Valentines Mansion & Gardens Schools Programme
Valentines offers an exciting education programme for school children, exploring the house and gardens, and including role play activities at Key Stage 1 and 2. Sessions are led by experienced education staff from Redbridge Museum. 'Let's Explore' boxes facilitate themed activities in the house and gardens.
Education sessions
Key Stage 1
Children enjoy a hands-on and playful workshop in the Victorian kitchen. Activities include dressing up, role play, story telling and object handling. The class then works in self-led groups exploring the Mansion & Gardens, using the teacher's choice of Let's Explore boxes.
Key Stage 2
Children take part in 'The Mansion Mystery' workshop, becoming history detectives by using objects and historical evidence to uncover who lived and worked at the Victorian Mansion. The class then works in self-led groups exploring the Mansion & Gardens, using the teacher's choice of Let's Explore boxes.
Let's Explore Boxes
Each box contains a range of activities designed for group work and to stimulate peer learning, for example jigsaw puzzles, costumes, props and sorting activities that link with each topic.
KS1 boxes:
- Houses and Homes
- Senses
- Habitats
- Maths in the Mansion
- Pictures
KS2 boxes:
- Victorian Design
- Portraits
- The Garden
- Trees
- The Servants
Adult helpers
The Let's Explore boxes contain self-explanatory activities designed to be led by the Class Teacher, Teaching Assistant and 3 adult helpers. In order to facilitate these group activities we strongly recommend that any adult helpers are able to work with a small group, read instructions and guide the group through their activities.
Bookings
Dates: Please contact us for session dates and times
Cost: £125 per class
To book a session, please email redbridge.museum@visionrcl.org.uk
Please provide the following information when booking a session:
- Preferred dates (at least 6 weeks' notice)
- Size of group including a minimum of 4 adult helpers
- Contact details – name, telephone number and email
- Any special needs e.g. access, language or learning
- Transport requirements (charges apply)
Cancellations and amendments
For cancellations under three weeks' notice, full payment will apply.
For cancellations over three weeks' notice, a charge of £40 will apply.
To amend your booking (e.g. change of dates), a £20 modification fee will apply.
More information
Transport
We can arrange Redbridge Transport coach hire for Redbridge schools at a special reduced price.
Alternatively the Mansion has excellent bus and tube links and limited car parking space (charges apply).
Lunch facilities
Lunch can be taken in the garden or in an outdoor sheltered area. If you require benches for this area, please indicate when booking.
Schools outside Redbridge
We welcome schools from outside the London Borough of Redbridge. Transport cannot be arranged but Valentines Mansion has limited paid car parking spaces and bus and tube links within a few minutes' walk.
Access
We welcome groups from special schools within or outside Redbridge. Valentines Mansion has level access throughout and a lift to all floors.
How to find us
- Tube: Gants Hill Underground Station (Central Line). 5 minutes' walk
- Rail: Ilford National Rail, direct line from Liverpool Street Station
- Bus: Take bus routes 123, 128, 150, 167, 179, 296, 396 from Gants Hill Underground Station or Ilford National Rail to stop 'Valentines Mansion and Park'.
- Cycle: Cycle to the Mansion through Valentines Park. Cycle racks are provided at the Mansion.
- Road: Easily accessible from the A406 (junction for A12) and the M25 (junction 27 for M11 and follow on to the A406 East). Car parking is available at the Mansion (charges may apply).
Contact us
For schools bookings: email redbridge.museum@visionrcl.org.uk
Valentines Mansion & Gardens
Emerson Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4XA
Website: www.valentinesmansion.com
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