Discoverers’ Club Welcome Pack
Welcome to Joy to Learn and to the Discoverers’ Club. We are excited to have you with us and are looking forward to providing an encouraging and engaging environment where your child can explore, learn, make friends and have fun.
This welcome pack provides lots of information about the club and what to expect. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the individual needs of your child, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we will be happy to help.
About the Club
Discoverers’ Club is for electively home educated children aged between 6 and 16 years. ​
Day and Time:
The club runs on Thursdays, usually during term time. Please check the schedule for current upcoming dates.
The sessions run from 10am to 3pm. There is no long term commitment as you can sign up for the individual sessions that work for you.
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Cost:
£35 per day
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Place: High Winds, Yarnfield Lane, Yarnfield, Stone, ST15 0NF.
Our drive is opposite the road called ‘The Furlong’. There is no parking onsite.
How to Book
To enrol in the club, please complete the enrolment form on our website. One form will need to be completed for each child. We will then contact you to find out which sessions and dates you would like to book. You will then receive an invoice which can be paid via bank transfer or cash. Your child’s place will be reserved once payment has been received.
You will need to book and pay for the session at least 48 hours in advance of the start of the session.
What Happens at Discoverers’ Club?
Each month at Discoverers’ Club we will explore a different country. Each week will have a sub theme that guides our exploration. For example, the country might be Italy and the weekly themes might be Leonardo De Vinci, The Romans, The Merchant of Venice, and Volcanoes.
Children will cover a wide range of subjects such as English, Maths, Literature, Art, Science, History, Geography, R.E., Performing Arts, Languages, and Engineering. This is the beauty of project work. For example if the topic was Leonardo De Vinci, children would explore his art work (art appreciation) and learn how to draw in perspective (art), find out about the geography and culture of Italy (geography), learn a song, explore emotions and expression using masks and drama (performing arts) , find out about the significance of The Last Supper which was the backdrop for one of Da Vinci’s most famous paintings (R.E.), explore Da Vinci’s inventions and have a go at building some inventions of their own (STEM).
Each month and week has an over-arching theme, and each individual session has different activities, so a child who attends all the sessions will build up a comprehensive picture of the theme, however each session is self-contained, enabling children to attend just a half-day session here and there if they prefer.
Our activity learning days take place in our large home, where as well as a comfortable living room and equipped kitchen, we have a dance studio, large garden and also a quiet room if children need some time away from the busyness of the day. We provide a home from home environment and have lots of books, equipment and resources that the children can make use of.
How Much Do They Have to Write?
While writing is important, we also acknowledge that every child develops reading and writing skills at a different rate and some children who have attended school in the past may find written work scary. We allow each child to work at their own pace and to their own ability. Our activities are often discussion based and involve lots of experimenting and creativity. There are no grades and no failing. It is all about exploring and having a go. We encourage children in whatever stage they are at. Whether they need us to write things down for them, if they need to trace or copy words, or if they can write proficiently, we will meet them where they are at, give them the help they need and provide a supportive environment for them to improve and grow in confidence.
What About Additional Needs?
We have experience working with children who have additional needs, including those with ASD, and will work with parents to make any reasonable adjustments to help a child to access the club. If your child has additional needs, please discuss this with us before enrolling to ensure we are equipped to meet their needs. Children will need to be able to co-operate and be happy in a group setting, although of course we can make reasonable adjustments to help them and there is no pressure for them to interact with other children. We can provide a quite area for children who need a calm space to retreat to.
Will the Children be Outdoors or Sat at a Table?
We aim to mix things up so that quieter activities where children will sit down to do a task are interchanged with movement breaks or more physical, active tasks and games. Some activities will be taken outside, weather and ground conditions permitting. We ask that children always come to the club with suitable footwear and clothing for outdoor activities.
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About Our Leaders
Clare Berry and Hannah Hall are leaders at Discoverers’ Club. We keep our group sizes small and have a high adult to child ratio, ensuring that children are given 1-1 attention and that we are able to provide high quality tuition. Clare and Hannah both have DBS checks.
Clare Berry is a fully qualified teacher. She has worked in middle and secondary schools, specializing in science and design and technology. She took her daughter out of school in reception after realizing that the school was not meeting her daughter's needs. She taught both her daughter and son at home. After successfully guiding her children through GCSEs and A-Levels at home, both children have gone on to pursue their passions.
Her son gained a Masters degree in electronic engineering and now works as a software engineer.
Her daughter, Hannah Hall, pursued her dream of going to a professional performing arts college where, alongside her diploma in performing arts, she also gained her teaching qualifications in dance. She has worked as a dance teacher, sports massage therapist and movement coach.
After enjoying her own experience of being home educated, Hannah knew from before her children were born that she wanted to teach them at home. Now aged 11 and 6, her children have never been to school.
Clare has worked as a tutor for many years, specializing in helping home ed families. English and Maths are now her main subjects, and she has helped many children through their GCSEs. She has also provided a comprehensive home education for a small number of families, including children with EHCP plans.
Our Ethos
We believe that all children have the potential to succeed and that every child is different, therefore we meet children where they are at, adapting our teaching methods to suit the learning styles of the child. We create an encouraging environment, building confidence and fostering creativity. We believe that learning should be hands-on, relevant, and fun.
Our ethos and approach to teaching is rooted in a Christian world view.
Our educational content is carefully selected to be age-appropriate and reflect biblical moral values.
What to Bring?
Children will need:
A bottle of water
A snack
A packed lunch if they are staying all day
Suitable clothes and footwear for active and potentially messy activities as well as for outdoor activities. We may be outside in the rain and also in cold/hot weather so please come prepared.
Follow our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/joytolearn. We share our adventures there, as well as information about club dates and availability for private tuition for those who would like extra help with English or Maths.
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