Play Works Self-guided Visits

Join us from November for Play Works, a new exhibition by Turner Prize winning art and architecture collective Assemble and Assemble Play.  

Enter a world of imaginative settings, props and loose parts and explore the world of play! Roam the gallery and courtyard freely and find play confidence with your students with our free self-guided visit offer.  We will provide you with a pack about your visit, including activities to complete back at school.  

Play Works is an invitation for children to play more and grown-ups to find out more about play. Play Works celebrates the time, space and validation for children to do what they do best. Child-led play is important for the development of children, improving cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being. It builds resilience, improvisation and enables an enhanced ability to learn and thrive.  Explore a new world with your students and let their imaginations run free. 

Play Works is at Orleans House Gallery from 18 November 2023 to 30 June 2024.  

Booking details:   

• This visit is free, but booking is essential.  
• To enquire about a visit please complete our enquiry booking form here.  You can view our date calendar here. 
• Educational Visits enquiry forms should be completed at least four weeks in advance of the session. We will be in touch to confirm the activity and will send you a session agreement. This must be returned at least two weeks before the visit.     
• For all visits please be aware that there may be members of the public in the building at the same time.    
• This visit is suitable for early years groups, and Key Stages 1 and 2. 

As part of our offer for the Play Works exhibition, we would like to invite Teachers to join us to explore the exhibition after school hours. Find out about the exhibition, discuss ideas about engagement and the importance of play for children’s learning. 

Twilight dates: 

Wednesday 22 November – 4.30-5.30pm 

Wednesday 14 March 2024 – 4.30-5.30pm 

Please email: jess.meehan@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk to reserve your free place at the twilight.  Refreshments provided. 

Curriculum links:  

EYFS:  

• communication and language   
• physical development   
• personal, social and emotional development    
• Expressive Arts and Design: Being Imaginative and Expressive    
• Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, relate to others, set their own goals and solve problems. Children learn by leading their own play, and by taking part in play which is guided by adults.   

Key Stages 1 and 2:  

• Knowledge of the World  
• Spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society  
• Art and Design: Inspire and challenge, learn about the work of artists  
• PE: lead happy lives  
• Literacy: spoken and written  
• Comprehension  

UNCRC – Article 31 – Children have the right to play  

This visit will support children in the development of their Cultural Capital 

Visit the main exhibition page for Play Works.