This page provides details and booking information for activities within our Lifeworlds @ The Greenhouse project. You will also find information about how to find The Greenhouse at Barnes Close where our activities are hosted on the outskirts of Birmingham, close to M5 junction .
Professional Learning Opportunities (CPD)
We specialise in the design and delivery of professional learning for educators, organisations and communities. We are able to offer bespoke courses to meet your needs, but also offer a number of open access courses that you can sign up for.
Our open courses for the 2024 school year are listed below with some running twice in the course of the year. To book simply fill out our booking form with the course code for your chosen date and we confirm your place by return of email.
Getting to Grips with Geography fieldwork
This course shares the principles and practices of geography fieldwork, finding engaging and dynamic ways to bring your geography teaching and learning alive. As well as exploring conventional fieldwork approaches the day will focus on bringing fieldwork into everyday geography and how to use the same principles and processes in other areas of curriculum and learning. Led by one of our geography specialists you will leave with practical ideas and have the chance for hands on experiences in the grounds of the venue. Ideal for geography co-ordinators/leads but open to all.
Course dates (and code): Mon 10th June 2024 (100624)
Full Day / Introductory / Primary / £85 Book here quoting course code for chosen date.
2 Day LEVEL 1: Philosophy for Children (P4C)
This is an official SAPERE P4C Level 1 course that will be led by our SAPERE registered trainer and enable participants to receive their Level 1 P4C certification. The course is open to all and does not assume any previous experience with P4C. You will be led through the principles and practice of P4C and have the opportunity to take part in enquiries and sample a selection of the tools and techniques that can be used with learners in a classroom setting. Attendance at both days of this course is required to be put forward to SAPERE for the certification at Level 1. P4C can be used in all curriculum areas, but may particularly suit literacy/English, PSHE, and Citizenship co-ordinators or school leaders.
Course dates (and code): Forthcoming - contact us if interested to know of next dates
TWO Full Days / Introductory / Primary and Secondary / £325 Book here quoting course code for chosen dates.
Reading Our World - literacy and picture books
This course deepens the power and potential of picture books and children's fiction to meaningfully engage children in learning and in the world around them. You will have the chance to explore a diverse range of books with different styles and from different parts of the world as well as frameworks to bring these into areas of national and whole school curriculum. Our specialists will share practical activities for the classroom and share practice-based experiences from 20 years of running this course. This course is ideal for literacy/English co-ordinators/leads but open to all.
Course dates (and code): Forthcoming - contact us if interested to know of next dates
Full Day / Introductory / Primary / £85 Book here quoting course code for chosen date.
Living in powerful times - navigating change and imagining our futures
This day workshop explores the implications of living in powerful times. When the world around us can appear to move so quickly and unpredictably, how do we find our way as individuals and with those we work, play, live and connect with. We will use a variety of approaches to help embrace uncertainty and recognise the powerful opportunities that it presents to imagine our futures differently. You will be given tools and techniques to use in your own setting and to support wider conversations with those who care to make a difference. The session will also provide the opportunity to meet with persons and organisations who are thinking about these things and for new connections to emerge and take root. For teachers and educators this workshop will give you ideas to use with young people who are experiencing many of these feelings for themselves.
Course dates (and code): Mon 8th Jul 2024 (080724)
Full Day / Introductory / Primary, Secondary & Community / £85 Book here quoting course code for chosen date.
Real World Maths - seeing the maths around us
This course takes a practical and applied approach to enliven maths through real world contexts. You will consider how mathematical thinking can help us to decode and understand the complex world in which we live. We will share activities that encourage the development of a mathematical eye and provide you with ideas to take back to your own setting. Led by our Maths Mastery specialist this course will also make unique use of the Springhead grounds to expand our mathematical imagination. This course would be useful for Senior Leaders, Curriculum Leads, Maths Leads and Phase Leaders, together with any teacher with a passion for maths, or who wants to connect maths within other curriculum areas.
Course dates (and code): Mon 20th May 2024 (200224)
Full Day / Introductory / Primary / £85 Book here quoting course code for chosen date.
Getting to Grips with Peace Education (in collaboration with Peacemakers)
Our 'Getting to Grips' courses introduce pedagogical ideas using experiential approaches and meaningful connections to existing practice. This course focuses on peace education with an emphasis on understanding what peace means for us, and explores approaches that help children and adults learn the skills needed to nurture healthy relationships and peaceful spaces in schools, including the school grounds. The course draws on the values of restorative practices, mediation and conflict resolution. Led by a specialist peace educator you will be introduced to key ideas, tools to use in your setting and opportunities for further learning. Useful for senior leaders, PSHE leads, learning mentors and pastoral leads.
Course dates (and code): Mon 17th Jun 2024 (170624)
Full Day / Introductory / Primary / £85 Book here quoting course code for chosen date.
Learning Through Values
'Values' are everywhere in the life of a school and in our teaching and learning, but how much do you really understand about values and about how they work? This course introduces you to the fascinating world of values and their implications for your school culture and curriculum. From practical classroom examples to important leadership considerations, you will be guided by a leading authority in this area. Participants will each receive a copy of the Learning Through Values guidebook to support the application of their learning and be given options to further their learning in an online follow-up course.
Course dates (and code):Forthcoming - contact us if interested to know of next dates
Full Day / Introductory / Primary & Secondary / £85 Book here quoting course code for chosen date.
I'm a learner, get me out of here - outdoor/nature learning
An active day course that focuses on taking learners outdoors to learn with nature and bringing nature indoors too! It explores how nature connectedness can help children and adults to thrive in their learning. We will share practical ideas and insights from emerging research and an animation project that will be used as part of the session. You will leave with many ideas and activities to use in your own setting and having had the chance to try some of them out during the day.
Course dates (and code): Forthcoming - contact us if interested to know of next dates
Full Day / Introductory / Primary & Secondary / £85 Book here quoting course code for chosen date.
How to find The Greenhouse @ Barnes Close:
Train - the site is not within walking distance of a station but is a short taxi ride from the following stations:
- Longbridge Station (9 min / 4.9 miles)
- Barnt Green Station (10 min / 4.6 miles)
- Bromsgrove Station (12 min / 6 miles)
Driving - the site is conveniently located 5 mins from the M5 junction 4 if travelling by road. Use postcode B61 0RA for Sat Nav or use the following prompts:
- Exit M5 at Junction 4 taking the A491 exit to A38 (B’ham (SW) Stourbridge)
- At Lydiate Ash Interchange roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Sandy Lane (A491)
- Turn right onto Money Lane (B4551)
- Turn right onto Malthouse Lane
- Take the first left and follow the road under the tunnel
- Turn left until you come to The Greenhouse at Barnes Close gate and entrance.
As you arrive on site, continue up the drive past the main house and bear left behind the house where there is a parking area. Please park on the hard standing area only and allow space for others.