INGESTRE HALL RESIDENTIAL ARTS CENTRE
Ingestre Hall is home to the UK's only dedicated residential arts centre. At Ingestre we deliver unique learning experiences through expressive and creative arts such as drama, visual art, music, dance, animation and photography. An Ingestre Arts residential is unlike any other, giving pupils the opportunity to explore a topic or stimulus, imagine, create, express themselves and realise their creative potential.
We have seen a real change in the progress and achievement of our children. Their confidence has increased exponentially. This has translated in the classroom into a better attitude for learning and greater confidence in taking part in whole class activities.
For schools seeking a creative partnership where children are empowered to become autonomous, independent learners then I wouldn't hesitate to recommend setting up a partnership with Ingestre”
Assistant Headteacher, Staffordshire
Accommodation:
Single beds
90 participant beds - and with so much floor space there are no squeaky bunk beds here!
27 acres to explore
Plenty of private grounds and gardens to play and explore.
Visiting staff areas
It's your home for the visit, and we want you to be comfortable too!
Professional studios
From lighting rigs and mixing decks to grand pianos and a kiln - we have professional studios throughout.
Facilities:
Ingestre Hall is a magnificent 17th century Jacobean mansion, set in 27 acres acres of private grounds in the Staffordshire countryside. Only 15 minutes from Stafford and Junction 13 of the M6, facilities and opportunities include:
Single beds for 90 participants
Sole occupancy of the hall - you'll only share by prior agreement.
Staff bedrooms are near to dormitories for easy night time supervision.
Wheelchair access - lift to mezzanine floor with accessible rooms, electric adjustable beds, wet room and carers flat.
Comfortable staff room for group leaders with wifi and kitchen area.
En-suite visiting staff rooms available.
Large dining room for a home-cooked meal each evening
Coffee / juice bar for break times
Professionally equipped studios throughout: art studio and kiln, animation suite, live performance and recording studios, and dance room.
All equipment and resources are provided where needed.
Games rooms - including board games, arcade machines, table football, ping pong, and pool.
27 acres of private grounds; outdoor games and changing area
3D Cinema room
Party/disco room and gift shop
Recording studio available for private hire.
Gallery:
Art forms & Activities:
Our activities are a vehicle to enhance learning or to acquire a new skill. By exploring a topic or stimulus agreed with you ahead of the visit, participants will create an original performance or artwork - often using skills and techniques that aren't available in school - and share it with the group at the end.
Music workshops include composition, recording and performance. Rather than simply learning to perform a piece of music, students use creative writing to express feelings and emotions, explore stories or learning themes. This approach builds a connection with a topic and allows time to facilitate a depth of learning.
Workshops include creating and recognising rhythms, playing instruments, singing, recording, production, and the visit culminates in a live performance.
Drama at Ingestre Hall focuses on creating an original performance. Students create short scenes and sketches in small groups which are then performed to the whole group for peer feedback, before refining and then building a collaborative piece.
Many styles are used at Ingestre, including Naturalism, Brechtian Theatre, Physical Theatre and Theatre of the Absurd. Thanks to the stunning environment, it is possible to create highly engaging, immersive, promenade and site-specific performances which engages students and puts the audience at the centre of the action.
Allowing students to explore a number of situations within a controlled, safe environment provides an ideal opportunity to enhance empathy, use initiative and build confidence.
Art workshops at Ingestre offer the time to explore a chosen theme with the depth and variety of techniques that may not always be possible in school. Skills and techniques used include drawing, printing, silk painting, wire, collage, canvas and textiles.
Pupils work individually and in small groups so that they can share ideas, develop reasoning skills, communication, social and team skills and increase self-efficacy. Visiting staff are encouraged to participate to learn new skills and to assist transfer of learning back to school.
At the end of the visit students host an Art Exhibition to the rest of the group which incorporates displaying and introducing the work, discussing themes, challenges, techniques and successes.
