What are Masterclasses from the Evening Standard?
Masterclasses from the Evening Standard are our range of online and in-person classes, led by world-class talent, and designed to help you realise your potential and become the person you want to be.
Are the Masterclasses interactive?
Our masterclasses vary in format, from evening sessions with award-winning writers, to full day workshops to sharpen your professional skills. Wherever possible, we aim to use interactive elements to give you the chance to ask your burning questions, start a conversation or put ideas into practice.
While interactive features may vary for each masterclass, they typically include opportunities to engage with the tutor and fellow participants through the online chat function and on-camera conversations.When appropriate, we also use breakout rooms for some workshops. The tutor may divide the class into smaller groups, usually between 3-4 people, for group discussion or activity.
All of our interactive activities are optional, and designed to be inclusive and productive.
How do the Masterclasses contribute to the Standard’s journalism?
The Evening Standard has been serving Londoners for nearly 200 years. To ensure London remains the most amazing, dynamic and inclusive city on Earth, we keep the Standard free to read for everyone. Purchasing a ticket to a masterclass is a powerful way you can support this mission.
What streaming platform do you use to host online Masterclasses?
Our online masterclasses are hosted on Zoom. If you haven’t used Zoom before, we recommend that you download the Zoom app and set up an account ahead of the class. We also advise you to join a test meeting, hosted by Zoom, to test your audio and video settings.
How can I ensure I have the best online experience?
Getting ready
A good internet connection is essential when joining a live, interactive class online, so please check your internet speed here before purchasing a ticket to our masterclasses. If your internet speed is too low or patchy, please do not purchase a ticket until you have found another way to connect to the internet. Some simple tips to improve your internet connection include moving closer to your router, using a wired internet connection instead of wifi and closing other apps and browser tabs.Alternatively, try joining using a different device if possible.
On the day
For the best user experience, we recommend using a laptop or tablet to access your masterclass, with a webcam and a keyboard. Make sure you have downloaded and logged into the Zoom app, and join a test call with Zoom if you’d like to check your settings. Please join the class 5-10 minutes before the start time so you can take a few minutes to check your video and audio are working correctly.
Is the workshop being recorded and can I receive a copy?
Catch-up recordings of online masterclasses will be made available to ticket holders only and will be made available as a private link for a period of two weeks. Recordings are made and shared only with tutor permissions and at the discretion of the Masterclasses from the Evening Standard team and not all courses will be made available as catch-up recordings. Where a catch-up recording is available, this will be clearly indicated at the point of purchase. Please see the ticketing information on individual course pages for more information. Where available, catch-up recordings will be shared with ticket holders within 2 working days of the course conclusion.
What shall I do if I have a technical problem during the class?
During the class itself, you can use the chat function to raise any technical or access issues with our support team. You have the option to send any questions privately to a member of our team, who are always there to help.
Try this quick list of trouble-shooting actions:
Exit and rejoin the meeting. Don’t worry if you need to restart your device or the Zoom app, you can rejoin the meeting at any time using the same link.
Maximise your internet connection - remember to close unwanted tabs, move closer to your router and switch off other devices which may be using the internet.
Take a look at your mic and camera in the settings tab to check these are correct. Your settings may need to be adjusted if you are connected to more than one camera or if you are using external headphones.
Make sure you have downloaded the Zoom app. Using the app should improve any issues relating to connectivity or audio and video quality.
Try joining using a different device as this may be a problem with your equipment itself.
For more support using Zoom, see the Zoom FAQs page.
I have not received the access link to join the workshop. What should I do?
If for any reason you cannot find the access link to join the event at least two hours before the start time, please take the following steps:
In the first instance, please check your junk, spam and bin folders for emails from masterclasses.support@thestandard.co.ukMasterclasses from the Evening Standard team.
If you still can’t find the access link, contact the team as soon as possible at masterclasses.support@thestandard.co.uk Please include the name of the class you are attending, your order number and a brief description of the issues you are facing. We will respond as quickly as we can.
I have a disability. How will this Masterclass meet my access requirements?
We aim to make our masterclasses accessible to all and remove barriers to participation wherever possible.
When purchasing a ticket, there is an option to let us know if you have any access requirements or require any adjustments to enable your participation in the class. This includes letting us know if you require information in a different format or will be relying on captions.
Adjustments may include extended access to a catch up recording, more time for pre-course reading or activities, audio descriptions of slides and visual content, or other help getting set up for the class. All our classes have automated captions/subtitles available which attendees can turn on or off in their Zoom settings. Let us know if you need more help with this setting.
During our masterclasses, you will be joined by experienced staff who are on hand to help with technical issues or questions. You can message them any time using the Zoom chat function.
Please get in touch with us at masterclasses.support@thestandard.co.uk if you have any additional requirements, questions or concerns regarding accessibility.
The workshop I wanted to attend has sold out. Will you release another date?
Be the first to know about our latest workshops by joining the Masterclasses from the Evening Standard newsletter here.
Can I arrange a Masterclass for my workplace?
Yes! Contact us at masterclasses.support@thestandard.co.uk if you would like to discuss a bespoke masterclass for your workplace.
I can no longer attend a workshop, can I get a refund?
Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another date for the same course. If you are unable to attend, catch up recordings will be made available to ticket holders on most courses. In the rare case a course is not available as a catch up recording, it will be made clear at the point of purchase and within your ticketing emails..
Alternatively, if you can provide us with notice of your non-attendance 72 hours or more in advance of the class, we can change the name on the ticket and have another person attend in your place. Further details on our refund policy can be found in our terms and conditions.
