Learning Programmes and Activities

Protecting Wildlife for the Future Dartford

Sheerness LEARNING PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES 3 Jeffery Harrison Ramsgate Visitor Centre Visitor Centre Maidstone Canterbury

Bough Beech Visitor Centre Tyland Barn Visitor Centre Our Tunbridge Wells and Nature Park Ashford Dover Tyland Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3BD Education Located in the centre of the County, the nature

Romney Marsh park at Tyland Barn has been specially designed Visitor Centre to represent – in miniature – the diverse range of Centres habitats to be found in . With a large pond, meadow, chalk bank, hedge, scrub and even a shingle beach, the site is a very flexible location Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve Bough Beech Reserve for a range of fascinating studies. Romney Marsh Visitor Centre and Visitor Centre and Visitor Centre Visitors to Tyland Barn can enjoy the benefits of and Nature Reserve Winkhurst Green, , TN14 6LD Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, an indoor classroom, external teaching and picnic New Romney, TN28 8AY TN13 3DH The 19th century Oast House and shelter, café and toilet facilities. Coaches can drop The 23 acre reserve at Romney Warren This wonderful site consists of five surrounding reserve at Bough Beech off groups inside the grounds. offers an interesting teaching environment, stunning lakes, a mixed habitat of ponds, offers one of our most enchanting with dune grassland, willow scrub and seasonally flooded pools, reedbed and and tranquil locations. Adjacent to the seasonal ponds. A replica ‘Lookers’ Hut’ adds woodland. A spectacular site for birds, Bough Beech Reservoir, the site boasts a useful historical dimension to a site visit. the wetland and woodland habitats also a range of interesting habitats, including a pond and an ancient orchard. support a diverse community of plants, The site has an award-winning Visitor Centre, fungi and animals. There is an open-sided cart shed for with many eco-friendly features, toilet facilities and parking for visiting coaches. Of particular interest for visiting groups is undercover teaching and lunches, the tranquil Elemental Garden where much along with teaching space within the of the teaching for younger groups takes Oast itself (although access for those place. A cottage offers undercover teaching with mobility difficulties is restricted). space and there are additional teaching Bough Beech has first-class toilet How to book and pricing areas within the site. The Centre houses facilities and a picnic area. Access for Risk To discuss your visit or make a booking, please contact: a range of engaging wildlife displays and large vehicles is restricted and so it is Education Team Assessments touch tables. The site has toilet facilities and recommended that coaches drop off Email: [email protected] a small tea bar. Coaches can drop off groups at the site entrance or, alternatively, The team at are fully aware of the pressures at the Visitor Centre entrance and on-site minibuses are the preferred method Phone: 01622 662012 faced by teachers when planning parking is available. of transport. Half day Full day an outdoor learning experience. Sept-March (Off peak) £3.25 £4.25 To help eliminate the stress, risk assessments for all our activities Minimum charge ‘per class’ £65.00 £85.00 are available on our website and a (Off peak) helpful checklist is provided with your booking form. April-Aug (Peak) £4.25 £5.75 If you have any queries, please do Minimum charge ‘per class’ £85.00 £115.00 not hesitate to contact us. We’re here to ensure your pupils enjoy their visit and stay safe. 4 LEARNING PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES LEARNING PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES 5

Increasing contact with nature improves the way children learn, both formally and informally. ‘Explore-a- Dipping Magical Story’ Days Detectives Minibeasts A chance to discover and identify what lies Often booked in conjunction with ‘Dipping This enchanting programme offers the beneath the water’s surface Detectives’, this half-day habitat investigation perfect introduction to environmental study offers guaranteed fun for Key Stage 1 and 2 for pupils at Key Stage 1 and 2. With a range Based around one of the most fascinating pupils of all abilities. of titles to choose from, the day offers a lively habitats, this half-day programme of pond mix of activities designed to bring the stories exploration is an ever-popular session for pupils After an introduction to their equipment, to life. at Key Stage 1 and 2. The programme begins the young nature explorers set off into the with an overview of ponds and their formation, ‘wild’ to seek out and capture unsuspecting Available titles include: The Little Red Hen, followed by a practical dipping activity*. invertebrates. By closely studying and Town Mouse and Country Mouse, The Very identifying their finds, pupils will discover how Hungry Caterpillar, The Bad Tempered Using hand lenses and pictorial keys, pupils will the different creatures have adapted to their Ladybird, The Tadpole’s Promise, work together to identify their finds and learn habitats and where they fit in the food chain. Crunching Munching Caterpillar. more about the different ways they live, breath and move. By closely studying their finds, pupils Pupils at Key Stage 2 will be encouraged to Following the introductory story time session, will consider their place in the food chain and compare and contrast a range of different pupils will enjoy a series of themed activities: Perfect Plants the ways in which they have adapted to their habitats, undertaking a more detailed Let children explore the wonderful world The Tale Trail – A fun nature trail, exploring underwater environment. At our Tyland Barn investigation into the plants and animals of Fabulous Flowers or Tremendous Trees links between the story and the Centre’s Centre, the group can use our special video found within them. created for Key Stage 1 and 2. They will learn wildlife areas. microscope to study a selection of the creatures all they need to know about green plants, the Age Range: Key Stage 1 and 2 Mini-beast Hunt – A chance to track down in close detail, considering their place in the building blocks of habitats through exciting Locations: Tyland Barn, Sevenoaks, and catch insects ‘in the wild’ and complete food chain and the ways in which they have activities, games and crafts. Bough Beech a Spotter’s Guide. adapted to their underwater environment. Fabulous Flowers – Explore the wildflower Duration: Half day / Full day if Make and Do – Depending on the chosen This session is very popular, so early booking meadows investigating flower structures and combined with Dipping Detectives story, pupils will have the chance to take is advised. their purpose, the role of insects in pollination part in a range of fun art and craft activities, and the plant life cycle from seed to seed Age Range: Key Stage 1 and 2 using natural materials where possible. Tremendous Trees – Learn to identify trees Locations: Tyland Barn, Sevenoaks, Fun and Games – Carefully designed to using leaf shapes, nuts, seeds and flowers Bough Beech complement the selected story, our games through fun games. Carrying out tree shakes Duration: Half day / Full day if combined sessions help pupils to let off steam as allows students to appreciate the host of with ‘Magical Minibeasts’ they learn. organisms the trees support and their position * Due to the size of the equipment, an alternative With topical songs to sing along the way, in the food chain. Will they manage to build tabletop dipping activity is available for very Learning young groups. outdoors our story days are guaranteed to inspire their own tremendous tree at the end of the together with and excite budding nature explorers. day with the information they have gathered? Kent Wildlife Trust is fun. Age Range: Pre-school, Key Stage 1 and 2 Age Range: Pre-school, Key Stage 1 and 2 Locations: Tyland Barn, Sevenoaks, Locations: Tyland Barn, Sevenoaks, Bough Beech. Bough Beech Duration: Full day Duration: Full day 6 LEARNING PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES LEARNING PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES 7

