Learning at Belton

Academic Year2019/20

Belton House is proud to be working in partnership with schools and settings on their Artsmark Award journey. By supporting Artsmark settings, we’re helping to put the arts at the heart of education, inspiring young people to create, experience and participate in high quality arts and culture.

Find out more about Artsmark at www.artsmarkorg.uk

To find out how Belton House can support a visit to Belton House and your Artsmark journey, do contact the Learning and Community Office.

“Belton House, National Trust, has an excellent education service. The Learning Team caters most effectively for groups visiting on formal learning trips and for families who wish to take advantage of the informal learning activities on offer. The members of the Learning Team really enjoy their work and care very much about providing excellent learning opportunities. They deliver worthwhile visits for children and teachers alike. I strongly recommend a visit.”Mrs K Wiseman; Sandford Award Judge

How much does it cost?

Admission:

Education Group Members...........................................Free

Non-members House & Grounds* Child ....................................................................£9.45 Adult ....................................................................£15.60

Non-members Grounds only* Child ....................................................................£7.40 Adult ....................................................................£10.80

Tours and Workshops .......................................................£5.00

*Prices valid at time of print

WelcomeThank you for your interest in visiting Belton House with your class this year.

With over 300 years of history and beautiful parkland and gardens, Belton House provides an award winning, inspirational setting for pupils of all ages.

Led by experienced guides, there’s a range of tours and workshops available in the House or Gardens. Each tour and workshop is developed to support the National Curriculum, helping your pupils to actively engage whether they are choosing their favourite flowers in the Orangery or exploring a family portrait.

The learning programmes outlined in this booklet are designed to help develop knowledge, understanding and empathy through exploring

Belton’s collections and stories. By sharing ideas and discoveries, the learning team aim to inspire and enrich your pupils’ learning during your visit.

Truly your ‘house next door’, the learning team is always happy to work with you to support project-based or regular learning opportunities and bespoke visits. If you have an idea how we can work together then please do get in touch.

We look forward to welcoming you to Belton House soon.

Melissa Maynard Learning & Community Officer

Opening Times:

Parkland and Garden (every day except Christmas Day) .....................................................9.30am to 5.30pm

House (Wednesday to Sunday; ..............................................................Tours: 10am until 12.30pm March to October) .................................................................................................Self-led: 12.30pm until 5.30pm

House (December opening) ......................................................................Tours: 10am until 12.30pm

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Take part in an interactive story time and craft workshop at Belton this year.

Each workshop is designed to be 90 minutes long and includes time for a snack (not included).

Henry the Hungry CaterpillarDiscover what Henry, our cheeky caterpillar has stolen from the House. Then, head to the gardens for a treasure hunt to learn all about the butterfly life cycle.Available in the spring term

StickmanThe story of ‘Stickman’ comes alive in Belton’s gardens. Then go foraging for the perfect stick to create stickman to take home.Available in the autumn term

BB’s Big ExploreFind out about the fallow deer and other wildlife that call Belton home. Then explore the gardens on a scavenger hunt to decorate your antler crown.Available in the summer term

Belter’s Special ChristmasGather around the Christmas tree and listen to the story of Belter the fallow deer who saved Christmas. Then let your imagination fly and create some magical Christmassy crafts.Available in November and December

“The ladies with the younger group were so patient and kind. Thank you!”Home Education Group

Early Years

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The learning team will help your pupils to explore the House and Gardens this year. Tours and Workshops are available for up to two classes per day.

Belton’s outdoor learning sessions are a fun and informative introduction to habitats and plants, designed to be 60 to 90 minutes long.

Each of the House workshops include a 60 minute interactive tour of the House with a 45 minute hands-on workshop in the Discovery Centre.

Garden AdventuresGo on a led nature walk through the gardens. Identify and investigate some of the plants, animals and birds that can be found there.

Although we will provide some activities during the walk, we will follow the pupil’s interests as well as being guided by what can be seen.

Available March to October

HabitatsExplore the habitats in the Pleasure Gardens and discover what is living there. Choose from either: Mini-beast safari Pond Dipping

Pupils will use classification keys to identify the mini-beasts that they find. They will also be encouraged to identify what makes a good home for the mini-beasts they discover.

