Leeds Residential trip

In the February half term, a group of 17 art educators headed to Leeds for the UBATO 2025 residential trip.

The group was made up of UBATO members, student art and design teachers and University of Brighton staff.

The bumper-packed trip included four nights in Leeds and an array of art-related activities including:

• a collaborative printmaking workshop
• Leeds Art Gallery workshop and tour
• Henry Moore Institute visit
• visit to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park with a workshop and sketching time
• Hockney Salts Mill visit

This was our second residential trip and suggestions are already being made by those who went to Leeds for 2026.

Julie Howard, UBATO lead, said: “The Leeds trip was a great opportunity to spend quality time broadening art skills as well spending time with and learning from peers.

“For our student teachers it also helped and to gain an understanding of how to use galleries for teaching art and design, as well as how to run a residential trip with their own students.”

Comments from attendees included:

“Great to see quality art and sculpture on site – in context. I have enjoyed working with trainees in a collaborative / knowledge exchange type of way. We have had valuable CPD from professional museum educators – specifically The Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Leeds Art Gallery, who used theory and literature to support practical knowledge.’

“I have had a wonderful time. It’s been lovely to get to know members of the PGCE group, that I wouldn’t normally see outside fo the course. In addition it has been valuable to talk about experiences and gain advice from the experienced teachers in the trip. I usually struggle to do any artwork outside of school, so I have enjoyed getting back to my artistic roots. I have also gained valuable knowledge and ideas from practice; from the places and artwork we’ve seen.

“Thank you so much. This week has been a real joy – I have never felt so empowered as a creative – having conversations that are reflective and powerful. The week has given me so many ideas for the classroom – especially from the sculpture park, a new way of creating! I have loved every minute, new friends, new ideas and a full sketchbook!”

Keep an eye on our website for details of next year’s trip.