Heritage Volunteering

Carew Academy

is a special academy for pupils aged 7-18 with a wide range of ability levels and additional learning needs, including complex needs

A number of you may know I’ve been part of a Heritage project, researching the lives of some of the girls who lived in the orphanage and which was at Carew from c 1868 to 1939.  The Royal Female Orphanage was, along with other philanthropic individuals, brought about by Sir Henry Fielding (the blind magistrate) in 1758 when it was known as  ‘Asylum or House of Refuge for Orphans and other Deserted Girls of the Poor’. The institution moved from Lambeth in 1868 for the sake of clean air and green surroundings.

Amongst many memorable events held to commemorate the heritage of RFO and St Mary’s Church, working with pupils (aged 10-13) at Carew Academy was very special -  an art workshop.  The children were shown a photograph of the orphans sitting down for a meal – it was recognised by them as the Great Hall* - the place where they too have lunch.  The ‘school room’ was also identified as the room now used as their gym.  The picture of a dormitory was not easily recognisable as part of the room currently used for domestic science.  The rows of tightly packed beds – an orphan’s only personal space-  led on to pupils drawing ‘your bed’ on paper, subsequently using aluminium wire to ‘draw’  3D bed.  The various thickness of wire was commented on – how easy, or not, to bend to shape, attempts to get all four legs flat on a surface.  One lad came back for another go.

The motto ‘Art enriches lives’ was observed in action. The need to understand materials, co-operate with others, along with concentration on the task were really positive outcomes, along with a nod towards history of Carew.

Above photo Carew Manor