Learning in Thames & Solent

Properties in Bucks, Berks, London, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have learning staff who lead visits for schools across many curriculum areas – particularly history, art and environmental studies.

There are inspiring opportunities to discover our heritage together as a family, and for life-long learning through programmes of courses, workshops and talks at many properties.

Hertfordshire / Buckinghamshire

The Ashridge Estate

Key Stage	Subject	Activity Summary
KS1 & 2	Science	Habitat Studies – minibeast hunting, pond dipping and woodland walk
KS1 & 2	Art	Creating art from natural materials based on the artist Andy Goldsworthy
KS1 & 2	Geography	Orienteering trail

Buckinghamshire

Hughenden Manor

Key Stage	Subject	Activity Summary
KS2	History	Victorian Lifestyles – guided visit to manor & walled garden, with handling artefacts & roleplay
KS1	History	Homes in the Past – guided visit to manor & walled garden, with roleplay, storytelling, costume and handling artefacts
KS1 & 2	History	Victorian Christmas – role play, costume & artefact handling contrasting the festivities of the big house with that of the cottage
KS1 & 2	History	The Royal Visit – role play, costume & artefact handling preparing for the visit of Queen Victoria in 1877.
KS2	History	WWII – roleplay, costume & artefact handling contrasting military and domestic life in 1940s.

Isle Of Wight

Bembridge Windmill

Key Stage	Subject	Activity Summary
KS1 & 2	Cross curricular	Guided tours of the Mill learning about how it worked

Needles Battery

Key Stage	Subject	Activity Summary
KS2 & 3	History	Tour of the site – Learn about the varied history of the site from the Victorians to the Cold War. Maximum group size 60
KS2	Cross curricular	Discovery packs – A self-guided exploration of the site
KS2 & 3	History	WW2 experience – Learn about life on the Homefront using our suitcase of History

Newtown National Nature Reserve

Key Stage	Subject	Activity Summary
KS 1-4 GCSE, GNVQ, ‘A ‘Level (AS/A2)	Cross-curricular	Field Studies

London

Morden Hall Park

Key Stage	Subject	Activity Summary
KS2	Geography (Rivers)	River sessions - Wide choice of activities
KS1 & 2	Science	Mini Beast and Plant sessions
KS1 & 2	History & Art	History and Art sessions

Sutton House

Key Stage	Subject	Activity Summary
KS2	History (unit 7)	Life in Tudor times—role-play, storytelling and object handling session exploring the lives of rich and poor in a Tudor household
KS2	History (unit 8) & literacy	Henry and his wives—role play, storytelling and literacy exercises
KS2	History	Life in Victorian Hackney—role-play, object handling and storytelling session exploring the lives of rich and poor in a Victorian household and school
KS2	History and citizenship	Black History Month Trail—self led trail exploring the lives of famous black Londoners of the last 500 years
KS2	History	Christmas special—seasonal visits incorporating performance and role-play

Middlesex

Osterley Park

Key Stage	Subject	Activity Summary
KS1 & 2	History	Victorian Servant – students role play in costume
KS1 & 2	Science	Mini Beast Hunts – students investigate the insect life in Osterley’s grounds
KS1 & 2	Science	Pond Dipping – Students will be introduced to the underwater life of Osterley’s lakes

Hampshire

Sandham Memorial Chapel

Key Stage	Subject	Activity Summary
All	Cross curricular	Talks on paintings by Stanley Spencer at Sandham Memorial Chapel
All	Cross curricular	Talks on the Chapel paintings vs war poets

The Vyne

Key Stage	Subject	Activity Summary
KS1 & 2	History, Numeracy, Literacy, Art, Geography, Information Technology	Self-led - Resource book for schools with numerous suggested activities
KS1 & 2	Cross-curricular	Self-led - Tracker Pack (8 available)
KS1 & 2	Cross-curricular	Self-led - Countryside Activity Book for schools with numerous suggested activities
All	Cross-curricular	Self-led - Special morning opening of the House can be arranged

Winchester City Mill

Key Stage	Subject	Activity Summary
KS1 / KS2	Food / farming Science, Technology	Flour milling with water power – mill tour, interactive demonstration and hands-on activities. Optional breadmaking
KS2	Local / River study Geography, environmental studies.	Milling with water power, River Itchen quiz, ’inner city otter watch’ - film and latest sightings, optional walk to Winnall Moors Wildlife Reserves
KS2 & above	History	Mill history and the history and technology of milling - talks, video and displays

Other learning opportunities

Monthly Family Discovery Days available at Hughenden, Morden Hall, Sutton House
Summer Holiday Craft Days available at Hughenden, Morden Hall, Sutton House
Half Term Family Trails at Sutton House
From Plot to Plate family learning days every Friday at Hughenden
Adult Learning courses available at Hughenden, Morden Hall, Sutton House
Elders projects run at Morden Hall and Sutton House

For more information about education visits and projects in Thames and Solent, please contact the region's Learning and Interpretation Officer.

Children exploring life in Tudor times as part of the Black History Month Trail at Sutton House.