Educational workshops

All of the workshop sessions at York’s Chocolate Story have been carefully put together to enhance an educational visit and help Teaching Professionals meet with their learning objectives.

  • Duration: Our workshop sessions last 1 hour
  • Every session is delivered by a member of our Education team in our purpose built, on-site, educational space.

York’s Chocolate Story’s educational workshops and trips have been awarded numerous awards. These include a Quality Badge from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom and a prestigious Sandford Award for heritage and education.

So why not leave your trip in our capable hands?

For more information about our workshops and educational resources, or to book a familiarisation visit, please contact us by email or by calling 01904 527775.

Explore the full range of Educational Workshops on offer at York’s Chocolate Story below.

“CHOCOLATE ENTHUSES MOST PEOPLE…YORK’S CHOCOLATE STORY PROVIDES MORE: FASCINATING INSIGHTS INTO THE HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE AND YORK, AN EXPERIENCE THAT PUPILS WILL REMEMBER AND THAT TEACHERS CAN FOLLOW UP BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.”

DONALD HENSON, SANDFORD AWARD JUDGE

ADVENTURES IN THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (KS1 & KS2)

Delve into the world of Roald Dahl’s classic “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” in our workshop for KS1 & KS2 pupils.

This session is designed to:

  • Develop the speaking, listening and comprehension skills of your students and gives them the opportunity to work creatively with others 
  • Explore key ideas and characters from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
  • Create a story wall inspired by the book
  • Design their own addition to Willy Wonka’s famous chocolate factory in a collaborative group exercise!
  • Bring imagination to life by crafting their own chocolate-themed creation

Victorians: A Sweet Invention (KS1 & KS2)

Designed for KS1 and KS2 pupils, this workshop explores life in Victorian Britain and the transformative era of the Industrial Revolution.

Students will:

  • Investigate Victorian inventions that shaped the world
  • Discover how chocolate evolved during this period
  • Design their own commemorative chocolate bar for Queen Victoria
  • Try hands-on chocolate making by rolling their own truffles

This engaging session links to History, English, and Design & Technology, providing a fun, interactive, and curriculum-linked experience.

MEET THE MAYA: THE ORIGINAL CHOCOLATIERS (KS2)

Designed for KS2 pupils, this workshop explores the world of the ancient Maya and their enduring legacy which still influences modern day life. 

Students will:

  • Discover the importance of the cocoa bean in Maya society, from its use as currency to a bitter drink enjoyed by the wealthy
  • Learn how cocoa influenced modern chocolateCreate their own version of the Xocolat drink in a hands-on session

This interactive workshop supports the new History curriculum with a focus on 'a study of a non-European society that provides contrasts with British History.'

It also links to Geography and Mathematics, offering a cross-curricular learning experience.

CHANGING STATES WITH CHOCOLATE (KS2)

This interactive workshop introduces children to the science behind chocolate through hands-on exploration.

Students will:

  • Investigate the properties of solid and liquid chocolate
  • Play an interactive game to understand reversible and irreversible changes in the bean-to-bar process
  • Learn the importance of tempering in chocolate-making
  • Make and decorate their own edible souvenir to take home

Perfect for linking Science and Design Technology, this session combines learning with fun and creativity.

WW2: Rations and Resilience (KS2 & KS3)

Designed for KS2 and KS3 pupils, this workshop explores the role of chocolate during the Second World War.

Students will:

  • Discover how chocolate boosted morale at home and on the front line
  • Learn about wartime production lines and how rationing affected chocolate making
  • Create their own chocolate letter
  • Compare chocolate then and now, understanding changes in taste and production

This interactive, hands-on session links to Geography and English, offering a cross-curricular learning experience that combines history, creativity, and chocolate-making.

 

THE NEXT BIG THING (KS2/KS3/KS4)

In this hands-on Design & Technology workshop, pupils can dream up their own chocolate brand and pitch their ideas 'Dragon’s Den' style to an audience.

Students will:

  • Explore branding and marketing: unique selling point, target market, and packaging design
  • Discover the history of York’s iconic confectionery products and the secrets to their success
  • Learn about chocolate truffles and make some by hand
  • Work in teams to design, market, and pitch a new chocolate product - the 'Next Big Thing'

The winning team will receive a handmade prize from our York Chocolate Story chocolatiers, along with the chocolates they create themselves.

This workshop links to Design & Technology, History, and Entrepreneurship, providing a creative, collaborative, and curriculum-linked experience.

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