The Redstone Centre offers a unique educational environment which caters specifically for the needs of primary school children. We are a family run, rural activity centre, specialising in earth centric learning in 18 acres of beautiful Cheshire countryside, perfect for a fun-packed school trip! In addition to our many on site activities we also visit schools across the UK to deliver a range of engaging and rewarding willow weaving workshops.

 At our site we have ponds, secluded wooded areas, streams, three event fields, three indoor teaching spaces and we also have nine outdoor team building activities which are suitable for both teachers and children. These facilities have been built sympathetically into the site so that they blend in and use natural materials. 

We have a great deal of experience delivering bespoke sessions, including willow weaving, team building exercises, bush craft and many ecological activities. The activities encourage pupils to work together but also stimulate individual development while allowing the students to learn through nature. All of these activities at the centre can be combined with the national curriculum at the relevant key stages and can be tailored to accommodate the specific needs of the school while focusing on ecology, farming, biodiversity and environmental education. 

At the Redstone Centre we set out to offer a hands-on context for delivery of the school curriculum, in a relaxed and friendly setting for teacher inset and training days, school trips or school activity weeks.

Willow sculptures made on a gifted and talented day organized by St Albans Primary School. The children worked in small teams to create their sculptures. Below left shows a willow sculpture of a cat and below centre is a willow rabbit!

A range of workshops are available at the Redstone Centre or in the comfort of your school

As holders of enhanced CRB checks we have vast experience working with children within schools. Working with willow helps to exercise creative skills and is also great fun! It can be incorporated into any school theme to provide stunning indoor willow sculptures or enhance a playground through the addition of living willow sculptures such as play tunnels or domes. 

Willow workshops can be used as a cross curricular vehicle to incorporate elements of literacy, numeracy, ICT, design and technology and PHSE. Willow courses are fun for both teachers and children, most children really enjoy creating something with willow - those who are not academically gifted often excel in a creative willow workshop, giving them a much needed confidence boost. The children can use the willow withies to create unique willow sculptures and crafts. 

BASKETRY - From beginners to improvers, we can offer new skills and techniques in willow basket making. Learn about material selection and take home your own beautiful basket.

WILLOW SCULPTURE - Come try out our tried and tested methods for producing bespoke willow sculptures, from seasonal decorations to animal and other forms.

WILLOW STRUCTURES - We will teach you about material preparation, care and preservation in order to make plant supports, bird feeders and hurdles amongst others.

BUSHCRAFT AND SURVIVAL - Enjoy a course tailored to your particular needs and interests, from shelter and camp fire building to wood-craft and cooking on a campfire.

OUTDOOR CHALLENGES - Sample a range of the outdoor activities we offer on our 18 acre rural site. Challenge yourself with 3D puzzles, ravine crossing and problem solving activities.

Teacher Training

Teacher Teambuilding days 

 

We can run bespoke teacher team building days, ideal for teacher inset days, that can be held at our stunning Cheshire venue or off-site on your own school premises.

 

These could include combining willow weaving with team building by working as a team to build a creative group willow sculpture, living willow structure or art piece.