Workshops For Schools & Colleges

RicNic offers a variety of performing arts and creative careers support workshops for young people looking to enter into the creative industries, or needing creative approaches to upskilling and developing their employability.

For more information and to enquire about pricing or availability, please email [email protected]

Aspire

A creative design session which encourages participants to open up conversations around aspirations, ambitions and life goals.  Participants are given a small blank tile (wooden or card) and asked to create a design on one side which represents their dream job or life goal.  On the reverse, they are asked to write 3-5 steps they can take towards achieving that goal.  Facilitators work with participants to talk more about those ambitions and suggest ways in which they might be achievable.  Participants are invited to present their work and their goals to the group at the end of the session.  All tiles are put together in a mural of work to highlight the shared ambition of a class or group.

  • Asks the ‘what would you love to do in the future’ question
  • Supports young people in their ideas and goals
  • Raises aspirations
  • Is inclusive to all 
  • Can be adapted to careers, health and wellbeing, etc
  • Supports Gatsby Benchmarks 3 & 4

Engage

This creative workshop session tasks participants with planning an event to fit with a particular client brief.  Working in small groups, participants are asked to devise an idea to fit a target audience, budget and theme.  Groups have the opportunity to design artwork to promote their idea and take on specific responsibilities within their project team.  All groups are invited to pitch their ideas to others during the session, receiving feedback and answering questions on their pitch. 

Duration: Minimum 90 minutes but can be adapted to longer programmes, allowing more time for developing ideas and creating a pitch.

  • Builds teamwork and communication skills
  • Problem solving
  • Presentation skills
  • Explores early budgeting
  • Can be tailored to all ages – recommended from Key Stage 2 and up
  • Can be tailored to corporate training opportunities
  • Can be tailored to all ages.  Works well with KS3 looking at early careers
  • Supports Gatsby Benchmarks 4, 5 & 6

Cultivate

A mock interview project, in which students prepare in advance for an interview in a chosen field before undergoing an interview with a panel.  Students are then given personalised feedback on their interview approach and a group workshop session looking at techniques for making interviews positive experiences.

This can be supported by a CV writing session for more in depth engagement.

  • Puts participants into real-world scenarios of interviewing for a panel of unknown faces
  • Offers support and guidance to take forward to genuine interview situations
  • Explores both online and in person interview situations
  • Aims to build confidence and resilience
  • Raise awareness of the recruiter’s experience and reasons around why you may/may not be successful
  • Supports Gatsby Benchmarks 3, 5 & 8

Enterprise

Following a social enterprise model, this workshop challenges participants to devise a project and then deliver it to a chosen audience.  Working in departments, they will take on specific roles and responsibilities, learning how everyone’s contributions are valid and have an impact on others.  The project focuses on peer-to-peer learning, with different groups passing on ideas and skills to be taken up by other groups.

  • Minimum delivery time 1 day (longer periods allow for more development and learning)
  • Suitable for Year 6 to adult
  • Ideal project for end of Year 6, SEND students developing skills
  • Supports Gatsby Benchmarks 3, 5 & 6

Story Tents

Story-making workshops for ages 3-7 years supporting early literacy skills, school readiness, creative writing & communication. Available to book for schools, nurseries, childcare & community settings.

Story Tents began as an idea created by young people in our RicNic Foundry after-school clubs. Support from our lovely partners helped us to develop the idea, find professional artists to create our tents and take them out on tour.

The project aims to

  • Encourage EYFS and KS1 children to create and structure stories, exploring descriptive language, characters, settings, problems and resolutions
  • Develop communciation skills through imaginative play
  • Promote listening to and working with others

Each workshop includes

  • Supporting resources and takeaway worksheets
  • Decorated teepee play tents set up around our play campfire to inspire stories
  • A selection of puppets, props and stimulus materials
  • A professional facilitator to lead the session and support children to develop their own story ideas

Creative Careers Exploration

RicNic are currently developing an interactive student-led platform exploring creative careers, transferable skills, and potential career paths based on hobbies and interests. This will be accompanied by worksheets and other resources, providing a package of independent study relating to creative careers. We expect this to launch in approximately October 2025. If you would like to be a pilot organisation for this, please email [email protected]

Supports Gatsby Benchmarks 2, 3 & 4