Once part of the Longleat estate, the hill was entrusted to us by the 6th Marquess of Bath. Ascend the hill to enjoy extensive views of West Wiltshire and Somerset, or to experience uninterrupted views of the sky from this locally famous UFO hotspot.
Early Years (2-4)
Early Years (2-4)
In recent years there has been a cultural shift in our society that has reduced the access and use of outdoors for many young children.
A number of factors are blamed, including increased fear amongst adults in relation to children’s safety, anxieties about the threat of abduction, and technological advances leading to an overwhelming prominence of more sedentary indoor activities, such as television and computer games. However, the developmental needs of young children have remained constant and the outdoor environment continues to be essential to their health, development and well-being. Therefore, regular opportunities for sustained periods of play in a rich and stimulating outdoor environment offer a wide range of benefits to babies, toddlers and young children.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum, which covers children aged birth to the end of the Reception year, became statutory in September 2008 and places strong emphasis on the importance and value of daily outdoor experiences for children’s learning and development.
Learning outside the classroom supports the development of healthy and active lifestyles by offering children opportunities for physical activity, freedom and movement, and promoting a sense of well-being. It gives them contact with the natural world and offers them experiences that are unique to outdoors, such as direct contact with the weather and the seasons. Outdoor play also supports children’s problem-solving skills and nurtures their creativity, as well as providing rich opportunities for their developing imagination, inventiveness and resourcefulness.
And, of course, the outdoor environment offers more space than indoors and therefore is particularly important to those children who learn best through active movement. For many children, playing outdoors at their early years setting may be the only opportunity they have to play safely and freely while they learn to assess risk and develop the skills to manage new situations.
While many of these experiences will take place on-site, outdoor learning may also take place within the local community, for example a walk to the bakery, or past the building site on the way to the park. These off-site ‘expeditions’ offer both children and adults a catalyst for play and conversations. Ultimately, play and learning that flow seamlessly between indoors and outdoors make the most efficient use of resources and build on interests and enthusiasms. Forest Schools are growing in popularity across the UK and are increasingly offered as part of the early years curriculum in schools and settings.
Finally, parental involvement in children’s learning is particularly important in the early years as parents and carers are the child’s first educators. Early years settings, including children’s centres, are increasingly involving parents in developing and using their outdoor areas and in supporting other outdoor learning opportunities.
Suitable Venues
Fordhall Farm is an inspiring example of how farming can become a force for sustainable education and change as well as a producer of fine, local organic food. Located on the outskirts of Market Drayton in North Shropshire, Fordhall Farm is now owned by an Industrial and Provident Society made up of 7500 shareholders from across the UK and further afield.
SEA LIFE Aquarium is designed to be a child’s first interactive guide to the life of the sea, combining active, hands-on learning with fascinating educational talks, and opportunities to have up close and personal encounters with a variety of sea creatures.
One of the best visitor attractions on the Isle of Wight to bring your school or group to.
With thousands creatures on display, a visit to SEA LIFE Kansas City will engage your student’s senses. In addition to the spectacular view from the underwater tunnel, children can get involved at the interactive rockpool by holding a crab or even touching a starfish.
With so much to see and experience you will take learning beyond the classroom and into a new underwater world.
SEA LIFE Bray offers an interactive, hands-on visit for schools, groups and birthday parties. With an array of amazing creatures and our helpful and knowledgeable staff on hand to answer questions and offer amazing facts about the creatures that you'll see, this is an inspiring visit for all.
SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium offers an interactive, hands-on visit for schools, groups and birthday parties. With an array of amazing creatures along with our helpful and knowledgeable staff to answer your questions and provide unique facts about the creatures that you'll see, this is an inspiring visit for all.
Shanghai Changfeng Ocean World is part of Europe's first and the world's second British Merlin Entertainment Group (Merlin Entertainment Group). It is located in the scenic Changfeng Park, the main building located at 13 meters silver hoe lake. Is a large marine animal shows and aquarium fish exhibition of integrated marine theme park. National youth science education base, Shanghai thematic sc
One of the fastest moving sand and shingle spits in the United Kingdom
Visit one of the last surviving pieces of natural coastline in West Sussex. East Head is an example of the nationally rare and fragile, yet dynamic, sand-dune habitat.
