Learning Outside the Classroom in the Chilterns an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty BARTON-LE-CLAY Hexton Contact details: M1 Lilley HITCHIN Learning Information contained within this booklet was DUNSTABLE LUTON compiled by the Chilterns Conservation Board. CONSERVATION BOARD Q Q London Luton Outside London Gliding Club For further information please contact: Whipsnade Cathy Rose Ver the Activities and Learning Officer Grand Union Canal Markyate HARPENDEN Aldbury Chilterns Conservation Board TRING RAF Halton Gade The Lodge Q Gaddesden Classroom AYLESBURY 90 Station Road HEMEL HEMPSTEAD Chinnor WENDOVER BERKHAMSTED M1 in the Chilterns Oxon OX39 4HA Bulbourne PRINCES M25 01844 355 506 RISBOROUGH CHESHAM email: [email protected] CHINNOR Gt. Missenden M40 PRESTWOOD Hughenden Chess Colne website: www.chilternsaonb.org STOKENCHURCH Stream AMERSHAM WATLINGTON Misbourne River Thames HIGH CHORLEYWOOD BENSON WYCOMBE BEACONSFIELD Q Q RAF Benson Hambleden Q Denham WALLINGFORD Brook Wycombe Air Park Wye MARLOW M40 River Thames HENLEY-ON-THAMES M25 GORING M4 London Heathrow Q If you require photographs of the Chilterns READING for education projects, please visit the M4 0 5 10 Kilometeres [ website of The Chiltern Society Photo Group 0 6 Miles at www.chilternphoto.org.uk Photographs are added regularly and may be copied and used free of charge by educational establishments. Front cover: Orienteering on the Ridgeway Contents Page Introduction 4 The Importance of Learning Outside the Classroom 5 The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 6 Wildlife of the Chilterns AONB 7 Landscape of the Chilterns AONB 8 History and Cultural Heritage of the Chilterns AONB 10 Planning a Visit 12 Location Map of Outdoor Education Providers 14 Summary Table of Providers 15 Details of Outdoor Education Providers 16 School Visits to Farms 29 Forest School in the Chilterns 31 Right: Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve Introduction This directory outlines the opportunities for learning outside the classroom that exist in, and close to, the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It is produced by the Chilterns Conservation Board, the body Emma Chappell established by Parliamentary Order in 2004 to manage the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Board has two statutory purposes: To conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB To increase the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the AONB. From pre-school to university, the Chilterns can offer a valuable learning experience in individual subject areas such as geography, science, maths, English, history, art and PE. Beyond this, though, Mike Overall are cross-cutting benefits such as emotional and social development opportunities, which have a huge impact on the child as an individual. Top left: Bird watching Bottom left: Mini beast hunting 4 Above: Ibstone The Importance of Learning Outside the Classroom The Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto, published in 2006 by the Department for Education and Skills, states: Outdoor Learning: “Every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal Improves health and fitness development, whatever their age, ability and circumstances.” Increases self esteem Builds confidence Learning outside the classroom is about raising achievement Encourages responsibility through an organised, powerful approach to learning in which Enhances social and direct experience is of prime importance. This is not only about communication skills what we learn but importantly how and where we learn. Improves academic engagement and achievement There is strong evidence that good quality learning outside the Promotes positive attitudes to classroom adds much value to classroom learning. learning Develops coping strategies It provides a context for learning in many areas: general and Encourages positive behaviour subject based knowledge; thinking and problem solving skills; life skills such as co-operation and interpersonal communication. eene aul K P Above: Smelly cocktails at Shortenills Centre. Right: Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve 5 The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty In 1965, the Chiltern Hills were designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The area was designated for the natural Gerry Whitlow beauty of its landscape and its natural and cultural heritage. This helped to protect its special qualities, which include the steep chalk escarpment with areas of flower-rich downland, woodlands, commons, tranquil valleys, the network of ancient routes, villages Key facts: with their brick and flint houses, chalk streams and a rich historic environment of hill forts and chalk figures. 