Schools Online: Free Resources

We regularly produce free teachers’ resources for the exhibitions and some permanent displays. Visit the Schools Online database for current packs.

Schools and Teachers

A microsite dedicated to schools and teachers, including information on the schools and teachers programmes at all four Tate galleries and free resources for teaching art in the classroom, from Teachers' Packs to teacher training.

Tate Teachers

Tate Teachers is a continuing professional development programme that runs across all four Tate galleries. It embraces the role that art can play in your professional life and in the lives of your pupils The programme aims to complement and extend classroom practice, joining up gallery- and school-based learning, working in partnership with you to develop subject knowledge about, and approaches to, historic, modern and contemporary art.

Tate Tools

Tate Tools are free interactive whiteboard materials related to the KS2 and 3 Art and Design curriculum. There are six modules to download and use as part of your classroom teaching.

Tate Collections and Research Pages

Search the Tate Collection electronically by artist, art historical grouping or by ‘subject’. This simple, intuitive route into the Collection becomes even more powerful through the ‘find’ and ‘combine’ options to explore relationships between works. Invaluable for pre-visit planning and student research.

The Art Gallery Handbook

The Art Gallery Handbook: A Resource for Teachers is an indispensable new resource for teachers. Taking as its starting point the unique experience of encountering an artwork first-hand, the book contains both practical ideas and background information including:

• A learner-centred approach that supports and extends the National Curriculum
• Tried and tested methods for engaging with artworks
• A wealth of suggestions for gallery and classroom-based activities
• Activities that are fully adaptable to both schemes of work and the needs of pupils
• Ideas for cross-curricular work
• Top tips on how to prepare for and follow up a visit
• A ‘behind the scenes’ exploration
• Specially-commissioned contributions from contemporary artists
• A visit planner available to photocopy
• A handy pocket-sized resource to support gallery-based teaching
• An overview of art practices and the history of galleries

Fully illustrated in colour with an exciting and accessible design, The Art Gallery Handbook is an inspirational toolkit, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable gallery experience with clear learning outcomes. Developed through close consultation with teachers and pupils, this book has been devised with Key Stages 1–3 in mind; however the ideas and activities will be invaluable for all teachers regardless of previous experiences of teaching through art.

Available from all good bookshops (ISBN 1 85437 6756, £14.99) or post-free from Tate Publishing. Call 020 7887 8869 or email tgpl@tate.org.uk, quoting ref ED02.

Teachers’ Kits

Tate Britain Teachers’ Kits are essential handbooks for working with Tate’s national collection. Written with teachers, they are packed with ideas and activities to help you plan and follow up a successful visit. Background information, questioning frameworks and transferable skills for analysing artworks, plus a set of 18 A4, in-depth colour Key Work Cards for classroom use mean the Kits have a long shelf life. Priced £12.99 from Tate Shops.

Tate Key Work Card Packs

These themed packs are for use in the classroom, as each card focuses on a particular work from Tate’s collection. One side has a high quality full-colour image of the work, the other, background information, ideas for discussion and links to other artists and ideas. Three themes of 12 cards are available: Portraits and Identity, Landscape and Environment, and Sculpture and Installations. Priced £9.99 from Tate Shops.

Student Sketchbook Resource

Your Brain on the Page: A Students’ Guide to Using a Sketchbook in the Gallery supports KS4 and KS5 students’ individual learning in the gallery. Good for personal studies research and exam preparation. Priced £3.50 from Tate Shops.

Tate Shops

An impressive range of art books as well as items for school children. Please note: students under 16 can only go into the shops in small groups accompanied by adults. Call 020 7887 8876 (Tate Britain shop) or 020 7401 5167 (Tate Modern shop) or visit the Teaching Resources section of the online shop.

Educational Discounts

The shops offer a 10% discount on all library and school orders if you have an account – open one through the Tate Shops phone numbers above. There is also a mail order service. Both shops open before general trading hours for school or college librarians; call the shops to arrange this.