Type: School Trip Destinations

WEBSITE LINK: http://www.wwt.org.uk/centre/122/slimbridge.html

EMAIL ADDRESS: info@slimbridge@wwt.org.uk

CONTACT:  01453 891900

School Trip & Group Educational Information

Introduction for school trips and educational visits

Welcome to Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetlands Centre. It is here that you and your pupils can get closer to wetlands and wildlife. Natural wetland habitats and ‘hands on’ exhibits in the Discovery Centre combined with an interactive teaching session, make your visit to us a unique, educational experience. Slimbridge is operated by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), the only UK charity dedicated solely to wetland conservation for wildlife and people. Founded in 1946 by Sir Peter Scott, it has gone from strength to strength and now operates 9 Centres around the UK.

Why is this venue great for School Trips and Educational Visits?

WWT has an international reputation for producing lively, interactive, child centred education which is linked to the National Curriculum. Delivered by specialist teachers with support materials available for you to use before and after your visit. As well as the choice of one of our programmes, you may use the Centre and grounds here at Slimbridge for any other aspects of the National Curriculum. Your imagination is the only limit! Please call the Bookings Officer to discuss ideas on (01453) 891223.

What does a typical school trip or educational visit include?

We offer the following range of education programmes as standard to visiting school groups. Most last approximately 45 minutes and some have a follow up ‘hands on’ session. All are designed with reference to the National Curriculum and are delivered in a way that suits the age and ability of your pupils. All programmes are interactive – keeping your pupils on their toes!

Nursery – Storytime

Playgroups – Do Like Duck Does

Special Needs – Hands On Session

Reception - Stella Swan & Friends, Tommy Tadpole

Infants KS1 - First Encounters, Pond Explorer, Close Encounters

Junior/Lower Secondary - Discovering Wildfowl & Wetlands, Designs for Living Heading North, Family Life. Pond Explorer, Great Pond Safari

GCSE & A level
Programmes are arranged individually at this level and can include adaptations, bird behaviour and learning, comparative psychology, conservation, ecology, leisure and tourism and statistics. The grounds provide an excellent resource for art, photography and design and technology. Your imagination is the limit!

Special Needs
All ages and abilities are welcomed and programmes are individually arranged to ensure a really worthwhile and memorable visit. There are opportunities to handle feathers, eggs and other objects in a ‘feelie’ session. Other programmes can be arranged on request.

What size groups do they cater for?

We can teach up to 60 pupils during any of the following programme times: 10.15am 11.00am 11.45am 12.30pm 1.15pm (Not with Pond Explorer where the limit is 30). Please note that you may only book one programme per visit.

What can they provide you with to support your school trip or educational visit?

A variety of worksheets are available by either contacting the Centre on  01453 891223 or from the ‘Teachers’ section on our website:

http://www.wwt.org.uk/learn  

Can you take photos, video or audio? Are there any copyright restrictions?

Visitors are more than welcome to take photographs whilst on site, but we do request that groups/schools tell us before their visit.

How do you arrange a risk assessment?

Teachers and group leaders are invited to make a FREE preparatory visit to discuss details of the visit and to familiarise themselves with the grounds. Please telephone the Bookings Officer if you wish to use this service.

Full Risk Assessments can be provided on request.

Behaviour Code
It is very important that the behaviour code is followed as the birds roam freely amongst visitors. We ask teachers to discuss this matter with pupils and develop an agreed behaviour code which should include:

• Walk not run Speak quietly.

• Treat the birds kindly.

• Dispose of rubbish in the bins provided.

• Stay on the footpaths.

• Stay with your group.

In particular, pupils need to understand that running after a bird is counterproductive! The bird will think it is being chased and will try even harder to get away! The trick is to stay still and then the birds will feel confident about approaching.

Discipline
Teachers and supervisors remain responsible for discipline at all times and should ensure that their pupils are adequately supervised at all times.

What are the contact details for their education officer?

Sue Porter, Learning Manager, Education Department, WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre. Tel: 01453 891117 / Email: sue.porter@wwt.org.uk

What does it cost?