833 square km 80,000 residents within the 'Natural beauty' refers not only to the scenic qualities of the boundary landscape but to all those other elements which together produce 500,000 people live within 3 miles the special character of the AONB. These elements include wildlife Designated as an AONB in 1965 and man-made features such as its archaeological and built 55 million leisure visits per year heritage. One fifth of the AONB is wooded 2002 ha of registered common The Chilterns AONB is one of 38 AONBs in England and Wales, 2000 km of public rights of way which together cover 18% of the countryside. The River Thames forms the southern boundary Left: Hughenden Valley. 6 Above: Ariel view of Stokenchurch area Special Chilterns Wildlife Red kites were re-introduced to the Chilterns AONB in the early Wildlife of the Chilterns AONB 1990s and have established a thriving breeding population. The Chilterns AONB is a great place to study wildlife. Ranging from invertebrates to freshwater life, from grassland flora to woodland Water voles, Britain's fastest fauna, there are plenty of opportunities for students to explore declining mammal species, can be the adaptations of plants and animals to a variety of habitats. found on some of the Chilterns Their inter-relationships can be investigated through food chains chalk streams. and webs. The Chilterns are home to 3 The impacts of human intervention and climate change on the species of wild deer: roe, fallow species and habitats of the Chilterns AONB can be investigated and and muntjac. this can lead to broader discussion of people and their environments. Chalk downland supports a huge variety of wildflowers which The creative arts (art, drama and literacy) can be used as a media attract large numbers of rare to explore the Chilterns' wildlife and to generate cross-curricular butterflies. learning experiences. The beech woods are particularly The hands-on experience of field work has numerous benefits for well known for their springtime the students' interpersonal, communication and social skills and displays of bluebells and autumn their personal well-being, self-esteem and emotional fungi. development. The Chilterns has significant riest populations of farmland birds that Ann P are nationally declining, including corn bunting, linnet, skylark and yellowhammer. Above: Stream dipping 7 Landscape of the Chilterns AONB The chalk escarpment of the Chiltern Hills runs a distance of 50 The Chilterns is one of the most miles from Hitchin in the north east to Goring-on-Thames in the wooded landscapes in England with south west. At its highest point near Wendover, it reaches nearly over 20% woodland cover. Farmland 900 feet (267 metres). The steep scarp faces to the north-west, covers 60% of the Chilterns, creating while the dipslope gently shelves away to the south-east, incised a mosaic of fields with arable crops by shallow valleys, some with chalk streams flowing to the River and livestock, bordered by ancient Colne and River Thames. hedgerows and trees. The chalk of the Chilterns was laid down during the Cretaceous Chalk landscapes are generally dry, Era (65 – 100 million years ago). Much of it is hidden below several but some of the shallow valleys feet of clay with flints, but in places, particularly along the ridge, contain gently flowing chalk the chalk lies near the surface. The heavy clay soils support streams, often bordered by extensive woodland cover and mixed farming. pollarded willows and remnants of meadows and former watercress It is the work of farmers and foresters that has shaped the beds, once a thriving local industry. landscape into what we see today. It remains an ancient landscape with features from many ages. Even fields and hedgerow patterns can be traced back many centuries as can most of the lanes, woodland banks and parish boundaries. Left: Radnage Valley. 8 Above: Hughenden Stream There are over 187 individual Villages and farmsteads with brick and flint cottages, churches and commons across the Chilterns, which timber barns are scattered throughout the area. The more ancient provide a special landscape, largely settlements tend to nestle alongside streams and rivers or springs untouched by development and at the foot of the escarpment. More recent settlements have modern agriculture. Many commons sprung up on the higher ground, strung along the edge of commons are close to towns and villages and and beside droving routes. provide valued, easily accessible green spaces for local communities. The area boasts a wealth of great houses, follies, parkland and designed landscapes. Foremost is the Prime Minister's rural retreat The Chilterns has an extensive at Chequers near Wendover. network of ancient routes, roadside hedges and sunken lanes. The Ridgeway (Icknield Way) reputedly the oldest road in