Education

In my even more unscientific categorisation of the responses there were some very interesting results. The most frequent responses with one in five mentions, were the actual institutions of schools, colleges and universities. The next most frequent responses were subjects (maths being uppermost), followed by emotions (mostly negative) and then the purpose of education in learning and developing. Research analysts would pull my entire methodology apart, but I got a very strong sense that the vast majority of the responses were referring to the education system and specifically to formal schooling.

Yet nowhere in my dictionary does the definition of ‘education’ mention schools whatsoever. There was the usual ‘instruction, bringing up or training’ but my favourite was ‘the strengthening of the powers of body and mind’ (Chambers Concise).

Add in the Cathedral’s strategic plan, which says one of its commitments is ‘To promote learning, personal development and spiritual growth’ and the wider meaning of ‘education’ which we advocate begins to become apparent.

Although they are obviously important, school days are just a fraction of the average lifespan and one would hope that every individual continues to learn and grow throughout their entire lives in many different ways which would not be formally classed as education but which can in fact be life-changing.

I am a passionate believer in opening up worlds to people of all ages, and the world of the Cathedral is so very rich and varied. What we are constantly trying to do here in Cathedral Education is to create opportunities for such encounters and to unlock the potential for transformation.

The Cathedral is a unique resource and the team at the Education Centre provides a service for visiting individuals, families and groups to encourage engagement with its religious and spiritual life, its history, heritage and art.

We offer a wide-ranging programme of educational activities, workshops and events running throughout the entire year. In recent years, the volume and breadth of events as well as the number of those using our services has greatly increased: 151 events for 5,723 learners in 2006 rising to 223 events for 8073 learners in 2009.

Whilst the level of provision for schools and colleges remains a significant part of our work, one in four of the visits or events is for older learners, families and adults - and this figure is growing.

Family activities would not generally be acknowledged as formal education but learning, growth, development, encounter and the unlocking of potential is certainly in abundance here. This may happen by simply following the new children’s trail through the Cathedral, learning together and making shared discoveries, or creating something artistic and laughing when it collapses.

It may be the mixing of different generations, in children actually leading adults through a task, in meeting new people or new situations here, or experiencing and recognising together a sense of something beyond the everyday. It cannot be formalised or measured but it is all part of this wider definition of education.

This summer there are many activities specially planned for families. During three weeks in August, there are a range of ‘art and craft’ workshops for families and children by themselves to come and enjoy our wonderful Cathedral space.

Whether it is an outdoor large scale craft session called ‘Art in the Close’ or an indoor, more specialised art session using the Cathedral as a stimulus, there is something for all ages.

Some sessions are bookable, whereas some are drop-in to give families extra flexibility.

But the Cathedral is a resource for all of us, not just families or schools. The recent visit by the Red Hat Ladies, a group of adventurous and like-minded women, is a case in point.

With a Cathedral highlights tour, a hilarious session making clay gargoyles and a close-run treasure hunt in the Close, they not only cut a sartorial dash but realised, some for the first time, what a fascinating, multi-faceted and ‘living’ place Salisbury Cathedral is.

So drop by this summer and join us in the family activities, perhaps find out from us about next year’s Art for Adults courses or just get a few of your friends to join you to take a specialised tour of the Cathedral on an aspect you have always wanted to know about but never dared ask. The Education Centre can organise a tailor-made visit.

In fact, forget the word ‘education’ with all its slightly negative connotations and notions of formality and come to the Cathedral this summer to strengthen your powers of body and mind instead!

Sarah Rickett, Head of Education