ART, HISTORY, NATURE & ENVIRONMENT
Weekly workshop sessions for home educated children,
in the inspirational setting of Ventnor Botanic Gardens.
Grow & Learn has been established to provide learning workshops for locally home educated children between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. The group runs on a Thursday from 9.45am – 1.00pm in the inspirational setting of Ventnor Botanic Gardens. Located in the 'Canna Room', a modern, spacious room overlooking the gardens, the workshop includes access to the gardens, playpark and outdoor spaces.
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The sessions are led by Historian and storyteller Holly Medland Lees (formerly from Unravelled Learning) and Lucia Para, an Italian artist, illustrator and early years teacher (Lev. 6 EYTS). Read more about Lucia, her work and approach here.
The weekly sessions will be an exciting mix of nature, art, history and science inspired activities plus a chance for creative play. We will also have regular sessions with Trish the VBG gardener learning about their plants, and they'll even be a few trips to the beach at the beautiful Steephill Cove which is just 5 mins away.
We also have special guest speakers to introduce the children to subjects such as well-being, fossils, film-making, history and music, together with inviting members of the local community to come in and talk about their jobs, different cultures and experiences.
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Aims
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To let children explore and understand the natural environment.
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Allow a supportive structure for children to problem solve.
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To provide hands on experience of nature, plants and animals.
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To create a community-led approach to nurturing and supporting children and parents.
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To encourage collaboration between all involved to bring about the most inspirational, nourishing and exciting program of support for home educated children on the island.
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Ventnor Botanic Gardens is the perfect safe, enclosed setting for children and has a wealth of resources
where children can learn directly from being in nature. The group will run every Thursday breaking for half terms, Christmas and Easter holidays. Although the group are drop-off sessions, parents are welcome to stay on site at the gardens (where there are also a range of well-being sessions and programs you can get involved in) or even stay with their child in the sessions, whilst they settle in. There is also a lovely cafe on site which parents are welcome to use, or even use the Wi-Fi and catch up on some work! We are very flexible and understanding so please contact us for a chat if you have any particular requests.
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Term dates and payment
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September: Thursday 14th, 21st, 28th
October: Thursday 5th, 12th, 19th (break for Autumn half term)
November: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th​
December: 7th, 14th
CHRISTMAS BREAK
January: 11th, 18th, 25th
February: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
March: 7th, 14th, 21st
EASTER BREAK
April: 11th, 18th, 25th
May: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd,
June: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th (Half term break)
July: 4th, 11th, 18th
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Sessions are £19.50 per week and can be paid in advance or weekly.
Register your interest
So we can provide children the attention they need, places are limited (max. 10 children). If you are interested in your child(ren) attending the sessions, please fill in the form below and we will be in contact shortly to discuss the next steps!
You can come along to try a whole session for only £10.00 (new children only) or come and say 'hi' for an hour free of charge.