Unleash your creativity and explore the world of heritage crafts and conservation with an exciting series of hands-on workshops for Year 10–12 students.

This exciting programme is designed to introduce students to career pathways in conservation and heritage crafts through hands-on workshops and expert-led sessions. Students will learn traditional techniques, develop practical skills, and gain valuable insights into the importance of preserving cultural heritage. Working directly with industry professionals, they’ll explore real-world challenges and discover the wide range of career opportunities available in this fascinating and vital field.

Programme Details

Designed to inspire future makers and conservators, this series of six one-day workshops will be hosted at three iconic London City Churches.

Dates and Locations:

  • 15th and 16th May at St Katherine Cree (86 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3A 3BP)
  • 22nd and 23rd May at St Mary at Hill (Lovat Lane, London EC3R 8EB)
  • 12th and 13th June at St Botolph’s Aldgate (Aldgate High Street, London EC3N 1AB)

Time: 10:00am – 2:30pm

Target Audience: Year 10 to Year 12 students interested in careers in conservation, heritage crafts, and making

Cost: FREE – Fully Funded Places Available for 250 Students from London Schools

Teachers: This programme is perfect for students interested in design, technology, history and the arts. It’s an invaluable opportunity for young people exploring career pathways in these fields. Don’t miss out — reserve your free places now!

Download the Full Programme

 

What’s in store

  • Workshops on a range of heritage crafts, including gilding, illumination, stained glass, carving, lettering cutting, lime mortar and more, led by industry professionals.
  • Have-a-go activities (four per day) where students can work on their own craft pieces and learn conservation techniques.
  • Discussions about the importance of preserving heritage and its real-life applications.
  • Meet the Experts: Students will collaborate with leading craftspeople and learn from their experience.
  • Based in historic City churches, students will observe applied crafts and explore conservation needs in these historical settings.

Activities in focus

Lime Crafting and Conservation: Building the Future with Ancient Techniques

with Ana Logreira (22 and 23 May)

Explore the world of lime through a hands-on activity that connects ancient craft with modern conservation. Learn what lime is, how it’s made, and its role in preserving historic buildings and artworks. Working in pairs, you’ll mix lime-based mortar and prepare a panel before using spatulas and modelling tools to create a high-relief design.

Making Impressions: Clay – Plaster – Cast

with Helen Johannessen (15 and 16 May)

Discover the tactile nature of clay by creating impressions and patterns to form a unique relief plaque. Drawing inspiration from the architecture of St Katherine Cree Church—whether it’s the geometric ceiling or stunning stained-glass windows—you’ll use everyday objects and simple tools to add texture to the clay. Once your design is complete, you’ll mix and pour plaster over the clay, then peel it away to reveal your finished piece.

Leaf Impressions: Carving Nature in Stone

with Rob Postle (12 and 13 June)

Get hands-on with nature in this beginner-friendly stone carving session. Using soft Maltese limestone and simple hand tools, you’ll trace and carve the form of a real leaf into stone—creating your own small relief sculpture to take home. Inspired by the textures and patterns of the natural world, this workshop encourages participants to slow down, observe closely, and engage in a tactile, meditative process.

Illuminating History: The Art of Handcrafted Illuminated Manuscripts

with Sarah Davis (22 and 23 May)

Explore the ancient craft of illumination—the art of applying gold to paper or parchment. Traditionally used in decorated manuscripts, these gilded creations can also stand alone as beautiful artworks. You’ll learn how to gild an illuminated letter with real gold leaf and add intricate floral motifs to the border, bringing history to life with your own hands!

Carving Out a Career in Wood: The Craft of Historical Ornamental Woodcarving

with Takako Jin (15 and 16 May, 12 and 13 June)

Get a glimpse into the world of historical woodcarving and what it’s like to be a professional woodcarver. We’ll look at examples of different kinds of ornamental woodcarving and how it can be used in different contexts, such as architecture, interiors, furniture, and sculpture. You’ll learn about the tools used by woodcarvers and also get a chance to have a go at carving some wood with a traditional wooden mallet and a razor-sharp chisel.

Past Meets Present: Clay Modelling Inspired by William Morris

with Jo Grogan (22 and 23 May)

Get hands-on with heritage design in this clay workshop inspired by the timeless patterns of William Morris. You’ll create your own relief tile—cutting, shaping, and building up a floral motif in low relief using traditional techniques and simple tools. Learn how clay’s flexibility allows for experimentation and refinement, just as sculptors have done for centuries. By the end, you’ll have a beautifully crafted tile —and a new appreciation for how historic design meets modern creativity.

Crafting with Light: The Art and Conservation of Stained Glass

with York Glaziers Trust and Sophie Gwynn and Rachel Thomas (15 and 16 May)

You’ll be introduced to the wondrous medieval craft of stained glass. What is glass exactly? How and why did medieval people make stained-glass windows? We’ll explore the history and science behind glass-making and how conservators care for our precious heritage of 700-year-old windows today. Compare historic methods of repair to modern techniques using resin adhesives and protective sunscreen. Try cutting glass with a tungsten glass cutter, painting on glass with natural hair brushes, and bending lead with your hands. Could this be the career for you?

Making the Cut: Learn to Carve Your Initials into Stone

with Rob Postle (22 and 23 May)

Explore the art of traditional letter-cutting in this hands-on workshop. Using classic hand tools and working with limestone, you’ll discover the techniques behind this centuries-old craft. You’ll be guided through the process of shaping letterforms with care and precision—no experience needed, just a steady hand and a bit of curiosity. If time allows, you’ll carve your own initials to take home.

The Timeless Craftsmanship of Gilding: Decorating with Gold Leaf

with Jo Grogan (15 and 16 May and 12 and 13 June)

For thousands of years, gold leaf has been used to decorate objects across cultures—prized for its rich colour, luminous shine, and lasting beauty. Gilding demands both precision and a creative eye. In this hands-on session, you’ll gild a small decorative object using traditional techniques. After applying a mordant adhesive and allowing it to set, you’ll learn how to handle gold leaf, before carefully laying it down to achieve a beautiful finish.

Meet the makers

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