Available Mini-beast safari: March to September Pond dipping: May to July

Key Stage One

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Our HomeExplore the Mansion to discover how Lord & Lady Brownlow lived a long time ago.

Visiting different rooms, your pupils will be able to compare and contrast their homes and lives today with those in the past.

We use a mixture of hands-on and questioning activities to encourage your pupils to make their own discoveries.

Available Wednesday to Friday mornings, March to October.

The Christmas TreatLord and Lady Brownlow have just arrived home to Belton House.

As the family and servants get ready for Christmas, take a peak inside the Mansion.

Then discover more about the annual Christmas Treat for the local school children.

Available on dates in November and December.

Key Stage One curriculum links

Tour & Workshop Local History

Geography Science Art & Design

English

Garden Adventures ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Habitats ✓

Our Home ✓ ✓

The Christmas Treat ✓ ✓

“The children really enjoyed learning about the Brownlow family and comparing to their lives. It was good that they had the opportunity to play with old toys.”Y1 class teacher

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Belton House has been a focus for the local community for over 300 years, as a place of home, work and relaxation. What has the influence been on the local area and how has it changed over time?

An English country house estate, Belton House incorporates a mansion house, formal gardens, a deer park and a model estate village. The Brownlow family employed a number of people whose job roles included servants, gardeners, teachers, farmers, carpenters and foresters.

Inspired by the everyday lives of the estate children, the Key Stage 2 programme provides your pupils with a snapshot into the life of this country house estate and its community.

Downloadable resource packs are available for you to support your Local History and Geography planning, highlighted by a visit to Belton House.

Each tour and workshop is designed to take 60 minutes.

Workshops marked with * is also available as a follow up outreach session after a visit for local schools.

Key Stage Two

“The support from the staff at Belton House enabled me to plan a visit that had structure, yet was flexible enough to allow me to adapt the lessons when we returned to school.”Y4 class teacher

© Lincolnshire Archives

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Who worked in the House?Interactive tourMany of the village children would have followed in their parent’s footsteps and worked at Belton House. Would they have been kitchen maids or footmen? What would they have done?

Explore the upstairs and downstairs through the eyes of the servants and find out what life was really like at Belton House in the past.

Available Wednesday to Friday mornings; March to October

Who am I?*WorkshopThis hands-on workshop uses artefacts and source material to help your pupils to investigate some of the jobs undertaken at Belton House in the past.

Using critical thinking skills they will work together to find out more about workers from the House and the estate.

Available throughout the year.

A model estate villageWalking tourBelton village is just one of the estate villages. Re-built 200 years ago to provide homes, a school and places of work for many of the families who worked here. Following a route around the village, your pupils will look for clues on the buildings as to their purpose and design. Using these and the information about the historic residents, we will introduce the idea of place, community and the role of a country house estate and estate village.

Please note: Belton village contains private residences; as such schools can only access the village as part of this tour.

Available weekdays; March to October

May Day FlowersWorkshopEvery May Day, the children from the village would create boughs of flower garlands and parade through the estate villages finishing at the entrance to Belton House. Your pupils will discover more about the children who lived in the village and create their own May Day Flowers to take home.

Available in the spring term only.

“A perfect balance of fun and learning. All the children were full of it when they got back to school with many exclamations of ‘What an awesome day!’”Y5 teacher

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Belton Remembers*2 WorkshopsDiscover what life was like during the First World War at Belton Park.

Using critical thinking skills, objects and historic photographs; your pupils will discover the impact of the FWW on Belton, Grantham and nationally.

Then using FWW poetry written at Belton Park Camp, your pupils will be able to create their own poetry inspired by the either the First World War or their natural environment.

Available throughout the year.

The Christmas Treat1 Tour & 1 WorkshopLord and Lady Brownlow have just arrived home to Belton House.

As the family and servants get ready for Christmas, take a peak inside the Mansion. Then discover more about the annual Christmas Treat for the local school children.

Available on dates in November and December.

How has the park changed over time?*WorkshopThis workshop provides the opportunity for pupils to use aerial photographs, historic and contemporary maps and other source materials to create an understanding about how the Brownlow family had changed the environment over time.