The price for 2008 is £3.70/pupil and £5.25/adult. University and above students are charged at £5.25 each. Teachers and helpers are admitted free of charge in the ratio of 1:10 for Junior and Secondary Groups, 1:5 for Infant groups. For Special Needs groups all essential Helpers are admitted free of charge. Please ensure that your pupils are adequately supervised.

(Please pay on the day of your visit, unless otherwise arranged to be invoiced)

Booking
All groups should book in advance to take advantage of the school admission rate and also to ensure the availability of time slots with the teachers. You may make a provisional booking by calling (01453) 891223. The booking form in the Teacher’s Pack must be completed and returned to confirm your visit and programme. We will then confirm details of your visit by letter. We ask that you inform us of any cancellation with at least one weeks notice as a small charge may be levied for late cancellation.

Is specific clothing required?

Please ensure that the children are appropriately dressed for this outside visit. The paths are surfaced but some approaches to the hides may be muddy in winter so wellington boots would be useful.

Do you have first aid on site?

For First Aid and other Emergencies please contact the gift shop or grain desk where a First Aider will be called.

What facilities do they have for school trips and educational visits?

Bird Food
Available in bags from the grain desk, by the exit to the grounds. You may order either large or small bags from the order form. Small bags are excellent for Reception and KS1 pupils. PLEASE ORDER YOUR GRAIN IN ADVANCE.

Cinema
Your pupils will be taught in our cinema / lecture theatre which has been transformed into an underwater experience. When we are not teaching there, we show ‘Planet Water’ a 15 minute video which is an excellent introduction to wetlands, the birds and the work we do here.

Gift Shop
The gift shop has an area dedicated to children. As this can become very busy at times, the shop will be open to schools from 10am onwards and we would ask you to please book your time in the shop at the admissions desk when you arrive.

Hanson Discovery Centre
Our new Discovery Centre is filled with hands on exhibits, information and displays! This is a great learning area which we recommend you plan time to visit. Toad hall can also be found in the Discovery Centre. An exhibit dedicated to amphibians. A worksheet is available for KS2 pupils.

Picnics
There is a large picnic area next to the car park and other smaller areas within the grounds. On rainy days there are several indoor areas which you may use. Please ask on the day.

Restaurant
You can buy hot and cold drinks and snacks from the Coffee Bean: 9.30am – 5pm, or hot meals from the Water’s Edge Restaurant: 12 – 2.30pm.

Toilets
There is a large toilet block in the car park, another 2 blocks within the Centre and another by the kiosk within the grounds. All have toilets for the disabled.

Tower
Access to the Observation Tower is strictly limited. Please check availability on the day. Please bear in mind also that on busy spring and summer days, especially, it may not be possible to visit the Tower. In this instance,
please use the Holden Tower for a closer view of the Estuary.

Are there disabled facilities?

• All ages and abilities are welcomed and programmes are individually arranged to ensure a really worthwhile and memorable visit.

• The centre has level access and hard-surfaced paths with tarmac on main routes (and compacted gravel on minor paths).

• All buildings and 12 of our 15 hides are accessible to wheelchairs.

• Free manual wheelchair loan (advance booking recommended).

• Hearing and guide dogs are welcome by prior arrangement.

• Wheelchair accessible toilets in the car park, throughout the visitor centre, and at the far end of the grounds.

• Free car parking on site. Tarmac surface and reserved bays for disabled visitors.

Featured Listing: No

Age of Children / Pupils:

• Pre-school
• 5 – 7 years
• 8 – 10 years
• 11 – 13 years
• 14 – 16 years
• College
• University

Region:

• South West England
• Wales

Type of visit:

• Arts & Galleries
• Green Awareness & Environment Centres
• Outdoor Education
• Parks and Gardens
• Picnic Areas
• Wildlife and Nature

Curriculum topics:

• Art and Design
• Citizenship
• Design and Technology
• English
• Geography
• Leisure & Tourism
• PSHE
• Science

Months Open:

• All Year Round
• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

Disabled Facilities: Yes