Ufton Court is an educational centre for children and young people where they can learn in a unique historical and environmental setting about themselves and the world around them.  In 2006 the Ufton Court Educational Trust (UCET) was formed as a registered charity to continue and develop the existing work at Ufton Court.

“I cannot express what a fantastic experience it has been for the groups of children that we have brought to Ufton Court. It had everything we wanted: history; spirituality; a sense of the world and its beauty.”                                                                                            St John the Baptist School ”The Court has a magic which I have not experienced at any other residential venue. Each visit becomes more special and every group develops a different feeling as if the house imparts something of itself to each child.”                                                      Broadmoor Primary School ”The children all had a brilliant time and learnt a lot about the Tudors and about themselves.”                                                                                             Falkland Primary School

The aims of the charity are:

• To provide a centre for educational excellence and innovation.
• To bring learning to life through access to a unique historical and rural environment.
• To provide a safe environment in which the skills needed for decision making, leadership, team building and                                         reflection can be developed.  
                                                                                                            

• Running programmes for schools during which the children and their teachers make Ufton Court their home and experience   living in a Tudor Manor house rich in living history, with priest holes and evidence of catholic raids and escapes.  The children experience many aspects of tudor life from domestic, farming and building tbanquets, dancing and archery. Their teachers are supported by staff and resources including costumes, drama and investigative activities.

• Providing a great variety of activities at Ufton Court that develop team building and leadership skills whilst helping to build children’s self esteem and confidence. The orienteering courses, trails and problem solving activities encourage communication and cooperation whilst providing challenge and a sense of achievement. The peaceful setting also gives children time out from noisy, action packed lifestyles and they are encouraged to take the opportunity for stillness and reflection, often for the first time in their lives.

• Optimizing the setting of Ufton Court's beautiful, secluded grounds that include medieval fishponds and extensive unspoilt woodland.  These provide the children with opportunities to explore the natural world in a safe, stimulating environment. Activities might include night walks looking for bats, earth walks, wildlife and habitat investigations, exploring an ancient oak tree or simply experiencing the ‘silence’ of the woods. For the many children from urban backgrounds who visit Ufton Court, these experiences are completely new and give them a fresh understanding and insight into the world around them.  

• Encouraging and enabling leaders who work with young people in innovative and exciting programmes. They are subsidised and promoted by Ufton Court. Hence a wide variety of youth groups from drama and arts groups, outdoor challenges and those working with disadvantaged children all use and benefit from the facilities at Ufton Court.                  

Ufton Court has been welcoming children and young people for over 25 years. Many of these have been school children who come for day and short residential visits with many returning again and again with schools, youth groups, arts and drama groups and even to get married!   For many of these children it has been the best communal experience of their lives and their time at Ufton Court has been a significant point in their development.

The Future

The Ufton Court Educational Trust will continue to develop and improve the courses and facilities available. Current projects include:

• Development of holiday programmes for disadvantaged and inner city children
• Conversion of outhouses for archery activities.
• Extending the provision for environmental learning
• Restoring medieval fishponds for environmental and historical activities.
• Restoring the Tudor herb garden.

The above projects will all be dependent on funds raised through donations, grants and sponsorship.

Funding

The Ufton Court Educational Trust is partially funded by schools, the children pay fees for their visits with Ufton Court helping to subsidise those in need. The Trust also has a trading subsidiary company, Ufton Court Ltd, which leases the site for weddings and corporate events. This still leaves a significant annual shortfall which is met through a series of fund raising events throughout the year, together with donations, grants and sponsorship from businesses, individuals and Trusts who recognise and value the work being done at Ufton Court.

Ufton Court is unique and provides young people with an experience they will never forget, one that is often a defining moment in their lives.

he Ufton Court Educational Trust is partially funded by schools, the children pay fees for their visits with Ufton helping to subsidise thos

If you would like more information or would like to support in time, money or skill the exciting work at Ufton Court please contact us by phone, mail or email on the details shown below.

Or why not consider becoming a Friend of Ufton Court ?

The Ufton Court Educational Trust
Ufton Court, Green Lane, Ufton Nervet, Reading, Berkshire RG7 4HD
mary.riall@.uftoncourt.co.uk  Telephone 0118 983 2099

UCET is a Registered Charity, number 1116659 and a Limited Company, number 5794281