Preston Montford Outdoor Residential Centre Shrewsbury Field Studies Council

Field Studies Council offers fieldwork and outdoor learning for groups of all ages at centres across the UK. Trips use adventure and outdoor learning to expand children’s experiences and teach curriculum focused work to inspire everyone about the environment.

Primary field trips enable you to pick and choose from a range of exciting adventure or curriculum sessions to build your own trip. A visit to our centre will immerse primary school children in the natural world, taking in its sights, sounds and smells.

For secondary and A level groups we offer geography, biology and environmental science courses. Courses can be tailored to your own requirements to ensure you get the most from your visit and trips utilise the local environment to fully engage students.

Outdoor Residential Centre Shrewsbury
Residential activity centre shrewsbury

Preston Montford Field Study Centre is situated in the heart of Shropshire on the banks of the River Severn with views into Wales. Set in a 12-hectare estate which provides a rich range of habitats, including SSSI for educational groups to experience.

The centre has easy access to a wide range of sites from the South Shropshire Hills AONB, to Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, Ludlow, Birmingham and Snowdonia. Visit for fun outdoor activities, geography and biology trips at all ages. Fantastically accessible from the motorway network the Centre enables easy access to practically every type of habitat and urban setting in Britain.

Outdoor Learning courses are created to complement the curriculum, and engage pupils with subjects in fresh, hands-on ways.

Adventure learning encourages children to push beyond their comfort zones and discover what they’re capable of. With carefully tailored, age-appropriate challenges, every child is supported to grow their knowledge and learn in new and exciting ways.

• All our residential centres will provide you with:
• A qualified tutor to oversee your trip
• Pre-trip planning including itinerary, kit lists, and risk assessments
• Centre offers flexible rooming options and all bedding included
• Healthy filling meals from dinner on your first day to a packed lunch on your last day
• We hold Learning Outside the Classroom’s Quality Badge so there is less paperwork for you

LOtC

The GA Secondary Geography Quality Mark

SGQM Centre of Excellence

Duke of Edinburgh Approved Activity Provider

John Muir Award

Geography:

We offer a range of sessions and courses covering human and environmental geography through fieldwork. Most sessions have short classroom sessions before and after. Teaching is delivered by fully trained and experienced tutors.

We can deliver geography courses from KS2 to A level.

KS2 pupils can use maps, stories and games to explore the woods. Discover the plants and animals that live here and design and build dens.

For KS4 and A level students we link all of our courses to the exam board requirements for each subject and can tailor the course to your specific needs.

Science:

We can offer a range of biology courses from KS2 to curriculum-based A level trips. Students undertake ecological investigations in a variety of inspiring habitats and complete relevant required practicals, from a range of a range of topics.

We also offer contextualised learning opportunities for KS3 science, where pupils explore a local environment, habitat or ecosystem, eg rocky shore, freshwater or woodland.

Students will look at a variety of plants and common animals using age appropriate classification keys to identify living things we find in our woodland and in our pond habitats.

KS2 pupils can look at a range of habitats, learning about microhabitats and how they provide the basic needs for living things. Pupils can learn to identify the different structures of plants and name a variety of common animals. We will mini beast hunt and observe them in their microhabitats.

Primary:

We have a wide range of activities such as minibeast hunt, pond dipping, hiking, low ropes, eco-activity, rock climbing, bushcraft, orienteering.

Identify basic survival needs, explore the woods, build a shelter and forage for wild foods. Follow a woodland trail and search for tracks and signs. A day filled with team building and problem-solving activities.

We can cater for groups of various sizes. Courses have a minimum of 10 students and have a maximum capacity of 132

Our courses are created carefully to link to curriculum requirements. We can work with you to tailor content to fit in with work back in the classroom. Tailored resources will be supplied to use before and after your trip to prepare students and encourage follow-up work to be completed.

We provide a variety of resources to support outdoor learning, on the Field Studies Council.

A detailed risk assessment for activities and teaching sites is undertaken which forms the basis of a dynamic approach to assessment by trained staff whilst in the field.

Contact our team for latest prices and availability:

01743-852100

or enquiries@field-studies-council.org

We are always looking for ways to make trips affordable for all schools. We currently offer:

15% off for new residential customers

Late availability offer – 25% off school residential trips with an arrival date during the next three months

Off-peak pricing available 

–Different price bands are offered throughout the year to offer value for money. Many of our visiting groups take advantage of our off-peak prices between November and February. Talk to our team about the best options for your group.

Prices include: 

Course planning; fully risk assessed teaching sites; accommodation; specialist tutors; teaching resources; fieldwork equipment; classrooms and food. The only thing you need to add-on is transport. We even provide wellies & waterproofs at our residential centres.

Prices include: 

course planning; fully risk assessed teaching sites; accommodation; specialist tutors; teaching resources; fieldwork equipment; classrooms and food. The only thing you need to add-on is transport. We even provide wellies & waterproofs at our residential centres.

Please contact us regarding your needs, although we provide wellies & waterproofs at our residential centres. We provide a full kit list here

All field teachers are trained in first aid and group management.

Bar: We have a licensed bar stocked with local ales and spirits, wines, soft drinks and snacks

Capacity: Altogether we can fit 132 beds separated between three blocks, the Main House, Darwin and Wenlock.

Car Parking: There are parking facilities for approximately 30 cars available at the centre. 

Children’s Facilities: We have games and activities on-site for children aged 8+; however, younger children are welcome.

Common Room: Queen Anne Common Room, the Ante Room and Darwin Common Room.

Disabled Facilities: We have two disabled access rooms and other ground floor bedrooms available, with easy access. 

Hot and Cold Drinks: We have hot and cold drinks making facilities accessible around the centre.

Kitchen: Fully catered services for most dietary needs are available, as well as packed lunch-making services. 

Linen: All bedding is provided. Please strip your beds on departure. 

Lounge: We have an adult lounge area with comfy sofas. 

Outdoor Clothing: Outdoor clothing is available to hire but please note availability is limited.

Outdoor Facilities: Extensive range of on-site and off-site activities.

Self catering: Self catering is available.

Shop: Our shop sells drinks, snacks and souvenirs of your stay as well as a selection of Field Studies Council publications.

Wi-Fi: Free guest Wi-Fi is available throughout the centre.

Workrooms: We have six classrooms located around the centre. All have interactive televisions which can be linked to laptops. We also have one science lab which has a ceiling-mounted projector.

Disabled Facilities: We have two disabled access rooms and other ground floor bedrooms available, with easy access.

Mon-Fri, 9am–5pm

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By road – From the A5, take the roundabout exit signposted to Mid-Wales and Welshpool (A458). Half a mile along this road, turn right onto B4473, the centre is located on the left after approx. ½ mile. SAT NAV: SY4 1DX.

By train/bus – There is a bus from Shrewsbury bus station to Montford Bridge, which is then a 15-minute walk from Preston Montford. Shrewsbury Railway Station has a taxi rank outside and Preston Montford is a 10-minute journey.