3MB)Download

Craft skills progression framework

A craft skills progression framework for Early Years Foundation Stage to Key Stage 2.

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  • Craft skills progression framework.PDF (218KB)Download

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