Difference between revisions of "SVR Education Services"
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| − | The SVR's '''Education Centre''' | + | The SVR's '''Education Centre''' was based at [[The Engine House]] at [[Highley]]. It provided a range of curriculum based school programmes, details of which may be found on the [https://web.archive.org/web/20121130085411/http://www.svr.co.uk/Education_EventsActivitiesFares.aspx archived SVR Website "Education Service" page] (external link). |
| − | == | + | ==History== |
| + | The SVR first 'entered the schools market' in Christmas 2002, operating eight "Christmas Cracker Expresses", trains that the railway promoted and operated for schools, nurseries and playgroups separately from the trains advertised in the 'Christmas Services Brochure'. These increased in number to fourteen and sixteen over the next two years.<ref>SVR News 148</ref> | ||
| + | The SVR's Education Department, or "School Education Service" as it was also known, was formed in spring 2003, initially under the direction of Education Officer David Mee. It began by operating two weeks of "Learn With Thomas" events at [[Arley]], which followed a more limited trial of the same event the year before.<ref>SVR News 143, General Manager's notes</ref> | ||
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| + | Although the following year's event, "Big Images for Little People" drew smaller numbers, it was sufficiently encouraging to give hope that it would establish itself in future years. An external grant was obtained in 2004 towards funding of the education programme. The SVR was also in the course of submitting an application for grant assistance to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the construction of [[The Engine House]], which required proof that there would will be a significant contribution to general education (of the general public as opposed to the narrower sense of 'school' education) in the project.<ref>SVR News 147</ref> Following approval of construction in late 2005, the Railway advertised the role of Assistant Education Officer<ref>SVR News 152</ref> By mid-2006 David Mee had become "Education Services Manager" and Mrs N Taylor was "Education Officer".<ref>SVR News 154</ref> | ||
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| + | Services developed to meet the needs of the national curriculum. By 2016 these included: | ||
| + | *World War related activities (Dig for Victory, an evacuation train journey, life on the Home Front activities such as rag rugging, the wartime kitchen and 'make-do-and-mend', classroom at War and the blitz, all with costumed re-enactors.) | ||
| + | *Wild Tracks, a fully escorted look at wildlife and River Severn, | ||
| + | *Local trades, archaeology, geology, arts or history. | ||
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| + | Some were held in association with [[Safari Park|West Midland Safari Park]], Severn Valley Country Park, the National Trust's Dudmaston Estate, Bewdley museum and Arley arboretum. | ||
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| + | In 2018 more than 10,000 children visited the Railway for educational activities. The Postcode Lottery awarded a grant to [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd|the Charitable Trust]] for the construction of an Anderson shelter and outdoor classroom to enhance the facilities for children to learn about air raids and experience.<ref>Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 30 June 2019</ref> | ||
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| + | When the [[2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic|COVID-19 pandemic restrictions]] were introduced, the paid educators were among those roles that became redundant. The education department was not reinstated when the restrictions were removed. {{As of|2024}} education services are not shown on the SVR website. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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==Links== | ==Links== | ||
| − | *[https://www.svr.co.uk/ | + | *[https://web.archive.org/web/20121130085411/http://www.svr.co.uk/Education_EventsActivitiesFares.aspx Archived SVR Website "Education Service" page] |
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Lottery funding]] |
Latest revision as of 10:16, 25 May 2024
The SVRSevern Valley Railway's Education Centre was based at The Engine House at Highley. It provided a range of curriculum based school programmes, details of which may be found on the archived SVR Website "Education Service" page (external link).
History
The SVRSevern Valley Railway first 'entered the schools market' in Christmas 2002, operating eight "Christmas Cracker Expresses", trains that the railway promoted and operated for schools, nurseries and playgroups separately from the trains advertised in the 'Christmas Services Brochure'. These increased in number to fourteen and sixteen over the next two years.[1]
The SVRSevern Valley Railway's Education Department, or "School Education Service" as it was also known, was formed in spring 2003, initially under the direction of Education Officer David Mee. It began by operating two weeks of "Learn With Thomas" events at Arley, which followed a more limited trial of the same event the year before.[2]
Although the following year's event, "Big Images for Little People" drew smaller numbers, it was sufficiently encouraging to give hope that it would establish itself in future years. An external grant was obtained in 2004 towards funding of the education programme. The SVRSevern Valley Railway was also in the course of submitting an application for grant assistance to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the construction of The Engine House, which required proof that there would will be a significant contribution to general education (of the general public as opposed to the narrower sense of 'school' education) in the project.[3] Following approval of construction in late 2005, the Railway advertised the role of Assistant Education Officer[4] By mid-2006 David Mee had become "Education Services Manager" and Mrs N Taylor was "Education Officer".[5]
Services developed to meet the needs of the national curriculum. By 2016 these included:
- World War related activities (Dig for Victory, an evacuation train journey, life on the Home Front activities such as rag rugging, the wartime kitchen and 'make-do-and-mend', classroom at War and the blitz, all with costumed re-enactors.)
- Wild Tracks, a fully escorted look at wildlife and River Severn,
- Local trades, archaeology, geology, arts or history.
Some were held in association with West Midland Safari Park, Severn Valley Country Park, the National Trust's Dudmaston Estate, Bewdley museum and Arley arboretum.
In 2018 more than 10,000 children visited the Railway for educational activities. The Postcode Lottery awarded a grant to the Charitable Trust for the construction of an Anderson shelter and outdoor classroom to enhance the facilities for children to learn about air raids and experience.[6]
When the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were introduced, the paid educators were among those roles that became redundant. The education department was not reinstated when the restrictions were removed. As of 2024[update] education services are not shown on the SVRSevern Valley Railway website.
References
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 148
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 143, General Manager's notes
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 147
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 152
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 154
- ↑ Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 30 June 2019
