Secondary Schools

We work closely with local schools to provide arts expertise to enhance curriculum learning. We have established ongoing relationships with teachers and students, becoming part of the community and learning resources in the area.

We strongly feel that Lauderdale House is for all and by connecting students to the House and Park we deepen their connection to the area and build bridges in the community. 

We feel that by using the arts, not only within arts lessons but in other areas of the curriculum, all students benefit and are more engaged. We feel that the arts are a powerful tool to learn. We have a strong focus on evidencing the positive impact of learning through the arts on students.

The Art of Dispute is a poetry project developed by renowned poet and performer Deanna Rodger.

It is an inspiring spoken word project that enables young people to explore the theme of human rights. The Art of Dispute is inspired by Lauderdale House’s former resident, the prominent Quaker William Mead.

Mead's fight for freedom of religion and the right to a fair trial was instrumental in establishing the right of a jury to deliver, independently, a verdict without fear of reprisal, even if that verdict was ‘perverse’.

Through a series of sessions delivered with professional poets, project participants explore the power of words to respond to issues that are important to them today such as gender, racism, sexuality and education.

This project is currently possible thanks to funding from the Sigrid Rausing Trust.

'I learnt how to express my voice effectively, and how to manipulate language to communicate powerfully.'

- Participant, The Art of Dispute at Parliament Hill School, Spring 2019

The Tudors: Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know is an exciting and innovative project that engages young people in their local history and the Tudors through drama, costumes, beat boxing, lyric writing and art.

In the summer term 2018, Parliament Hill year 7 students learnt about the English Reformation and its impact on people from vagrants to royalty, including the residents of Lauderdale House, in this unique project.

The whole of year 7 visited Lauderdale House then took part in sessions back in the History lessons at school led by specialist artists. 

This is a project developed by Gemma Rowan, producer and founder of Sounds like Chaos, and delivered by Gemma as well as other inspiring and experienced artists.

We have also developed a project Bad Bess & the Golden Age for GCSE students studying Elizabeth I. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with an improvement in attendance.

'This has been a fantastic experience for students, but perhaps more importantly it has really helped inspire the teachers of year 7 and has already influenced the way in which we are teaching students across the key stages'.

- Teacher, Parliament Hill School
 

We are always keen to work with secondary schools in the local area. 

Examples of previous projects include Conceal Reveal with photographer Marysa Dowling as well as an Architecture project. We’ve also hosted exhibitions of students work in our Courtyard Space.

All our projects use the heritage of the House as a starting point and encourage students to use local resources and connect with the local community.