Our dance workshops are centred on creativity and performance, with participants exploring a theme and generating ideas rather than simply putting dance movements to music.
A variety of challenges help students choreograph their own movements in pairs, as small groups or individually which develops creative thought, the ability to share and discuss ideas, negotiating with and leading others. The visit culminates in a full dance performance created using both pupil choreography and teacher-led elements.
Dance styles used at Ingestre often incorporate Contemporary and Street Dance. Pupils are encouraged to express their own ideas in the studio and incorporate any dance skills that they may already have. This approach means that all abilities and levels of experience are catered for, nurtured and advanced.
Students experience the entire process of making a short film; from storyboard techniques and setting up shots, to starring in their own short film and using software to edit their footage.
The film making process is ideal for encouraging creativity, enriching students’ narrative abilities, learning production and technical skills, and developing a film language concerning composition and styling, appropriate to a given theme.
It is possible for the Film department to work alongside the Music department, with students providing the visual story of the song they have composed during their stay, resulting in their very own music video.
Our animation workshops provide a fantastic way to engage, empower and inspire children of all ages and abilities, allowing them to creatively explore their ideas while learning many valuable, transferable skills, in either 2D or 3D ‘claymation’ animation styles. Our stop-motion technique is used in film and TV favourites such as Wallace and Gromit, Pingu and Shaun the Sheep, providing students with a reference point for their own work.
Students will make their own backdrops, scenery and figures and create storyboards in which anything can happen.
When adding sound effects, music and editing their work, children are engaged in the full animation process, from initial ideas through to the final edit, including setting up cameras, shooting each frame, 'onion-skinning’ and editing using computer software.
Art workshops at Ingestre offer the time to explore a chosen theme with the depth and variety of techniques that may not always be possible in school. Skills and techniques used include drawing, printing, silk painting, wire, collage, canvas and textiles.
Pupils work individually and in small groups so that they can share ideas, develop reasoning skills, communication, social and team skills and increase self-efficacy. Visiting staff are encouraged to participate to learn new skills and to assist transfer of learning back to school.
At the end of the visit students host an Art Exhibition to the rest of the group which incorporates displaying and introducing the work, discussing themes, challenges, techniques and successes.
Here at Ingestre Hall we offer a variety of facilities for both fun and meaningful evening sessions.
Outside, we have 27 acres of grounds to explore and play, and we can facilitate night walks and bonfires which are incredibly atmospheric with such a dramatic backdrop!
Inside we have a 3D Cinema where the students can enjoy a wide selection of films.
Downstairs we have a WWI Field Hospital Exhibition - an interactive and immersive experience that can enhance any visit to the Hall and broaden subject knowledge. For a 3D glimpse and tour please visit here.
We have a fully equipped party/disco room for the students to dance the night away, along with a great selection of games to play; ranging from table football and ping pong, to pool tables, air hockey tables, Giant Connect 4 and arcade machines. These can be found both in the Great Hall and in our dedicated games cellar. Board games are also available.
We also have a tuck shop and souvenir shop stocked with lots of goodies.
Programmes:
At Ingestre there is the chance to imagine, create, and explore a topic. We develop independent thought, decision making, and give young people the confidence to try new things and express themselves. We work in partnership with schools and groups in many ways. These include:
Year 4 to adult / professional development.
Curriculum support & enhancement; creative, thematic courses to immerse participants in a topic.
Create artwork and performances that can be celebrated back at school.
Venue hire for rehearsal and revision
Achieve course work - develop skill, try different techniques, or create, record and perform.
Delivering Arts Award - Discover
Day visits & outreach
Non-school group activity programmes
CPD programmes
Location:
The centre is in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside, and just 15 minutes from Stafford and the M6 at J13.
Ingestre Hall Residential Arts Centre
Ingestre
Nr Great Haywood
Staffordshire
ST18 0RF
01889 270225
ingestre_hall@sandwell.gov.uk
