We recently welcomed pupils from Portal House School to Invicta Lodge in Westwood Cross, for a practical financial learning exercise outside of the classroom.
Portal House School is a special educational needs (SEN) school serving children with a wide range of learning needs from across the Kent area. The school is committed to providing meaningful, real-world learning experiences that build confidence, practical skills and independence.
The visit gave the young people a unique window into retirement property, independent living and the real-world costs of housing choices in later life.
During their visit, the students were challenged to carry out real financial calculations, comparing the cost of purchasing or renting an apartment at Invicta Lodge against the ongoing costs of care homes.
With apartments at Invicta Lodge available to buy from £299,950 or to rent from £2,000 per month, the pupils discovered that independent retirement living compared very favourably with the cost of a care home - adding greater independence, community and quality of life into the mix too. Working through the figures themselves, they gained hands-on experience of budgeting and property valuation that goes far beyond the classroom.
The highlight of the day for many students was hearing directly from two Invicta Lodge Residents about their remarkable careers and adventures. Heather shared stories from a fascinating and varied working life that included contributing to the construction of the Channel Tunnel, conducting research on insects, and serving as an army driver in New Zealand. While Rick captivated the group with tales of his time in the Merchant Navy, which he joined at just 17 years old.
The pupils were then treated to milkshakes, and each received a personalised keepsake mug, which they designed themselves, as small token reminder of their day at Invicta Lodge.
The visit doesn’t end there though. Portal House School will now be designing a dedicated notice board showcasing their work from the day, which will be displayed at their upcoming parents’ evening - giving families a chance to see the financial skills and knowledge gained.
Charlie Gray, Divisional Marketing Lead at Churchill Living, said: “We are so pleased to have welcomed the students from Portal House School to Invicta Lodge. It was a joy to see young people learn and engage so enthusiastically with the realities of property and financial planning, and to hear our residents’ stories clearly make such an impression. Visits like these remind us of the wonderful community we have here in Westwood Cross, and we hope the pupils left feeling inspired too.”
Gabriella Marsh at Portal House School, adds: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the team at Invicta Lodge for providing such a welcoming and engaging experience for our students. The visit gave our pupils a valuable insight into future career opportunities and helped them understand how skills they learn in school, particularly maths, are used in real-life situations such as budgeting, comparing costs, and making financial decisions.
"Meeting residents and hearing about their varied careers also broadened their understanding of the many different pathways people can take throughout their lives. The morning was also a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop their confidence and social communication skills by interacting with people from different generations in a friendly and supportive environment.
“Experiences like this help prepare our young people for adulthood by building independence, confidence, and aspirations for the future.”
Invicta Lodge is a collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments designed for the over 60s. Each apartment is self-contained, with residents also benefiting from access to a communal lounge with coffee bar and landscaped gardens, as well as a guest suite for visiting friends and family.