Trust properties welcome home schoolers

HELEN LAWRY

Home schoolers like to get out and about for educational experiences but their unique needs are often overlooked by venue managers, limiting the opportunities. The National Trust has been working to fill that gap.

Home schoolers look for educational experiences in interesting places where both children and parents from a small group of families can gather together and strengthen social bonds as well as learn. Unlike most school groups, which are made up of students from one class or year level, they also need access to programs that cater for multiple levels of learning, with students in one group sometimes ranging in age from six to fourteen. National Trust properties offer opportunities in spades, so we have been working with home-schooling families to find the best way of giving them enjoyable, educational activities in our unique settings. The programs set up for them are similar to those made available to regular school groups, but adapted to suit a diverse range of ages and needs.

At Ayers House Museum, children can do the ‘Spit and Polish’ servant training program, the ‘Think and Ink’ tour or try the ‘Mind Your Manners’ experience. Home school groups may also choose the ‘Young Kate’ storytelling and artbased program in the idyllic Stangate House garden. Writing workshops and tours are available for secondary level students at Z-Ward and Ayers House Museum.

While we have catered for home school groups for several years, last year we consulted directly with parents to improve and inform how our programs are run, and the best way to manage publicity and ticketing.

One parent told us: ‘We really appreciate your educational programs as not only do you provide the ticketing system, but you provide an interesting venue as well as a professional and unique program that covers many areas of the curriculum. As a mum, I appreciated being able to take part. I appreciate the affordable price point and love having my children’s interests met. They both love history and are interested in the olden days. I love being able to spend time in these venues and the facilitators are just so good with the children.’

The children seem to enjoy the experience too. Here are some comments from primary-aged participants, reflecting on visits to Ayers House and Stangate:

'It was much more special being in an old house and learning about the olden days. We were able to imagine it more.'

'I liked playing in the garden and doing the painting and doing it with my friends.'

'I liked how the garden was so green and they we could explore. I liked the recorder. I liked the story. The message was "Let people be free and don’t give up on your vision".'

We look forward to continuing our partnership with the home-schooling community and are sincerely grateful that we can all get ‘out and about’ again.

Helen Lawry manages school and family programs for the Trust.

PICTURED:

Top and centre: Students being inspired by the gardens at Stangate House.

Above: Visiting Z Ward.