Schools

A primary purpose of Otley Science Festival is to raise awareness of and interest in science amongst the younger generation so as well as our evening events we have a programme of daytime events for schools in the Festival week.

These live events in Otley Courthouse are designed for primary schools (home educators also welcome). Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment!

All shows are £6 per child plus a free staff place for every 10 children.

Due to the demand in bookings over the past few years for our school shows & our limited capacity there is a non-refundable deposit of £2 on each ticket booked. Once you have requested your seats, you will be sent an invoice for the deposit, payable within 7 days. You will receive a booking confirmation email once this invoice has been paid: if not paid within 7 days the tickets will go back on sale. The final balance of the booked tickets (£4 per ticket) will be due on invoice at the beginning of November 2024.

If you can no longer commit to a booking, please contact us as soon as possible to give other pupils the chance to see the shows!

To book seats please contact the Centre Director at the Otley Courthouse on 01943 467466 or email: director@otleycourthouse.org.uk

For 2025 we are delighted to welcome back science magician and Curator of Wonder Dr Matt Pritchard with two of his excellent, entertaining, educational shows to cover KS1 and KS2 pupils. His amazing performances both inspire and inform. Matt loves being creative and is passionate about simplifying the complex.

So this year we have:

Tue 11th Nov 9.30am and 11.00am

Surprising Science with Matt Pritchard (KS1)

The show is packed with science tricks, stunts and puzzles.

Matt challenges the audience to discover the sneaky scientific secrets behind the surprising illusions. This is not just an awe & wonder show but one that encourages scientific enquiry and critical thinking skills.

Along the way the audience will be taught a host of science tricks using everyday household objects that they can go away and try later; extending the learning and providing teachers with lots of follow up opportunities.

During the show Matt will share his background and love of science.

National Curriculum links: Scientific Enquiry, plus links to Forces and Electromagnetism.

Suitable for KS1 Running time 1 hour

Wed 12th Nov 9.30am, 11.00am and 1.30pm

Superhero Science with Matt Pritchard (KS2)

Are superpowers fact, fiction or feasible in the future?

Explore invisibility, superstrength, body armour, levitation, mind control and find out what they do (or don’t) have to do with real science. And for those superpowers which are scientifically impossible? That’s where the magic comes in!

The show has a strong emphasis on smart materials and technology inspired by biology (e.g. spider webs and camouflage.)

National Curriculum links: Materials and their properties; Forces and Motion; Light

Suitable for KS2 Running time 1 hour.

Cost for all shows is £6 per child plus a free staff place for every 10 children.

Due to increased demand, limited capacity and last-minute cancellations which prevented other schools from being able to attend, we have revised our booking process – please see below:

Please call/email to book the shows/times you would like to see with pupil and adult numbers.
A confirmation email and invoice for the non-refundable deposit of £2 per pupil will then be sent to secure your booking. This is to be paid within 7 days of issue, after which they will become available for re-sale if not paid.
The remaining, Final Balance (£4 per child) invoice will be sent after the deposit is paid and will need to be paid by the beginning of November 2024.

If you can no longer commit to a booking, please contact us as soon as possible to give other pupils the chance to see the shows!

To book seats please contact the Centre Director at the Otley Courthouse on 01943 467466 or email: director@otleycourthouse.org.uk