RSPB Fairburn Ings

Bring your class to Fairburn Ings to witness for yourself this site’s wild learning experience. Shaped by a long history of mining, Fairburn Ings has been transformed from a coal face to wild place. Situated in the Aire Valley, a mosaic of wetland, meadow and woodland habitat are waiting for your class to explore.

Look for a flash of blue at our Kingfisher screen, search our meadows for minibeasts and find out what lurks beneath our ponds. Our purpose-built classroom, pond dipping and minibeast areas provide an up-close experience to explore topics such as habitats, food chains and adaptations in real life.

We have a number of programmes to choose from for a half or full day visit from Early Years, to Secondary.

We also welcome bookings from uniformed and youth groups and can tailor your visit to suit your needs.

Our sessions are linked to the curriculum and take place in our wonderful haven for nature.

RSPB Fairburn Ings is the perfect setting for your class to have an enjoyable and memorable experience in our natural world. There is a visitor centre, boardwalk, pond dipping platforms and much more to make for a safe and immersive experience.

Visiting teachers are invited to subscribe to our e-newsletter which contains useful projects and teacher blogs to support continued work outside the classroom.

We have the LOtC Quality Badge.

We offer curriculum-based science and geography programmes from  EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3  upto GCSE

See further details of our sessions on our website.

Our sessions are aimed at groups of 30 children. If your group is larger or you have more than one group, then please contact us for more information.

We use our RSPB age appropriate resources and equipment to support our curriculum linked sessions. See the session outlines on our website.

We also have a wealth of teacher resources and ideas to continue your learning journey with us. You will find more information on our website.

Schools are welcome to take photographs of their own children.

A generic risk assessment is available on the website.

Please contact our Learning Officer using the email above.

Full details of pricing can be found on our website.

Although we have a classroom, our sessions are held outdoors so we recommend students are dressed appropriately for the weather. This may be waterproof boots and raincoats, or it may be sunhats and sunblock cream.

RSPB Learning staff are first aid trained to Appointed Persons status and will carry a basic first aid kit.

• Coach parking
• Toilets including disabled toilet
• Shop
• Group Pond dipping area
• Wildlife viewing areas
• Classroom housed in our visitor centre
• Outdoor education areas
• Picnic area indoor & outdoor

Accessible toilets and Visitor Centre/Classroom.  Please make us aware of any special needs at the time of booking so we can discuss necessary arrangements or adaptations to our sessions.

Please see our accessibility statement for further information Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve, West Yorkshire – The RSPB

Bookings can be made year round. School sessions are typically Mon to Friday 10am – 2:30pm during term time but weekend, evening and holiday sessions are available on request.

“Outstanding introduction to my new topic – the children were immersed in their learning and I will be able to draw on their experiences for a series of lessons.”

“Amazing as always, well trained staff, excellent facilities and fabulous setting with educational activities.”