The classroom has been built as part of plans to grow the Shropshire venue’s outdoor education programme.
The Grade 1 listed 17th century mansion, set in a more 1,000 acres of parkland, gardens and woodland on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border, offers a range of school visits, both inside and outdoors on the estate.
The new classroom in the stately home’s restored Walled Garden has been named the Orchard Hive. It will provide a space for visiting schools to learn, create and engage with nature as part of the estate’s growing education programme, which is delivered on site by Educating Kids Outdoors (EKO).
The estate also offers self-guided school visits, allowing pupils to explore Weston Park for themselves and focus on areas that are of greatest interest to them. Schools can book train rides, bag storage, drinks and even ice-cream, with the other aspects of the day up to the teachers involved.
Christina Kenyon-Slaney, chair of trustees for Weston Park said: “One of the core objectives of the foundation is to provide education, both indoors and outdoors, bringing to life all that Weston has to offer to diverse groups of children.
“The Hive classroom in the restored Walled Garden certainly enhances this offer, and we look forward to welcoming all the many school children who will join us there.”
Outdoor education programme
The outdoor education programme with Educating Kids Outdoors offers visits focused on a particular area of the curriculum, or centred around survival skills and team challenges. Outdoor sessions aim to raise self-esteem and build resilience, as well as improving communication skills and nature connection.
School visits at Weston Park are tailored to meet the needs of pupils and staff and themes available include World War Two, Victorian living, habitats, creative arts and bushcraft.
Educating Kids Outdoors and Weston Park also offer school staff team days and CPD days. During CPD days staff can take part in activities that they would like to see potentially included in educational visits, before students take part themselves
For more information about school visits to Weston Park, visit weston-park.com/foundation/school-trips.
