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“(I enjoyed) seeing the children’s ideas develop from initial tentative thoughts into positive and exciting ideas, especially the emergence of huge interest form the class “know it all loud boy”. He really picked up all the group’s ideas, and pulled them all together to create a good presentation.”
(An education volunteer’s comment at Kedleston Hall)
Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire, on the outskirts of the city of Derby, is a superb Georgian mansion. It is managed by the National Trust.
Kedleston contains splendidly restored Robert Adam-designed rooms and the “Eastern Museum” is filled with the collections of Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India. The Project sought to work with the wealth of experience from the National Trust volunteers at the property. Initially, it took ideas from the volunteers which were discussed at focus groups and blended into an educational resource which took Kedleston towards new horizons. The result was ‘Kedleston Now!’ an educational resource, primarily aimed at Key Stage 2.
A core team of education volunteers has been established. “The Kedleston Heroes” were challenged with developing resource boxes associated with the project and are acting as ambassadors for the project within the National Trust.
HERO Project: 'KEDLESTON NOW!'
Kedleston Now! seeks to offer children:
- Purpose, by providing a task which is SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely).
- Context, learning is related to, and partially takes place in, a real place and gives opportunity to meet learning objectives and understand a historic site as it is, as it was and/or as it could be.
- An audience for the participants’ work, providing a powerful motivation to work to a high standard.
Children are invited to redesign the room interiors of the state floor of Kedleston Hall. This resource offers itself to a range of curriculum areas, most notably: Art and Design Unit 6 - Visiting a museum, gallery or site, History (investigative skills), Design and Technology (Developing, planning and communicating ideas, evaluating processes and products, Focused practical tasks) as well as presenting a wealth of opportunities in English, ICT, Science, Mathematics and Citizenship.
From the outset, the project has had five stages:
School based-first stage
- Children undertake a range of 'training' activities encouraging them to think about and discuss what they and others consider to be beautiful and think about and discuss concepts of fashion and function.
- Children receive a letter inviting them to form groups to undertake a design task at Kedleston Hall for an anonymous client.
Kedleston Hall
- A visit to Kedleston Hall, which would begin with a tour of the house and an invitation for children to choose a room to redesign suitable rooms at Kedleston include the State Bedroom, Saloon, Drawing Room, Library and State Dressing Room.
- Children choose an item of furniture or ornament to retain in the room and when possible use a digital camera to record an image of the item
- Groups undertake a series of activities in their chosen room with the help of volunteers or teachers to help them explore the room. These include: -Observing for a short time and then answering questions about the room with eyes closed.
-Measuring the room. -Taking notes and sketching.
-Recording those parts of the room that must be retained including fireplaces, heating, plasterwork and widow and door positions.
-Handling an object [if possible using a replica or other artefact]
School based- second stage
On returning to school, children will redesign their chosen room to suit their needs and aspirations, developing a plan of the redesigned room and details of furnishings, equipment and decoration. The study will contain a short report on their plans for the house, which will be used for a presentation to be made on a return visit to the Hall or at school.
These activities can be supported by:·
- A collection of materials, including fabrics and stone for reference
- Colour cards and charts
- Room plans and images when possible
- Image of chosen retained item
- Catalogues and lifestyle magazines
Kedleston Hall Presentations
The presentation of their new designs to a representative of Kedleston Hall, this could be a character associated with the Hall in role and costume or modern day representative. This could if necessary take place in school or other location. The presentation to an audience should be supported by a/v and IT equipment including PowerPoint presentation resources.
Evaluation
It is important that all those involved should have an opportunity to evaluate the project; this should include Kedleston Hall staff and volunteers, teachers and pupils.
The project provides a meaningful opportunity to visit Kedleston Hall.. With support from experienced guides, learners develop a presentation, which they then make to an audience of adults and their peers.
The project enables children to make decisions and choices and encourages reflection on their experience.
The project gives opportunities for speaking and listening, ICT and presentation skills and the collaborative nature of the project can be used beyond the initial target audience of Key Stage 2.
The relationship that is encouraged between volunteers and the children gives an intergenerational learning element to this rich and empowering resource.