Connecting children with nature Rock Stars! Forest Schools and one Age ranges: All This highly practical session encourages another. Exciting learning opportunities in a wild, Duration: Full/Half day pupils to handle and sort rock samples, outdoor setting. Students develop skills, increase Cost of Forest School sessions on discovering where they fit in the rock knowledge, understanding and respect for their cycle and how soil is made. A fun trail environment and re-engage with nature. Forest Kent Wildlife Trust reserves: around the Centre’s wildlife areas will be School enhances personal, social and emotional Full day £350 - subsidised rate for school undertaken to observe how rocks become River Study skills, whilst also supporting the National groups - £200 broken down into soil. Curriculum. Half day Our Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve is the £220 - subsidised rate for school Having grasped the concepts of erosion and Forest School fits all learning styles and encourages groups - £120 perfect setting for this interactive day weathering, pupils will then be well placed and engages students of all ages and abilities. of physical and biological investigations. Maximum 18 students per session to investigate soil and to understand why Activities support a wide range of development The programme begins with a consideration compost is important for growing plants. areas, including: Outreach rates are higher of how the river has developed and how Making soil from sand or chalk is always man has altered its pathway. • Confidence • Health • Literacy Contact: Kathryn Barton, Community a popular element of the programme, as • Communication • Resilience • Numeracy Engagement Officer, Forest School is comparing soil samples. Using measuring tools and flow meters, • Problem solving • Handling risks • Science pupils will investigate the profile of the Email: [email protected] By the end of this lively, hands-on • Teamwork • Initiative • Geography river bed and the flow of water at different programme, participants will have learned Phone: 07717 367944 points. They will also undertake a survey We also offer options for outdoor education, to recognise and group rocks according to and investigate the results, considering based on Forest School principals, including their characteristics; to understand that the adaptations that help the organisms Teacher Workshops. Nature is rocks are made of minerals which are in trouble to thrive in the moving water. broken down by the weathering process All programmes can be adapted to fit your and it needs and that soil is made from minerals and By the end of the programme, participants group’s abilities or needs. Contact us to discuss your help. dead, decaying animals and plants. will be able to identify some of the different your requirements. river habitats and the organisms that live With a strong emphasis on practical within them; appreciate the interdependence Forest School on Kent Wildlife learning, this programme is the perfect of people and rivers; and understand river Trust Reserves way to explore the amazing world survey techniques and their application. (Recommended min. 6 weekly sessions) beneath our feet. For secondary students, the river habitat Explore and develop skills over a number Age Ranges: Key Stage 2 provides an ideal opportunity to explore the of weekly sessions at a woodland reserve. Location: Tyland Barn, Sevenoaks interdependence of organisms, including food Forest School Outreach Programme Duration: Half day / Full day if combined webs, as well as considering how organisms in School Grounds with ‘River Study’ at Sevenoaks affect, and are affected by their environment. (Recommended min. 6 weekly sessions) Age Range: Key Stages 2,3 and 4 Through a number of sessions, students develop Location: Sevenoaks skills in a familiar setting, with activities focused on their local environment. Duration: Full day Forest School – Experience Days (One-off sessions) A perfect ‘taster day’ for pupils or teaching staff to discover Forest School, held at our woodland reserves across Kent. Bringing The Outside In For those unable to benefit from a visit to one of our education centres, Kent Wildlife Trust has developed a range of outreach two hour opportunities that will bring the wild to you. We are happy to develop workshops on request, simply contact us to discuss your requirements. Cost: £150 per class

Wild about Gardens Award Scheme The Scheme is free to enter for any wildlife friendly garden in Kent however small or large. What’s more, your garden doesn’t need to be finished! Our friendly team of volunteers are happy to visit a work in progress and will offer advice and encouragement. They particularly like visiting schools where the children or students have been involved in the development of the garden. The closing date for schools is 31 May to allow sufficient time for a visit before the end of term. Entry forms can be downloaded from our website from January onwards, or paper copies Greater-spotted Woodpecker © Mike Snelle © Mike Woodpecker Greater-spotted are available from any of our Visitor Centres. If you would like more information please visit our website or call 01622 662012

Head Office: Kent Wildlife Trust, Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3BD Tel: 01622 662012

[email protected] | kentwildlifetrust.org.uk Registered Charity No. 239992. A company limited in England and Wales by guarantee 633098. Registered at the above address.

Protecting Wildlife for the Future