Welcome to Cumbria Home Educators
Debate in Parliament
Quotes about school and education
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical Learning
Six of the Best!
Beach Combing
Mary Poppins has much to say!
A Rounded Education!
A Class of their own
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Practical Learning
Learning through experience
There are a wide range of approaches that families take towards their learning, from quite structured to quite informal. Whatever the style, many people value getting together to socialise and to do practical things or even just to play! Children are great natural learners and the world doesn’t have to be broken into separate subjects for them to be able to learn from their experiences. Learning doesn’t have to be a monotonous routine or an isolated and abstract concept, occurring only at set times in a set place – it can be an integral and exciting way of life.
Using our home-grown talent
The local groups jointly organise quite a few activities, trips, visits and simple social occasions. These provide an opportunity to explore the world, meet with others and learn in practical ways. These events are usually informal and we try and cater for a wide range of ages. They are organised by parents, either using their skills and knowledge or by involving others with specialist know-how. It’s surprising how diverse the range of skills that exists within the group of families.
A wide range of opportunities
As a group of ‘educators’ we can benefit from various schemes, discounts and services usually offered to schools. We are an ‘educational group member’ of the National Trust, and English Heritage, both of whom offer free entry to their properties. We are also a ‘user group’ at Tullie House Museum in Carlisle, and take advantage of group activities, offers and discounts from Government bodies like the National Park, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and various visitor attractions.
Potters concentrate on their creations |  |
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Some of this year's activities
Tullie House: this year we have visited a Design for Theatre Performances workshop, an Egyptians session, a Quilting exhibition, and borrowed a couple of activity boxes looking at time lines and skulls and bones.
Art sessions: a series of creative & fun art sessions in Kendal.
Pond dipping: at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve near Morecambe Bay, finding newts and seeing birds.
Talkin Tarn: near Carlisle for animal tracking and building an iron-age roundhouse (see Rounded Education page)
Tudor day: at Carlisle, discovering all about the Elizabethan way of life.
Pottery: at Edenceramics. Being creative in clay; led by Mike Eden helping the kids realise their ideas. Three sessions and requests for more!
Classic culture The Tempest at the Sands Centre with Shakespeare For Kids interpreting it in their unique style; The Lost Warrior at the Dukes, a colourful and magical tale of the ages.
Sign-language: A session finding out how deaf people communicate and a chance to learn some sign-language.
Manjushri Buddhist Temple: A peaceful spot outside Ulverston in an old priory. The temple is a fairly new building but with fascinating forms and decoration. Interesting to hear about a different world-view.
Peek-a-Boo! A Roman 'Turtle' in the grounds of Carlisle Castle. |  |
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... yet more activities!
New Lannark Exploring this world heritage site outside Glasgow where Robert Owen created a new model of industrial life for his workers next to the Falls of Clyde.
Games Workshop: A session devoted to (make believe) war and mayhem! The Lord of the Rings theme with miniature armies battling across a tabletop in Carlisle. Just the six dice and 100 page rule book to master!
Glasgow Science Centre: A minibus full went north and discovered the joys of the Science Centre next to the Clyde. Lots of buttons to push and things to do.
York: Trip to see the cathedral and railway museum. The guided tour was very interesting and included the history and building methods We climbed to the top of the tower. The trains were great fun – what a wonderful smell.
Rydal Hall, Ambleside: We spent a long weekend camping here, and had a wonderful time with lovely weather. We swam in Rydal Water and Rydal Beck, played lots of games, jumped on the trampoline, visited the tea shop, and walked the Fairfield horseshoe.
Manchester Science Museum: We went to the special exhibition about Blackfoot Indians found out about their lives and traditions and how they are still trying to recover from the effects of white men coming.
Weekend in Wooler: renting the whole YHA on the edge of the Northumberland National Park. Exploring the area, walking, cycling and having a very sociable time.
All the above activities are, of course, interspersed with many other occasions where the focus is about simple fun and playing through which a lot of learning occurs.
The Big Melt at Magna Discovery Centre in Rotherham explodes into life! |  |
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