Priory Country Park Education Service
Self-guided education visits
In 2008, for the first time, The Wildlife Trust are offering schools and community groups the chance to book free self-guided education visits. The Trust will provide the equipment, worksheet templates, activity instructions and generic risk assessments to help with the planning and organisation of your visit, but please be aware that our risk assessments are only made available to assist you with your visit and they are not a legally binding document. We recommend that you adapt them to your own specific needs.
Self-guided visits must still be booked in advance through our education centre at Randalls Farm. This ensures that you have access to all of the facilities on site including the Visitor Centre, toilets and any equipment you require for your visit.
To book your visit, and for further information, please contact Su Jenkins on 01234 768542 or email randallsfarm [at] wildlifebcnp.org
Please see the table below for a list of all the education activities offered on a self-guided basis.
Water |
|
Pond dippingKS1 & 2 |
A pond dipping platform provides a safe, accessible location for catching, observing and identifying wildlife in this wetland habitat. This activity can be used to develop observational drawing skills, and the understanding of food chains, life cycles and use of keys. Downloads |
Are you waterwise?KS2 |
A hands-on activity to learn how much water we use each day and to compare this with water usage in less economically developed countries. It includes a discussion into reducing water consumption. Downloads |
Bird countKS1 & 2 |
Students use binoculars to identify birds living on and around the lakes. They can observe and record bird species, behaviour and numbers from the designated bird hides. Binoculars and identification charts are available on request from the Visitor Centre. Downloads |
Plants |
|
Tree spottingKS1 |
An introductory study of leaf shape and type in order to identity different tree species. Students are encouraged to make careful observations about a tree of their choice and to draw these observations. Downloads |
Drawing leavesAll ages |
A simple, fun activity that develops observational skills, verbal description and drawing skills, involving teamwork and trust. Downloads |
Flower spottingKS1 |
Search for different coloured wildflowers in the meadow and learn about the parts of a flower. Make observational drawings or do some colouring in. Colour palette worksheet included. Downloads |
Colour palettesAll ages |
Create an artist’s palette of all the different colours in the meadow by collecting tiny samples of plant material and afixing them onto the worksheet. Downloads |
Habitats |
|
Wildlife estate agentsKS1 |
A set of cards each containing a description of an animal and its habitat needs, is read by the students, who then search for a suitable home. Once found they put up a ‘for sale’ sign, then try to ‘sell’ the home by explaining to the rest of the group why it is such a good place for that animal to live. A set of cards are available on request from the Visitor Centre. |
Trails |
|
Really wild walkKS1 & 2 |
A numbered trail along the edge of Priory Lake between the Visitor Centre and the bridge near the Slalom course. A continuing trail around the Finger Lakes and back to the Visitor Centre with ideas for further observations and activities can be undertaken. Activity bags and instructions available on request from the Visitor Centre. Downloads |