‘Love the Words’ Schools Programme
*Update for our customers – Welcome back, we’ve missed you!!*
Our temporary opening hours are 10am to 4pm on Wednesdays through to Sunday. You won’t need to book a slot to visit, but we will be monitoring numbers on site to ensure that there’s plenty of space for people to physically distance from each other. Please call us if you’re a large group and we can advise further.
Inspire your pupils with a visit to the Dylan Thomas Centre!
‘I liked making our own poems! I think that was most amazing because you got us to make our imagination let loose! I think this place is magical! –pupil age 9, St David’s Primary, Swansea
The Dylan Thomas Centre’s permanent exhibition, ‘Love the Words’, tells the story of the life, work and cultural context of one of the twentieth century’s most important writers. It focuses on his childhood in Swansea and the poetry he wrote as a teenager, examines his war work and writing about World War 2, as well as his connections with the Surrealists and the writers, artists and actors he met during his time in the US. Original manuscripts and audio recordings form a key part of this accessible, hands-on exhibition. It includes a Children’s Trail and a range of exciting interactives and games, making it engaging and fun for pupils of all ages and learning needs.
Our experienced team will be on hand throughout the day to ensure you and your pupils get the most out of your visit. Our team offer guided visits and workshops to inspire pupils of all ages, which are free for 4-Site members. In addition we work with amazing writers to provide engaging and inspirational workshops. Our exhibitions, trails and worksheets are bilingual, and themed guided workshops and visits can be delivered in Welsh. Our exhibition spaces and Learning Space are all housed at ground level and fully wheelchair accessible.
Our Workshops and Guided Visits
Foundation Phase Guided Visits
30min – 1hour
Our foundation phase guided visits are tailored to suit the needs of your class. One of our team will be on hand welcome you to the Centre and explain the various parts of our exhibition. As you take your journey through Dylan’s world, find out about the animals in Dylan’s poems, what inspired him to write his stories, and some of the funny things Dylan did at school!
Your visit will include free trails. Our ‘Find Dylan’s Animals’ Trail is suitable for children 2+ and our Dylan’s Animals Crossword Trail is suitable for children 6+ Children can take their completed Trail to our front desk for a free sticker and bookmark!
Foundation Phase Guided Visits with self-led activities
1 – 2 hours
In addition to the guided visits and trails you will have access to self-led themed free play and activities. Activities include: dressing up costumes, fun felt story making board, traditional seaside puppets, ‘Dylan’s Animals’ puppets, story making games, and reading corner, all inspired by Dylan Thomas’ life and work.
Please contact us for more details and to tailor your experience.
Foundation Phase Workshops
30min – 1hour
- Sensory Story Shaker Jars
- Cut-up Poetry
- Story Dice
- Create a Mini Story Book
Please contact us for further details of each workshop.
KS2 Guided Visits
45min – 1hour
Discover why writers like Roald Dahl were so inspired by Dylan’s work, what Dylan did during WW2 and which childhood memories inspired Dylan to create some of his most well-known stories. One of our team will be on hand welcome you to the Centre and explain the various parts of our exhibition. Your visit will include free trails and activity sheets.
KS2 Workshops
1hour – 1hour 30
- Dylan’s War
- Dylan’s Words: Cut-up Poetry
- Story Dice Workshop
- Dylan’s Notebooks
For specific details of each workshop please contact us for further details.
KS3 Guided Visits
45min – 1hour
Our KS3 guided visits provide a valuable opportunity for pupils to be inspired by one of Wales’ most influential and highly regarded writers. One of our team will be on hand welcome you to the Centre and guide you around the timeline of Dylan’s life and works. Pupils will have the opportunity to complete a trail, use interactives to discover more about Dylan’s writing technique, and make their own poems using Dylan’s words on our magnetic poetry board.
KS3 Workshops
1hour – 1hour 30
- Dylan’s Words: Cut-up Poetry
- Blackout Poetry
Please contact us for further details of each workshop.
Workshops with Professional Writers
In addition to the above programme, we offer tailored creative writing workshops with a professional writer starting from £200 a session, which can be covered by Arts Council of Wales’ Go and See Fund.
Booking and FAQs
How do I make a booking?
Please call Jo, our Literature Officer, on 01792 463980 to make your booking. Alternatively you can book via email: jo.furber@swansea.gov.uk
When booking please include:
- The name and postcode of your school
- Your name, email and phone number
- Which workshop/guided visit you are interested in
- Number of pupils and staff, and their year group. The maximum size group per session is 35.
- Your preferred date/s for your visit
- Whether you require use of our Learning Space for lunch.
- Engilsh or Welsh language – subject to availability
- Any additional requirements
Need help to cover the cost of your visit?
The Arts Council of Wales provides a ‘Go and See’ fund for schools which allows Schools to apply for up to £1000 to cover up to 90% of the cost of an arts experience in Wales. Costs can include transport, workshops, and tickets. You can apply at any time but will need to do so at least 4 weeks in advance of the event you wish to attend.
To find out more and to apply, go to the Arts Council of Wales’ ‘Go and See’ site.
Please contact Nicola at the Dylan Thomas Centre on 01792 463980 / nicola.kelly@swansea.gov.uk if you need any help writing about your planned visit to the Dylan Thomas Centre when completing the application.
How accessible is the Dylan Thomas Centre?
Our exhibition areas and Learning Space are all housed at ground level and are wheelchair accessible. Entry to the building is across level paving with dropped curbs. The centre has an accessible toilet in the reception area.
Our permanent ‘Love the Words’ exhibition has accessibility in the forefront of its design. Key accessible features include wheelchair bays with head phones, a touch activated sound panel, wheelchair level cabinets and displays, and a number of interactive and sensory exhibits.
Our Learning Space is fully wheelchair accessible and includes a variety of resources for pupils with differing learning needs and access requirements. This includes loop scissors, easy grip pencils and wheelchair friendly fancy dress costumes – contact us for further details of our resources.
We are currently working with our friends at Swansea People First to create an easy read guide to our Exhibition for visitors and pupils with learning disabilities, which will be available from early 2018.
If attending a performance in our theatre, please contact us to check access requirements and availability of wheelchair spaces.
Parking and pupil drop off point
We have space directly at the front of the building for minibuses and coaches to pull in to make drop-offs. We are directly opposite East Burrows Road pay and display car park. More information on nearby parking can be found here
Any questions about the sessions and how they can be adapted to your specific needs?
Please contact Jo, our Literature Officer, who will be happy to talk you through what we can offer.
Email: jo.furber@swansea.gov.uk
Call: 01792 463980
This post is also available in: Welsh
