Targeted to Intermediate English (B1+) speakers.Read more
This is the standard requirement for most courses. Participants at this level can participate actively in discussions and manage everyday and professional situations. If they are unsure about their English level, they can test it here or explore our courses facilitated in Basic English.
Cross-Curricular.Read more
The listed audiences are those for whom the course is especially recommended, but courses are not exclusive to them and are open to everyone. In fact, most of our workshops are built around the collective sharing of participants’ experiences and having a variety of profiles enriches the learning process and is highly encouraged!
Description
In many schools nowadays, learning extends well beyond traditional lesson time. Early-morning programmes, after-school clubs, and holiday camps are now more than ever a regular part of school life.
These recreational moments, however, often fall into a grey area: they are not formal lessons, but they are not simply “free time” either, and since they take place in school, there is often pressure to make them “educational”.
After all, children can’t just play ball… can they? At the same time, this is clearly not classroom time either – so worksheets don’t quite fit.
This course supports educators in turning camps, clubs, and extended school programmes into meaningful learning experiences — without turning them into extra classroom hours.
Free from rigid curricula and predefined learning outcomes, schools can transform these time slots into creative experiences, where children are free to explore, express themselves, make mistakes, and let their talents shine.
Participants will learn how to design rich informal learning experiences in pre-school, after-school, and holiday programs that combine educational themes with physical activity, crafts, and creativity.
All of that while considering different factors – such as age, time of day, group energy, and the school calendar – for the choice and structure of activities.
Throughout the course, a wide range of practical ideas will be explored: from inventing board games to developing large-scale art projects or school performances; from high-energy activities that help children release tension to calming moments that promote relaxation and wellbeing.
Crochet, drama, music, comics, storytelling, dance, costume-making, yoga, Lego, escape rooms, video production, theme weeks, and community projects — nothing is off the table!
Having established a foundation in child development and needs at different times and ages (How old are the children? What time of day is it?
Are we mid-school year or in the middle of a long summer break?), participants will analyze their own interests and passions and learn how to transform them into authentic and motivating learning experiences for children.
Practical planning strategies will be shared to help educators build programmes that feel enjoyable, realistic, and sustainable.
By the end of the course, participants will feel confident in planning and delivering engaging, purposeful activities that balance creativity, wellbeing, and learning — and that truly make the most of time spent beyond the classroom.
What is included
Learning outcomes
The course will help participants to:
- Plan and run engaging pre- and after-school activities that go “beyond the classroom”, without relying on a formal curriculum;
- Design meaningful learning experiences that naturally combine creativity, movement, play, and educational themes;
- Adapt activities to different age groups, moments of the day, and levels of energy and attention;
- Use school spaces creatively and intentionally to support participation, wellbeing, collaboration, and self-expression;
- Build educational activities around children’s interests, strengths, and passions, increasing authenticity and motivation;
- Confidently lead a wide variety of activities — from creative and expressive to physical and calming — even outside children’s usual comfort zone.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Introduction to the course
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Icebreaker activities;
- Presentations of the participants’ schools.
First things first: know the kids
- Understanding children’s needs in non-formal learning settings;
- Key principles of child development;
- Energizers and relaxers: when, why, and how to use them;
- Matching activities to time of day, energy levels, and group dynamics.
Day 2 – Your passions
- What is that really makes an educational activity?;
- Can we transform your hobby into an educational activity?;
- Workshop: Share experiences and inspiration – Transforming a personal passion into a structured, engaging activity.
Day 3 – Art and creativity
- How to plan and structure an art-based activity;
- Creative use of simple and low-cost materials;
- Music and drama for non-musicians and non-actors;
- Managing children’s group dynamics through creative expression.
Day 4 – Let’s get physical
- Activities to blow out some steam in a safe way;
- Fine and gross motor skills through play;
- Tournaments and activities in a non-competitive fashion.
Day 5 – Builders, makers, and problem-solvers
- Design a board game;
- Build with recycled material;
- Planning small-scale community or school events;
- Basics of project management for camps and extended programs;
- Workshop: Designing a complete activity plan inspired by the week.
Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competences, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.
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