Learning
Learning at Shuttleworth
With two unique attractions, Shuttleworth is the ideal venue for your educational trip.
Discover enriching learning opportunities across our Collection of veteran aircraft, vehicle and heritage exhibits, and in our nine-acre (four-hectare) Regency garden, all with fantastic curriculum links.
With the added benefit of dedicated learning spaces on site, and a range of pre and post-visit extension activities to prime, reinforce, stretch, challenge and measure learning, we've got everything you need for an inspiring educational trip.
We are committed to lifelong learning and offer a diverse range of formal and informal education programmes, from EYFS to U3A.
From the moment the children entered Hangar 3, to their drop off by vintage bus, they were gripped! I was especially touched by how welcoming everyone was, from our expert guides to the many Collection volunteers we met along the way. Thank you! You can expect us to book again next year!
Learning opportunities
As an educational charity, the Shuttleworth Trust prides itself on being able to respond to the particular needs of visiting groups and we are happy to design bespoke learning activities to suit your requirements.
Explore our current programmes:
Learning spaces
The Collection and Swiss Garden both have dedicated learning spaces, which you will have exclusive use of. These spaces are also available to hire for educational purposes.
Discovery Workshop
Capacity: 60
You’ll sit at the heart of the Collection hangars to complete your activities, surrounded by early aviation interactives.
The space includes:
- Child-sized colourful tables and chairs, or adult seating and rectangle or round tables.
- Complimentary wifi
- 1 large screen, 1 networked TV, 1 touch screen networked TV
Garden Room
Capacity: 40
In this bright and airy space, nestled beside Swiss Garden, you’ll enjoy direct access to outdoor space. This is a secure compound with a dedicated toilet block.
The room includes:
- Heating
- Bi-fold doors to open it up for outside learning opportunities
- Complimentary wifi
- AV equipment upon request
The Discovery Team
As a part of the Shuttleworth Trust Discovery Team, young people aged 14-24 volunteer with us to host fun and educational family activities. In monthly meetings, fresh ideas and collaboration are encouraged to help lead the Trust into the future.
Our Discovery Team volunteers benefit from learning relevant new skills, meeting new people and excellent learning experiences. They also receive training and qualifications to add to their CV or Personal Statement.
The team run fantastic educational Discovery Zones across our air show season, offering young people the chance to be inspired by what we do here at Shuttleworth.
Competition hosting
We’ve hosted competitions for various organisations including the Matrix Challenge; Airbus; the Combined Cadet Force; the Royal Aeronautical Society; Institute of Physics; Historical Association; Engineering Development Trust; First Edition and the RAF Youth & STEM Team.
Youth groups
Shuttleworth makes an ideal venue for a trip for your youth organisation, and may also be used to gain evidence for badges/awards that you offer. This includes, but is not limited to, special interest tours focussed toward Air Training Cadets (ATC), CCF, Young Farmers and Woodcraft Folk.
We offer programmes aimed at both Scouting and Girlguiding badges at all levels and also have a dedicated Shuttleworth Quest challenge badge. We can incorporate these into an on-site camp, or you can even sleep over in the Collection itself. If you are an area organiser, why not consider us a venue for STEM challenges, or ask us about our Working with Artists programme?
Trails
We offer a varied seasonal schedule of fantastic childrens’ trails across both the Collection and Swiss Garden throughout the year. Why not download your trail ahead of your visit?
Sample learning programme
Each learning visit to Shuttleworth is tailored to your group’s needs. Here’s an example visit itinerary to give you some inspiration:
- 10:15 - Arrival and welcome at Visitor Centre
- 10:30 - Activities 1-3 in Hangars 1, 2 and our Discovery Workshop
Camouflage desktop activity, timeline exploration, trying on helmets and other interactive wearables. - 11:15 - Break
- 11:30 - Activities 4-6 in Hangars 4-6.
Storytelling under the wing of our DH.88 Comet, exploring outside and inside our Avro Anson. - 12:15 - Lunch
- 12:45 - Vintage bus ride across the site
- 13:15 - STEM activities in the Discovery Workshop
Building and flying chuck gliders, and racing cars. - 14:30 - Departure
Make an Enquiry
To enquire or make a booking please fill out the form below or email us at learning@shuttleworth.org
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