HERO’s opportunity was to develop a cross-curricular programme that reflected the quote above. It was decided, as a result of the Focus Group meeting, to investigate the potential for developing a character or characters that could guide groups around a series of activities. The combination of interactivity and storytelling was seen as a positive way forward for the developing programme at Doddington.

As a result of curriculum research and other relevant research following the advice of the Focus Group, it was decided to develop the programme from a starting theme of ‘Collections’. This theme sits well within heritage education, and lends itself to the following curriculum areas:

• Numeracy
• Literacy
• History
• Art
• Science
• Citizenship
• PSHE
  

The history of the family and stories relating to the family are key to the house. They give the house its homeliness. Therefore a priority was to attempt to communicate this, through curriculum related activities, throughout any visit. As a result of the development of the onsite activities, pre visit activities are being developed for teacher led delivery.

The History Squad has a reputation for developing characters, which are relevant and accessible to schoolchildren. The Company’s Principal, Kevin Hicks has worked with Warwick Castle, University of Colorado and Chepstow Castle and has been written about favourably in the national press:

“…Children and adults in his audience were spellbound… His grasp of the little details and nuances brought everything to life “
TES

In collaboration with the History Squad a research period helped to develop a pilot day at the end of the summer term. Meetings were held with the Jarvis family, this combined with continued teacher consultation and book-based and archival research, all helped in the development of the resource.  Priority was also given to identifying a capable live interpreter who could develop the character of Edward Hussey Delaval, who lived at Doddington Hall between 1805 and 1815, in a way which would allow for innovation.

Edward Hussey Delaval was chosen for several reasons:

• He lived at Doddington 200 years after the house was built and 200 years ago and thus acted as a good bridge from the Tudors to Victorians and on to present times

• He was an eminent scientist, a member of the Royal Society and a member of the committee who put a lightning conductor on St. Paul’s Cathedral and therefore a famous person worthy of wider study.

• His role is key to the family history of Doddington, being one of the last Delavals to own Doddington.

Children are treated to an interactive tour of the house and are asked to which item they would save in the event of a fire, perhaps caused by a lightning strike. Delaval was fascinated by fire prevention and known for his fireproof house in London. The families of Doddington throughout history have been blighted by the devastation of lightning. Children come to learn at the end of their visit that, despite the beauty and value of the collections within Doddington, the most valuable thing they could possible save is themselves

“Very, very fun!”
“Interesting and brilliant!”