The Archive will be closed from Monday 16 December, re-opening on Monday 6 January 2025.
In-Person Workshops for Ages 11+
All our workshops are interactive and hands-on, providing lots of opportunities for discussion and participation.
Most workshops are two hours long and can run as a morning or afternoon session. Workshop details are listed below, please contact us if you have any questions or would like to arrange a visit.
If you’d like to visit under your own steam we have a free self-guided visit pack full of activities to do in the exhibition, perfect for combining with a workshop to create a full-day plan. Self-guided visits must be booked in advance, just get in touch to find out more.
Media and Business Studies - Birth of a Brand
What is a brand? What is advertising and how does it work?
Use primary sources from the archive collection to explore past and present advertising at M&S.
Then use your new knowledge to create and film a TV advert!
Design & Technology Food & Nutrition - Proof of the Pudding
Conduct a scientific exploration of the M&S Chocolate Melt in the Middle pudding.
Ponder the problem of a liquid centre and get stuck into the science that makes the pudding possible, including investigating ingredients like emulsifiers. Learn how to make ice cream in a bag and conduct a sensory analysis… yum!
Textiles and History - The Wonder Fabrics
From selling darning wool for one penny in 1884 to using plastic bottles to make recycled polyester, we know all about textiles.
Find out about the how and why of revolutionary fabric innovations at M&S, analyse the properties of different textiles and then develop your own ideas for the next wonder fabric.
Business Studies - Business Brains
M&S has humble beginnings. How does a business grow from a pedlar’s pack to be a global retailer?
Using primary sources and business case studies as inspiration, and tasked with pitching your own enterprising idea, you will use a range of skills and gain an understanding of enterprise in action.
Don’t worry if you can’t visit us in Leeds, we have lots of high-quality digital resources to help you run your own workshops at home.
