The National Trust in Northern Ireland provides learning to over 30,000 pupils. It has four house-based Education and Learning Centres, all of which won the prestigious Sanford Award for outstanding heritage education.
Another Centre is based at the iconic Giant’s Causeway, a World Heritage Site.
The Learning Programmes cover the Northern Ireland Revised Curriculum through 'The World Around Us' and key skill areas such as Thinking Skills. There are specially designed programmes for Community Relations Schools, providing learning opportunities in Personal and Mutual Understanding.Special seasonal events also provide non-formal learning opportunities.
Co. Antrim
Giant’s Causeway
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
| KS1&KS2 |
The World Around Us |
Following Finn’s Footsteps and the Artist's Palette |
| KS2 |
The World Around Us |
Giant’s Activity Trail |
| KS3&KS4 AS & A level |
Geography GeologyTravel and Tourism Conservation |
Causeway Tour |
White Park Bay (028 2073 1582)
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
| KS1 |
The World Around Us |
Meet the Flintstones |
Larrybane (028 2073 1582)
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
| KS2 |
The World Around Us |
Once upon a time….200 million years ago |
Carrick-a-rede
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
| KS2 |
The World Around Us |
Bridge over troubled waters |
Co. Armagh
The Argory
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
| KS1 |
Personal Development, Language and Literacy, Mutual Understanding |
Tommy’s Story – Children dress up and celebrate the birthday of the last child to grow up in The Argory |
| KS2 |
Personal Development, Mutual Understanding, The World Around Us, Language and Literacy |
Applying for a Job on the Estate – Children dress up and inspect the Estate |
| KS2 |
Personal Development, Mutual Understanding, Language and Literacy, The Arts |
Preparing for a Victorian Christmas – Children dress in simple costumes |
Co. Down
Castle Ward
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
Foundation and
KS1 |
Cross Curricular. PDMU, The World Around Us, The Arts, Language and Literacy. |
Applefest – craft, planting, games and art based on an “apple “theme. (September and October).
PDMU session focusing on similarities and differences. |
| KS1 |
PDMU, The World Around Us, The Arts, |
Pack Up Your Troubles – living history - life in Castle Ward during World War II. Meet the cook to discuss rationing; packing an evacuee’s suitcase; air raid precautions. |
| KS1 |
The World Around Us, The Arts, Language and Literacy |
Birds, Bugs and Beasts- explore the environment. Minibeast hunt,
tree activities, animal homes and habitat, bird activities and listening games. |
| KS2 |
PDMU, The World Around Us, Language and Literacy |
Life Below Stairs- activity tour of the house, laundry, dairy and playroom. Discover what life was like for a servant in Victorian times. (Early September and March – June) |
| KS2 |
PDMU, The World Around Us, The Arts, Language and Literacy. |
A Tale of Christmas Past- Victorian themed costumed programme which includes, crafts, literacy and history |
| KS2 |
The World Around Us, Mathematics and Numeracy, Language and Literacy |
Mary Ward’s Discovery Day – explore the outdoors, with a focus on science and the environment. |
| KS2 |
PDMU, The World Around Us, Language and Literacy |
Through the Keyhole- explore personal identity through Community Relations activities and a ”keyhole” tour of the mansion. |
| KS2 |
PDMU, The World Around Us, Language and Literacy |
Sort it Out! – examine the theme of conflict resolution in the historical setting of Castle Ward. Activities include “odd one out”, animal antics, a house visit. (September and mid March – June) |
Mount Stewart
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
| KS1 |
The World Around Us |
The Ark Club Rainbow Chips |
| KS1 |
PDMU |
Little Lady Helen Plays a Trick |
| KS1 |
The Arts PDMU |
The Estate Party Party (Christmas 1950) |
| KS2 |
The World Around Us |
Autumn Tree Trail |
| KS2 |
The Arts PDMU |
The Magic Inkpot (Hallowe’en ) |
| KS2 |
The Arts PDMU |
You rang M’Lord A living history Victorian Programme |
| KS2 |
The World around Us |
Fun Days on request – birds/ minibeasts |
| KS2 |
PDMU |
Flag it up (Symbolism in NI context) |
Strangford Lough (028 4488 1411)
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
| KS1 and 2 |
The World Around Us; Mathematics;
Education for sustainable development |
Explore the seashore. Topics Include adaptation, food chains
and classification. |
| KS1 and 2 |
The World Around us; Education for
Sustainable development |
Visit the Strangford Lough wildlife centre and compare different habitats. Activities can include mammal tracking; shore studies, pond dipping and mini beast hunts. |
| KS1 and 2 |
The World Around us; Education
for Sustainable development; mathematics; PDMU. |
Celebrate the wonderful wildlife of the lough including
the Brent Geese.
Ideal to support a local area/wildlife study, the activities
are fun, hands on and thought provoking. |
Co. Fermanagh
Florence Court House
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
| KS1 and 2 |
The World Around Us
Language and Literacy
The Arts |
Activities can be tailored to suit your requirements. |
Co. Londonderry
Downhill
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
| KS2 |
The World Around Us |
The Bishop’s Trail |
| KS1&KS2 |
The Arts and The World Around Us |
The Palace Woodland Trail |
| KS2 |
Mathematics |
Maths and the Bishop’s Architect |
| KS1&KS2 |
Maths and The World Around Us |
The Palace Medley Trail |
Barmouth
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
| KS 1 & 2 |
The World Around Us |
Mud,Glorious Mud |
Portstewart Strand
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
| KS 1 & 2 |
The World Around Us |
Dune Discovery |
Hezlett House
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
| KS2 |
Community Relations; Personal Development Mutual Understanding |
Under the Spanish Chestnut Tree |
Springhill
| Key Stage
| Subject
| Activity Summary
|
| KS2 |
The World Around Us |
World War Two |
| KS2 |
The World Around Us. Thinking Skills |
Victorian Times |
| KS2 |
The World Around Us. Personal Development. Mutual Understanding |
Plantation |
| KS1 |
The World Around Us. Personal Development. Mutual Understanding Thinking Skills |
Something Old, Something New |
| KS2 |
The World Around Us |
World War Two |
Other Learning Opportunities
- 'The Wedding Breakfast': Five-day School Community Relations Programme which highlights topics such as: culture, identity and symbols, prejudice, human rights.
- A Summer Scheme catering for 6- 10 year olds offers a stimulating and safe environment for young children each July.
- 'Clusoe for kids' – be a junior detective
- 'Shocks and Surprises' – ghostly tales of Springhill
For more information about education visits and projects in Northern Ireland, please contact our Northern Ireland Education Manager.
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