Pupils will also investigate how this land use influenced the community and how the National Trust works to look after this special place.

Available throughout the year

How does the National Trust look after Belton House?*WorkshopThis interactive workshop looks at some of the different ways that the National Trust works to look after this special place from the Countryside Code to how we heat the house.

Available throughout the year

Garden ExplorersWalking tourUsing the formal gardens your pupils will look for clues about the history and design of the gardens.

Keep a look out for clues about some of the people who used to work or visit the gardens.

Available March to October

HabitatsWorkshopExplore the habitats in the Pleasure Gardens and discover what is living there. Choose from either: Mini-beast safari Pond Dipping

Pupils will use classification keys to identify the mini-beasts that they find. They will also be encouraged to identify what makes a good home for the mini-beasts they discover.

Available Mini-beast safari: March to September Pond dipping: May to July

[Working with classmates on a portrait of two brothers] “I think they would be proud to have their portrait painted because it meant they would be part of their family’s history.”Y6 pupil

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Key Stage Two

Tour & Workshop Local History

Geography Science Art & Design

English

Who worked in the House? ✓

A model estate village ✓ ✓ ✓

Who am I?* ✓ ✓

May Day Flowers ✓ ✓

The Christmas Treat ✓ ✓ ✓

Belton Remembers ✓ ✓ ✓

How has the park changed over time?* ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Garden Explorer ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Habitats ✓

How does the National Trust look after Belton House?

✓

Moondial ✓

Moondial Tour2 hour Walking TourThis tour supports the book ‘Moondial’ by Helen Cresswell.

Feel the empty eyes of the house watching you and the icy winds as you stand at the churchyard entrance.

Follow in Minty’s footsteps as your pupils explore key characters and stories in the places that they happened.

The tour leaders also provide insight about how Helen Cresswell was inspired by Belton House.

Available March to October.

Please note :Access to St. Peter & St. Paul’s Parish Church can’t be guaranteed, however there is an opportunity to see the ‘E.L.’ gravestone from the church gates.Belton Church Wardens do aim to open the church for National Trust visitors Wednesday to Friday in the afternoons.curriculum links

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The Summer TreatEvery summer term, the children from the village looked forward to their summer treat provided by Lord and Lady Brownlow - a day at Belton playing traditional games and picnicking.

Why not treat your class to a ride on the miniature train? £1.50 per child

Explore the gardensDownload adult helper guides or worksheets to help your pupils explore the gardens.

Borrow a Ranger PackWhether you’d like to go bug hunting or birdwatching in the gardens you can borrow all the equipment from the learning & community office.

£15.00 per day

Lead your own visit

“Thank you again for the absolutely fantastic welcome andpreparation that you and team put together this summer.”Y4 class teacher

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“Everything was perfect! Thank you! We really enjoyed everything and our visit was a lot of fun.”Y6 class teacher

Belton SketchesEncourage your pupils to carry a sketchbook with them to record ‘snapshot’ observations. Discuss with them the theme to follow when visiting Belton House.

Sketchbooks are helpful in providing a focus to your work. They can include drawings; written notes about thoughts and feelings; photos; leaves; etc. All of this enriches their learning and can be used as a basis for follow up work back at school.

To make it even more special order a Belton House sketchbook (with pencil crayons). £3.00 per child.

Paint the GardenThe Learning & Community Office can provide use of a selection of art materials for your class, including watercolour paints and pastels . £15.00 per day.

Visit the MansionIf you would like to visit the Mansion without a tour please do contact the Learning & Community Office.

Timed tickets can be arranged for your class on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons (between 12.30pm and 1.45pm). Booking is essential.

Undercover lunch spaceUndercover lunching areas are limited and must be pre-booked in advance of your visit. £10.00 per day

© Tower Collection, Aylesbury Archives

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Contact us:

© National Trust / Belton House Images: (c) National Trust Images / Rich Bamford / Instinctive Photogrpahy / Mark Fiennes. The National Trust is a registered charity and is independent of the government. Registered charity number: 205846.

Learning & Community Office Belton House National Trust Grantham Lincolnshire NG32 2LS

Direct line: 01476 542974 Estate Office: 01476 566116

email: learningatbelton@nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/belton-house