Walk, play and sunbathe on the beach, which is considered one of the best in Sussex. Or just admire the yachts that anchor off the northern end, where you may spot the occasional seal.
Bring your class to the newest attraction in Jesolo!
With over 5,000 creatures on display, a visit to SEA LIFE Jesolo will engage your pupils’ senses. In addition to the spectacular view from the underwater tunnel, children can get involved at the interactive rockpool by holding a crab or even touching a starfish.
There is so much to see and do at Mary Arden's Farm! Step back in time for all the sights, smells and sounds of a real Tudor farm and explore the house where Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden, grew up.
Experience for yourself the daily routine, skills and crafts that the young William would have known from visits to his grandparents in the 1570s.
SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium is a state-of-the-art unique edutainment based aquarium, embarking on a new journey of dedicating resources and efforts to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of the iconic finless porpoise.
Combining active, hands-on learning with fascinating educational talks and an opportunity to have an up close and personal view into our amazing aquatic world, a visit to SEA LIFE centre Paris is an educational experience.
What is your favourite sea creature?
The awesome Sharks, the scary Piranhas or perhaps is it the cute Seahorses that you love the most? Are you a Bonnethead Shark lover? Perhaps it’s the Clownfish or the clever Octopus that you love the most. Maybe you simply can’t decide!
Things to Do
- Feeding demonstrations all day
- Rockpool Experience – Hold a crab & touch starfish!
- 36 spectacular displays (incl. Sharks, Giant Turtles & Rays)
- Over 2,000 creatures
- Watch Sharks feeding (Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday)
- Walk through our amazing underwater tunnel
- Children's soft play area
The Lake District Coast Aquarium is a great all weather attraction for all age groups, with stunning live displays and other attractions for all the family. It has just the right balance of fun with learning!
The Lake District Coast Aquarium is situated on the harbour side at Maryport in Cumbria
The SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium Underwater Zoo Education program is delivered by trained and passionate marine educators who deliver face-to-face teaching sessions focusing on a range of specialised topics.
Our visitor centre in the heart of Shrewsbury is a haven for wildlife in a uniquely accessible location. The walled wildlife garden is particularly suitable for groups of younger children and for older groups the centre makes a perfect base to explore the Reabrook Valley Local Nature Reserve. Toilets, disabled access, shop, refreshments, classroom, coach parking.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is one of Sydney's most popular school excursion venues. See the world's largest collection of Australian aquatic animals on display. There's over 13,000 animals to see representing some 700 different species!
Take advantage of the AquaDom & SEA LIFE Berlin as an attractive, non-school setting for school class visits. Motivate your students with a trip to where they experience native and tropical habitats of the oceans up close and learn with all senses.
The Aussie Wildlife Adventure!
Centrally located on the resort side of the island, WILD LIFE Hamilton Island (formerly Hamilton Island Wildlife Park), provides the perfect place for you to get up close and personal with some unique Australian wildlife.
Take advantage of the SEA LIFE München as an attractive, non-school setting for school class visits. Motivate your students with a trip to where they experience native and tropical habitats of the oceans up close and learn with all senses.
Take advantage of the SEA LIFE Konstanz as an attractive, non-school setting for school class visits. Motivate your students with a trip to where they experience native and tropical habitats of the oceans up close and learn with all senses.
A school trip to SEA LIFE offers children the opportunity to discover the submarine world through experience. They can feel how strong a mussel is, hold a shark’s egg or see up close how a shrimp swims. By watching and exploring they discover a world of new facts.
Discover the fascinating and beautiful marine world in SEA LIFE Scheveningen. The world of shrimps, starfish and crabs, stingrays and sharks. Discover the beautiful fish from one of the worlds largest rivers in Amazonia, where you will meet the dangerous piranhas.
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The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
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