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Leeson House is a Field studies centre in the heart of Purbeck. Purbeck form's part of the [[Jurassic coast]] a world heritage site chartered in 2001. Run as a day and residential centre by Dorset County Council Outdoor Education Service it has been providing safe and enjoyable environmental education for schools since 1966.
Leeson House is a Field Studies Centre in the heart of Purbeck. The Isle of Purbeck forms part of the [[Jurassic coast]] a world heritage site chartered in 2001. Run as a day and residential centre by Dorset County Council Outdoor Education Service it has been providing safe and enjoyable environmental education for schools since 1966.


The main house dates back to the early nineteenth century and consists of accommodation for up to 60 students plus staff, two dining rooms, two lounges, games/conference hall, changing room/drying room, a separate teaching block with fully equipped field laboratory, a library and two classrooms. The Centre has 7 acres of private grounds that contain a wide variety of habitats including 3 ponds, meadows and woodland areas. Their is also a bird hide, games field and a small campsite. Deer and badgers are frequent visitors to the grounds and a healthy population of newts reside in the ponds.
The main house dates back to the early nineteenth century and consists of accommodation for up to 60 students plus staff, two dining rooms, two lounges, games/conference hall, changing room/drying room, a separate teaching block with fully equipped field laboratory, a library and two classrooms. The Centre has 7 acres of private grounds that contain a wide variety of habitats including 3 ponds, meadows and woodland areas. Their is also a bird hide, games field and a small campsite. Deer and badgers are frequent visitors to the grounds and a healthy population of newts reside in the ponds.


<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Dinning room.JPG|Dinning Room
Image:Dinning room.JPG|Dining Room
Image:Main Hall Panorama_edited-1.JPG|Games Hall panorama
Image:Main Hall Panorama_edited-1.JPG|Games Hall panorama
</gallery>
</gallery>
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== History ==
== History ==


There has probably been a dwelling of some sort on or near the site of the present house for some 1500 years. The original name of the place, Lestington meant "the farm of the followers of lest". In 1805 Reverend John Dampier knocked down most of the farmhouse and built a new home he called it Leeson house. He later sold it to the wealthy Garland family from Poole to use as a second home. In 1903 it was sold again and became a girl’s boarding school. In 1940 the girls were sent home. The house was taken over by the [[Air Ministry]] and was used for top secret [[Radar]] research. They completed the worlds first successful tracking of a submarine, in Swanage bay. Due to concerns about the safety of the project it was moved inland after only 18 months. Several air raid shelters still exist on site. Currently there is a project in operation to convert a bomb shelter to attract the [[Greater Horseshoe Bat]] to roost. After the war it became a boy's boarding school until in 1967 Leeson House was officially opened as a Field Studies Centre.
There has probably been a dwelling of some sort on or near the site of the present house for some 1500 years. The site was recorded in the Domesday book as 'Lestington', meaning "the farm of the followers of Lest". In 1805 Reverend John Dampier knocked down most of the farmhouse and built a new home, calling it Leeson house. He later sold it to the wealthy Garland family from Poole to use as a second home. In 1903 it was sold again and became a boarding school for girls. In 1940 the girls were sent home. The house was taken over by the [[Air Ministry]] and was used for top secret [[Radar]] research. From Leeson they completed the world's first successful tracking of a submarine, in Swanage Bay. Due to concerns about the safety of the project it was moved inland after only 18 months. Several air raid shelters still exist on site. Currently there is a project in operation to convert a bomb shelter to attract the [[Greater Horseshoe Bat]] to roost. After the war it became a boy's boarding school until in 1967 Leeson House was officially opened as a Field Studies Centre.




== Field studies ==
== Field Studies ==


Leeson House offers a wide range of on and offsite activities. The use of the amazing variety of wildlife and geological feature's that is present in Purbeck create's a basis for academic study from reception to degree level. Leeson House programs are designed to compliment the national curriculum.
Leeson House offers a wide range of on- and off-site activities. The use of the amazing variety of wildlife and geological features that is present in Purbeck creates a basis for academic study from reception to degree level. Leeson House programs are designed to compliment the national curriculum.


== Gifted and Talented Courses ==
== Gifted and Talented Courses ==


Leeson House is Dorset's leading provider of residential enrichment courses for Able, Gifted and Talented pupils.
Leeson House is Dorset's leading provider of residential enrichment courses for Gifted and Talented pupils.




Revision as of 08:43, 6 February 2009

File:Frontage 3.JPG


Leeson House is a Field Studies Centre in the heart of Purbeck. The Isle of Purbeck forms part of the Jurassic coast a world heritage site chartered in 2001. Run as a day and residential centre by Dorset County Council Outdoor Education Service it has been providing safe and enjoyable environmental education for schools since 1966.

The main house dates back to the early nineteenth century and consists of accommodation for up to 60 students plus staff, two dining rooms, two lounges, games/conference hall, changing room/drying room, a separate teaching block with fully equipped field laboratory, a library and two classrooms. The Centre has 7 acres of private grounds that contain a wide variety of habitats including 3 ponds, meadows and woodland areas. Their is also a bird hide, games field and a small campsite. Deer and badgers are frequent visitors to the grounds and a healthy population of newts reside in the ponds.


History

There has probably been a dwelling of some sort on or near the site of the present house for some 1500 years. The site was recorded in the Domesday book as 'Lestington', meaning "the farm of the followers of Lest". In 1805 Reverend John Dampier knocked down most of the farmhouse and built a new home, calling it Leeson house. He later sold it to the wealthy Garland family from Poole to use as a second home. In 1903 it was sold again and became a boarding school for girls. In 1940 the girls were sent home. The house was taken over by the Air Ministry and was used for top secret Radar research. From Leeson they completed the world's first successful tracking of a submarine, in Swanage Bay. Due to concerns about the safety of the project it was moved inland after only 18 months. Several air raid shelters still exist on site. Currently there is a project in operation to convert a bomb shelter to attract the Greater Horseshoe Bat to roost. After the war it became a boy's boarding school until in 1967 Leeson House was officially opened as a Field Studies Centre.


Field Studies

Leeson House offers a wide range of on- and off-site activities. The use of the amazing variety of wildlife and geological features that is present in Purbeck creates a basis for academic study from reception to degree level. Leeson House programs are designed to compliment the national curriculum.

Gifted and Talented Courses

Leeson House is Dorset's leading provider of residential enrichment courses for Gifted and Talented pupils.


Friends of Leeson House

Dorset County Council website

Gifted and talented website

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