The Hiram Trust is an educational initiative set up in England in 1994. It was inspired by similar work in Holland, established to deepen the understanding of the practical skills curriculum in Steiner Waldorf education.
Inspiration has also been drawn from the Arts and Crafts Movement; the contemporary craft education provided by Ruskin Mill Further Education Course in Nailsworth, Glos; and the Life Science Trust in Scotland which promotes Goethean science.
Schools seeking to establish an evolving awareness of the environment are also encouraged to use materials in handwork and craftwork, that can be responsibly obtained from their primary source.
THE HIRAM TRUST OFFERS:
SCHOOL VISITS
Development of practical skills curriculum in the outdoor classroom
Workshops and Lectures to meet specific requests
A variety of craft and practical project activities can be organised by the Trust to meet the specific requirements of a school or educational establishment.
Site Surveys
A site survey of the school's grounds is a fundamental part of the process of understanding its landscape and history. An experienced facilitator from the Trust will work with schools to enable pupils, teachers and parents assess the school's landscape resources and understand how these can support and enrich the environmental science and craft curriculum. Within each school those participating on the survey with the teachers remain responsible for the creation and integration of this curriculum, reflecting the environment, history, social and economic needs of the locality.
At any one time, The Hiram Trust is able to give priority status to four schools, reviewed annually. This entitles the school to negotiated consultancy time. At present the schools are:
BRISTOL WALDORF SCHOOLIONA SCHOOL, Nottingham : tel. 0115 958 7392
MICHAEL HOUSE SCHOOL, Ilkeston
WALDORF COLLEGE PROJECT, Stroud
SUPPORT FOR TEACHER TRAINING
The Hiram Trust contributes regularly to the following courses:
BA Hons in Waldorf (Steiner) Education at the University of Plymouth
The London Waldorf Early Years Training Course
Hiram Trust Course 'From Grains to Bread'
THE HIRAM TRUST PRACTICAL SKILLS TEACHER DEVELOPMENT COURSE
Living and Learning with Nature
Practical work provides many opportunities for cross-curricular learning as weell as staff development. This course has been designed to support both areas in ways that promote resourcefulness in the context of a school's grounds and landscape.
This is an accredited course through the Open College Network at level 3. The course is delivered over seven weekends in a school year.
The Assessment Profile, Hiram Trust Units and the Practical Skills course description is available here for downloading.
Application form is available from The Hiram Trust office
Tel/Fax 01453-764-065
CONFERENCES
THE HIRAM TRUST ANNUAL SUMMER CONFERENCE
This conference in the summer half-term is attended by colleagues from the Steiner Waldorf schools. It is firstly open for the meeting of Hiram Trust representatives in the various schools. The conference explores practicalities and in discussion new areas of education. The conference dates in 2005 are from May 27th - 29th. The theme of this years conference is 'Food, Nutrition and Education'.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
The Camphill Movement
Local Schools
Ruskin Mill Further Education Centre
