Drawing on the experience of our off-site public programme CAST-Off, our learning specialist Lucy Grant developed a series of outdoor workshops for local primary schools. The sessions are an opportunity for pupils to take part in a series of creative learning experiences through the exploration of environment. Activities include map reading, collecting, observing, drawing, and creating from nature.
When the programme piloted in 2020, sessions took place in the grounds and environs of each school. Subsequently the programme has taken place at National Trust Penrose, allowing pupils the chance to explore the woods and lakeside by the river Cober as well as doing activities in the Walled Garden.
Teachers gave the following feedback on the sessions:
All the year 3 children had a wonderful time at the Penrose activity. I was amazed at how prepared and resourced the team were, and the knowledge that you brought to the sessions was so valuable to both the children and staff. Each activity was exciting and engaging and it was so lovely to see the children showing off their art and creative skills in such a different environment to school. We could never have given the children the same experiences as you did.
The day was a perfect way for us to finish our ‘Great Outdoors’ topic. The children were so engaged in all the activities and it was so nice to be outdoors all morning enjoying the fantastic grounds at Penrose. The children loved collecting things in their matchboxes and were so interested in what their friends had also collected. All the activities were perfectly pitched for the children and every single child enjoyed participating.
Lucy works with schools to provide curriculum links with themes or topics on which particular year groups are working. Lucy is also able to offer sessions specifically for teachers, sharing insights into her approach to cross-disciplinary creative learning.
Please get in touch if you would like to find out more: [email protected]
The programme was first piloted in Autumn 2020 thanks to support from The Garcia Family Foundation and FEAST. In 2023 and 2024 the programme was part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
