Learning and Educational Visits to The Children's Country House at Sudbury

From a primary school group to higher education students, our Learning Team offer an exciting programme which can be adapted for different ages and abilities. Learning visits to The Children's Country House have been designed to give you time to explore at your own pace, and to shape the day around particular areas of study and interest for your pupils.

We are happy to discuss any specific needs your school may have and if possible, make it a bespoke visit to suit your requirements, age and ability. The team also offers a varierty of experiences which include led workshops and activities.

Learning Programme

Museum of Childhood: Toys from the Past

Become a toy detective and explore the differences between toys from the past and today. Examine the different types of materials, colours and uses of old toys and how they have changed over the years. Children will get to handle toys, as well as have the opportunity to explore the toy galleries in our museum and other spaces relating to children's lives. This activity is aimed at KS1 pupils and links to History, English and Design and Technology.

Museum of Childhood: The Victorians

What it was like to go to school during the Victorian period. Children (and teachers) will experience a lesson in our Victorian school room, including how children were expected to behave. Children will also have time to explore our other museum spaces, looking at Victorian toys and work in the Victorian period - these sessions are aimed at KS1 to KS3 pupils and links to History, English and PHSE.

Nature Programme - NEW for 2024

We recognise that access to outdoor spaces and nature provides multiple benefits for children and young people, as well as nurturing an appreciation for the natural environment. Our new Nature Programme has been designed to connect with outside spaces in a positive and healthy way. Our programme, developed in conjunction with our Gardens Team, is specific to The Children's Country House by exploring the wildlife and nature we have now, and in the past. Children will creatively engage with nature, enjoy being outdoors and experience the mental health benefits of connecting with nature. Suitable for KS1 to KS3, as well as supporting your schools wellbeing agenda.

Sudbury Hall Learning Programme - Available from September 2024

We are currently developing our new Sudbury Hall learning programme that will provide an opportunity to explore the ancestral home of the Vernon family. Our programme will explore Sudbury Hall, in the context of local and world history and the people who lived and worked here, enabling a greater understanding of society, economy and culture in the late 17th century onwards. There will also be the opportunity to meet with a member of our Collections Team and understand how we care for and maintain the items in our collection. Suitable for KS3 pupils.

What to Expect

A typical itinerary for an educational visit to The Children's Country House at Sudbury includes a 10am arrival and 2pm departure, with a health and safety briefing, activities throughout the day and a lunch break.

Facilities for School Groups

Each school group has a designated area to leave coats, bags and lunch boxes as well as access to male, female, and an accessible toilet. There is also a Changing Places Toilet on site.

Groups can eat their lunch on the top floor of our Fairytale Forest Café, or can picnic outside, weather dependant.

We want The Children's Country House at Sudbury to be accessible for all children and aim to make your visit as easy as possible. We have lift access in both the café and museum, sensory equipment available to borrow, and two all-terrain wheelchairs which can be used by schools to help children explore the site. We also have a sensory room which can be used at any time during your visit if anyone needs a quiet space.

Pricing

School visits are charged on a per child basis and this fee covers entry to the property, use of all facilities, workshop and activities and support from our team. If your school has an Educational Group Access Pass, this fee is reduced to discount the entry element of the fee.

Education Group Access Pass

Schools can benefit from an Educational Group Access Pass, which is an annual membership giving free access to the whole school at National Trust places along with reduced costs for guided visits. More information can be found here.

Booking your Visit

School visits are available from Monday to Thursday during term time. All school visits must be booked in advance.

Please get in touch with the Learning Team at cchlearning@nationaltrust.org.uk, or feel free to call 01283 585337 to find out more and a member of the team will be happy to assist.

Please note, that on Mondays the site is also open for the general public. Tuesdays to Thursdays at The Children's Country House are allocated for schools only, and from September 2024, Mondays are for Nature Programme bookings only.