Schools and family project shines light on history

Focus on 1620s House and Garden at Donington-le-Heath

A pilot for a new education programme, which brings together arts, science and history, is underway at one of Leicestershire’s leading heritage attractions – thanks to a £78,300 grant from Arts Council England.

Project Enlightenment, which is running at the 1620s House & Garden at Donington le Heath, involves schools, young people and family groups collaborating with a diverse range of artists to explore the 17th century Age of Enlightenment.

The project uses the history and heritage of the county council run 1620s site,  and its links to the Age of Enlightenment, as a basis to explore the arts and STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and maths.

It explores the gradual 17th century shift from a belief in witchcraft, alchemy and superstition to observations, experiments and analytical theory, led by a group of scientists and thinkers of the day. This group included Sir Kenelm Digby, whose father, Sir Everard Digby, was one of the gunpowder plotters. The Digby family owned the house from the 1400s to the 1600s.

This innovative project is a starting point for exciting collaborations between artists and schools. We're very grateful to Arts Council England for funding the majority of this project, which allows us to work with schools in new and creative ways to develop new programmes of activity. We hope that the project continues to inspire

Person:Richard Blunt, cabinet member for heritage, leisure and arts

Schools are now being encouraged to get involved with the project through one or more of the free key stage 2 and key stage 3 STEM, art and English workshops, which will be led by artists.

Places are limited, so teachers interested in taking part are asked to please contact Heritage Learning Officer Melissa Lewis with an expression of interest by 10 January on melissa.lewis@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 2172.