Schools and pre-schools
Join a sensory walk, a team-building challenge or learn more about life in a pond. The Parks Trust education team provides a wide range of fun activities, games and guided walks to inspire you and your class. Whether you are looking for a curriculum-based activity, a session to help you achieve healthy school status, or simply want a fun environmentally-linked session outdoors, we are sure you will enjoy your experience.
Our sessions are usually held on your local Parks Trust land, within walking distance from your school, which eliminates the hassle and cost of transport, while introducing children to what is in their local area. The parks in the Trust’s care include ancient woodlands, SSSI sites, balancing lakes and linear river parks.
Where appropriate to the session, you’ll receive some suggestions for pre and post-visit activities which will help your class get the most from their time with us.
Our sessions are usually held on your local Parks Trust land, within walking distance from your school, which eliminates the hassle and cost of transport, while introducing children to what is in their local area. The parks in the Trust’s care include ancient woodlands, SSSI sites, balancing lakes and linear river parks.
Where appropriate to the session, you’ll receive some suggestions for pre and post-visit activities which will help your class get the most from their time with us.
- Schools: charges for a half-day session are £2.50 per child.
- Pre-schools: Learning for Little People sessions last one hour and cost £2 per child.
- Regular visits: Your school can become a Discovery Member and have up to six class visits throughout the year for £180.
We are happy to help you with preparation for your visit and look forward to welcoming you into the parks. To discuss bringing your group to the parks, or to make a booking, please contact us on 01908 233600 or email education@theparkstrust.com.
Discover More
The following is a selection of the sessions we offer. However we are always adding new sessions so please look out for our update emails or ring us for a chat to find out what else we can offer.
New Sessions for 2011!
A seasonal walk with Percy the Park Keeper
Years 1 & 2
Come with Percy as he visits his friends and favourite places in the park. Learn about where the animals live, what they do and how the park changes through the year.
(This session is based on the books by Nick Butterworth)
Science Unit 2F, 2G, 4B, 5A, 5B & 5C
Habitats
Years 3-6
This session will help children understand what a habitat is and how important they are in the natural environment. They will experience
different habitats on the one site and think about the animals and plants which live there.
different habitats on the one site and think about the animals and plants which live there.
The children will learn about food chains, plant adaptations and understand that all living things are linked together and nothing exists in isolation.
Science Unit 2, Literacy
Literacy sessions
Telling TalesYears 1-6
Join the rangers for a story inspired by our surroundings and then follow the storytelling pattern to create stories of your own in groups or individually. This will enable children to create a story without writing it down and can be expanded once the group is back in the classroom.
Join the rangers for a story inspired by our surroundings and then follow the storytelling pattern to create stories of your own in groups or individually. This will enable children to create a story without writing it down and can be expanded once the group is back in the classroom.
Literacy
Kensuke DayYear 6
This is a whole-day session and helps to bring aspects of the book Kensuke’s Kingdom to life. The morning session will be outside where we imagine we are Michael and learn about surviving in the outdoor environment as he had to – where will we get our water supply? What can we eat? The afternoon will be back in the classroom with the ranger, developing the ideas from the morning session.
This is a whole-day session and helps to bring aspects of the book Kensuke’s Kingdom to life. The morning session will be outside where we imagine we are Michael and learn about surviving in the outdoor environment as he had to – where will we get our water supply? What can we eat? The afternoon will be back in the classroom with the ranger, developing the ideas from the morning session.
Science Units 2 & 3, Art and Design, Literacy, Design and Technology
Science, Geography, Art and Design
Senses and the World Around UsYear 1
Children join Russell the hedgehog to investigate the natural world around them by using their senses in a series of fun activities, for example sound maps and smell cocktails.
Children join Russell the hedgehog to investigate the natural world around them by using their senses in a series of fun activities, for example sound maps and smell cocktails.
Science Unit 1A, Geography Unit 1, Literacy
Art in NatureYears 1-6
Join our ranger to look at how nature influences art and have a go at making your own art in the park.
Join our ranger to look at how nature influences art and have a go at making your own art in the park.
Art & Design Unit 1C, 2A & 2B, Literacy
PlantsYears 1-6
Children’s observation skills will be developed as they identify plants. They will learn how plants grow and how we can use them. Older children will also look at reproduction, adaptation, seed dispersal and the use of keys.
Children’s observation skills will be developed as they identify plants. They will learn how plants grow and how we can use them. Older children will also look at reproduction, adaptation, seed dispersal and the use of keys.
Science Unit 1A, 2B, 2C, 3B, 5B & 6A, PE Unit 19,20 & 30, Literacy & Numeracy
BugsYears 2-6
Children will find and identify mini-beasts using keys, nets and beating trays. Through games they will look at similarities and differences between mini-beasts and how they are adapted to their habitats.
Children will find and identify mini-beasts using keys, nets and beating trays. Through games they will look at similarities and differences between mini-beasts and how they are adapted to their habitats.
Science Unit 2B, 2C, 4B & 6A, Literacy & Numeracy
PondsYears 1-6
Investigate the under water-world. Children investigate a different habitat through pond dipping. Using their observation skills they will identify pond life and record findings. They will also learn about adaptations and how plants and animals in this habitat are interdependent.
Investigate the under water-world. Children investigate a different habitat through pond dipping. Using their observation skills they will identify pond life and record findings. They will also learn about adaptations and how plants and animals in this habitat are interdependent.
Science Unit 2B, 2C, 4B & 6A, Literacy & Numeracy
RiversTake a look at a natural process in action. This session will provide children with the opportunity to do field sketches and carryout a scientific investigation. Children will also find out about the importance of rivers and also their dangers.
Geography Unit 14, Science Unit 5_6H, Literacy & Numeracy
Team challenges, Mapping and TrailsYears 1-6
Take part in a series of fun challenges, mapping, trails and games with an environmental focus. These activities are designed to develop problem solving, team work, communication skills and boost confidence.
Take part in a series of fun challenges, mapping, trails and games with an environmental focus. These activities are designed to develop problem solving, team work, communication skills and boost confidence.
PE Unit 19, 20 & 30, Geography & Science: various units
Learning for Little People *
We offer children the opportunity to investigate the outdoors through a wide range of fun activities. Our Early Years activities feature some fabulous cuddly creatures who would love to meet the younger children of Milton Keynes! Why not join Teddy in discovering the wildlife in the parks or help develop life skills through play and hands-on learning experiences in our Learning for Little People sessions.
We have created sessions tailored specifically towards the Foundation and Year One groups. For example, for our Bugs session we have created a series of activities based around "The Very Hungry Caterpillar” book which has proved very popular with our younger visitors. You could also go on a hunt for woodland creatures in our session inspired by "The Gruffalo" books.
If you would like to speak to the Education Team about our Education Programme please ring 01908 255368 or email education@theparkstrust.com.
