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Crafts CouncilLearningCraft School

Material World


In Partnership With

Make a Sustainable Future with The Eden Project


In Partnership With

  • Craft education
  • Craft educator
  • Sustainable craft

Woodworking. Image by Elijah Serumaga.

Our nationwide challenge Craft School returns to classrooms across the UK. Our annual programme invites children, young people, their teachers and craft educators to engage with the power of craft thinking and making.

This year's competition is in partnership with The Eden Project- Cornwall's global garden. The eco attraction and education charity is home to the world's largest indoor rainforest and Mediterranean domes. The Eden Project is a global movement working with nature to respond to the planetary emergency.

Craft School: Material World invites learners to explore the natural and human-made materials around them and how they relate to their own heritage, community or the place where they live. Register by 14 February 2024 to take part.


  • Crafts Council workshop participants experiment with clay. Photo: Iona Wolff

  • Students visit the Crafts Council Gallery to see their work exhibited as part of Craft School: Yinka's Challenge

Who can take part?

Craft School: Material World is a free programme for education providers and learners from KS1 to KS4. Learners can participate individually or as collaborative groups to create a final artwork.

What will happen?

From September 2023, KS1 to KS4 learners are invited to make 3D works in response to three themes:

  1. Renewable Materials
    Making using found materials to explore local habitats and nature
  2. Creative Mending
    Explore ways to mend and combine materials to give them a new life
  3. Reclaim and Reuse
    Save materials that would otherwise become waste to tackle sustainability, climate justice and making practices from around the world

Each artwork should be submitted to the Crafts Council's Learning team. The submission deadline is 19 April 2024.

Submissions will be judged by an invited panel of craft experts. Winners from each key stage will be selected for an award.

The challenge will culminate in a live, online celebration event in June 2024

Throughout the challenge, we will provide free support to teachers and learners through a series of digital resources, videos and CPD sessions. Registered school staff will also be invited to attend online support sessions.

What should I submit?

There is no limit on the number of submissions per school. Digital submissions should include:

  • Two A3 sheets showing evidence of the learners’ making journey and ideas in response to their chosen brief. This can include whatever captures their personal journey best!
  • Maker statement: written 100 words or an audio file/video of up to 1 minute.

Schools will be offered further guidance on how to submit work.


  • Cardboard craft workshop at the Crafts Council Gallery, October 2021

  • Make Your Future celebration event at Central Saint Martins

How do I join in?

Please register online to take part in Craft School: Material World.

For more information please email our education manager Joanne Haywood at j_haywood@craftscouncil.org.uk

You can see last year's winners online now. We also recommend you join our Craft Educator Facebook Group to be kept updated on projects and resources.

Download resources
  • Teacher Toolkit.PDF (2991KB)Download
Register now

About Eden Project

The Eden Project connects us with each other and the living world, exploring how we can work towards a better future. They are an educational charity. Money raised supports transformational projects and learning programmes.

Craft School Supporters


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  • Access Art


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London N1 9BY

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