The staff have put together an education pack to assist teachers in their visits to the park. This pack is available for a small fee from Wynyard Woodland Park and it’s purpose is to:

• Introduce Wynyard Woodland Park and it’s facilities to local school groups in advance of their visit or for classroom activities afterwards
• Provide site-specific activities with clear instructions for the teachers should they choose to book a self-led visit
• Cover environmental topics that are cross-curricular and relevant to the National Curriculum

The information in the pack is primarily aimed at Key Stages 1 and 2 of the Life Processes and Living Things programme of study and contains information on:

• Woodland activities
• Minibeast activities
• Nature trails
• Sensory activities
• Pond dipping
• Orienteering
• Planetarium activities
• Arts and Crafts activities
• Conservation tasks

However, this is not a complete list of activities undertaken at the park, as the rangers are constantly thinking of new ideas.

Clothing

Weather permitting most of the activities are outdoor based so it is advisable to ensure that the children are appropriately dressed for the trip. In the winter months it is advisable that the children wear a pair of wellies and a waterproof coat.

First Aid

First aid kits are available for use and are taken out on site with school groups. Teachers are responsible for administering First Aid. There is also a list of rangers that are qualified first aiders. In the event of an accident it should be recorded in the accident book, which is located in the rangers office.

Weil’s disease

It is important that the children are made aware of weil’s disease if any pond work is undertaken. Fresh water habitats carry a small risk of weil’s disease.

The symptoms of this illness can be flu like, including a temperature and pains in the calf muscles. Other symptoms include Conjunctivitis and Jaundice. If a case is suspected then call a doctor and explain that the child has been exposed to the infection and that they should be given an Elisa blood test.

As a precaution the children should wash their hands after any contact with pond water and especially before handling food. Any cuts and scratches should be covered with a waterproof plaster prior to carrying out pond work.

Any incidents of Weil’s disease should be reported to the site rangers so it can be recorded in the accident book.

General

Children need to be appropriately supervised during their visit to Wynyard Woodland Park, especially around the car park and vehicular access points. There are brambles and nettles around the site that the children should be made aware of for their own safety, as it is possible to be allergic to the stings.

If the rangers are leading a visit the teachers are responsible for discipline and controlling the behaviour of the children.

We advise a ratio of one adult to six children, although the more adults the better. Due to our own staffing levels it is only possible to take one class of around 35 children at a time.

Equipment

The rangers supply all the resources for the activities. This will be handed out as and when it is needed and collected in at the end of the activity so that it can be cleaned and stored.

Public Access

Wynyard Woodland Park is open to the public and we would appreciate it if the school group would bare this in mind as far as safety and disturbance is concerned.

Procedures and Costs

School groups can book in for a countryside ranger led activity, a planetarium visit, or a self-led activity. We can also offer a joint visit, for example a planetarium visit combined with a ranger led activity. The cost of a ranger led activity is £1 per child. The cost of a visit to the Planetarium is £2.25 per child. Self-led activities and the use of the equipment are free (providing the equipment is available). There is no charge for adults accompanying the children. Please check at the time of booking that these prices have not changed, we try to keep costs to a minimum but there are occasional increases which may not have been updated here.