Since August 2009, The Public’s learning team has delivered workshops, tours and talks to thousands of learners from local schools and community groups through to colleges and universities across the UK. As a great resource for learners The Public offers many areas of study, research and creative activities that focus on community, contemporary and performing arts. We also support off-site learning activities for schools that support the National Curriculum.

We caught up with Andrew Fowles, Learning Co-ordinator of The Public to find out about the latest news and developments.

What are the Learning team responsible for at The Public?

The Public has great facilities and resources for learners. We’re proud to be able to help individuals and groups develop their artistic skills, as well as support teachers by developing on and off-site learning packages that support aspects of the National Curriculum.

By using digital technologies, craft and sensory activities the Learning team designs and delivers workshops and events that are bespoke to the needs of each learning group. Our programme of activities cater for students and visitors with special educational needs and we give all visitors the chance to learn something new, get creative but most of all have fun as they develop their skills.

Can you tell us about any new and exciting developments your team are involved in?

The Learning team is pleased to announce its first formal school residency with the George Salter Collegiate Academy. This relationship sets a template for our future work with local Sandwell schools and how we support them in creating and showcasing exhibitions, performances and events that include the wider communities we live in. Our partnership will also give students unique opportunities to work directly with local and international performers and artists to discover how the creative and cultural sectors work.

How can the Learning Team help your group?

If you are a group leader or educator and want to find out more about The Public and our exhibitions then feel free to contact the Learning Team where we will always be able to assist you with planning visits, tours and specialised workshops.

To support this we will be holding regular monthly twilight sessions where you can come along to find out more about our resources, upcoming exhibitions and workshop packages. Sessions will run from 4pm-5.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month throughout the year.

Can you tell us about The Public’s work experience programme?

Our work experience programme has been a fantastic success - providing over 120 work-related learning placements during the last year alone.

We work closely with Sandwell’s Education Business Partnership and have been able to offer on the job learning roles for young people.

What types of role can young people gain work experience at The Public?

The roles range from working as one of our Gallery Assistants; providing tours and getting creative in our in-house store ’Make’ through to specialised creative assistants, helping devise and create digital workshops and processing animations created by our school and holiday activities.

We have also been able to design roles and opportunities to give individuals a greater understanding of the events and cultural industries including stage set-ups, marketing, and audio-visual technologies.

Are there any other opportunities available through the programme?

With such a popular demand, The Public will always continue to design new opportunities for individuals and assist the regeneration of future workforces in our region and beyond. If you would like to find out more about our work experience programme visit our website where you can see all our roles, application forms and guidelines. Visit www.thepublic.com/work-experience

To find out how the Learning team can help you, please call Andrew Fowles on 0121 533 7161.