Education

"I just want to let you know what an impact the Easter workshops had on both the children and adults. They were pitched at just the right level and the use of role-play gave them a very accessible and enjoyable way of learning and reflecting on Easter. As a result, we are going to use a lot of the freeze-frames and reflections as part of our school Easter Service next week. It was a wonderful experience for us to be able to use the Cathedral in this way, thank you so much." - from a local primary school Head Teacher, March 2009

The Spring 2010 leaflet is now available here.

Activities

The Cathedral's Education Officer, Ali Bullivent, runs a comprehensive programme of regular and one-off events for people of all ages. Ali can be contacted by telephone on 01924 434484 or by email.

Gospel Singing!

Three singing sessions run by Ali Bullivent for everyone who loves to raise their voice in song on Thursday evenings from 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm in Treacy Hall on 14 January, 11 February and 4 March 2010. Cost: £4 per session (some concessions are available). Children to be accompanied by an adult.

School holiday workshops

15 - 18 February 2010

For year 6 & 7

Art, music and cooking workshops, plus a trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Each morning from Monday to Thursday. Places strictly limited and must be booked in advance. Cost £1 per session.

For year 9 and above

Watch out for details of an afternoon drop in cafe at Cathedral Centre, Westmorland Street.

Monday 15 February

All age drop in for 'arty crafty' workshops in Wakefield Cathedral Lady Chapel. Children to be accompanied by an adult. No booking required. Activities are free of charge. Sessions run from 10.30 am - 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm - 3.30 pm.

A variety of events for children of all ages are held in the school holidays and range from art and craft workshops to singing, dancing and drumming workshops and events in association with theatre companies. For details of activities, please visit the what's on page.

Schools Programmes

Ali has developed a series of programmes for schools. Schools visiting the Cathedral can have guided tours, singing and drumming workshops or follow one of the packages specially designed for the National Curriculum:

Harvest Festival

Foundation, KS1, KS2. 2 hours.

We will sing seasonal songs, create a farming dance, and make our own colourful corner in the Cathedral from which to give thanks for ‘all good gifts around us’. A time to think about sharing and giving, climate change and green issues - all in a truly awesome environment. Cost: £2.50 per student. Suitable for 1 class (approx 30).

Christmas Journey through drama, music and visuals

KS2 2 hours.

Become shepherds, wise folk and angels, and create music and songs to explore the symbolism and message behind the Christmas story. Come on an epic journey which will lead you on a perilous voyage across Israel and a dramatic escape to Egypt.
Cost: £2.50 per student. Suitable for 1 class (approx 30).

Easter Journey

KS2 2 hours.

A thought provoking interactive experience where students explore the Easter Story from the last supper through to the resurrection.
Cost: £2.50 per student. Suitable for 1 class (approx 30)

Fair Trade and Social Justice

Citizenship, PSHE, RE units 8:2 & 9:4

Theme: Living in poverty in India
Suitable for year 7 and above
Could you survive by making and selling paper bags on the streets of Calcutta? Highly interactive session which explores questions about fair trade and life for children in the developing world. Cost: £2.50 per student.

Living Faith

KS1 KS2 KS3 KS4 2 hours.

Audio tour of Discovery – an exploration of the spiritual meaning of what you see in the cathedral. Plus time for guided reflection, questions and simple act of worship. Suitable for 1 class (approx 30).
Cost: £2.50 per student.

Music Package

KS1, KS2, KS3 2 hours.

Practical workshops exploring the rich tradition of music associated with the cathedral. May include: choral work, organ, African drumming, hand bells – students can expect to experience music from different eras and different genres and even create their own piece. Cost: £2.50 per student.

No Shelter from the Storm

KS3 KS4 Citizenship, Geography, RE

Cathedrals are full of images of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. In the 21st Century, does our relationship with nature need re-thinking? Explore the effects of global warming through drama and visual arts in relation to Christian symbols. Cost: £2.50 per student.

For further details or to discuss your own school visit, please contact Ali on 01924 434484 or by email.

Sing Up!

The Chorister Outreach Programme at Wakefield Cathedral is part of Sing Up, the Government’s National Singing Programme. The outreach programme is being run by James Squire (the Cathedral’s Community Musician), with assistance from the Music Staff.

The programme offers primary school pupils in Wakefield the chance to benefit from in school sessions led by the Community Musician, as well as providing opportunities for the pupils to sing alongside Cathedral Choristers. There is a concert at the end of each term, involving the Cathedral Choir and the schools that have been involved that term. Teachers also receive support and advice on leading singing activities by working alongside the singing leader, as well as further training (usually in the form of twilight sessions).

A wide range of music is sung as part of the programme, ranging from selected sacred repertoire to folk songs (from around the world), Gospels, Soul & Jazz, etc. The singing leader also works with the choristers to develop their repertoire and skills through exploring different repertoire, styles and approaches to singing.

If you would like further information (or know of a school that may be interested in participating), please contact the Community Musician or via the Cathedral Office.

Junior Church

Junior Church meets in the Treacy Hall at the beginning of the 10 am service. Children join us when they start school and continue to be part of the group until they feel ready to take part in the full worship of the church. The aim of Junior Church is to present Christian concepts and church teaching at a level which takes into consideration the emotional and intellectual stages the children have reached. Junior Church is welcomed into the Cathedral with the creche for the children to join their families at the Offertory.

The creche, for very young children and babies, is also held in the Treacy Hall. It runs from the hymn before the Gospel reading, when leaders collect children, until the Offertory. Parents are welcome to stay with their children in the creche.

Please note that there are at least two responsible adults with the children at all times.

Lectures

What is St Paul saying to Wakefield?

A lecture given by Dr Paula Gooder in Wakefield Cathedral on Tuesday 21 April 2009. You can listen again to the lecture by clicking here. Dr Gooder's handouts are also available: slides letter to Wakefield handout

The Church and Climate Change

A lecture given by Dr Nigel Russell in Wakefield Cathedral on Wednesday 25 March 2009 as part of the Lent series "Engaging with...". The text is available here.