Woodside School Visits

A school visit to Woodside Wildlife and Falconry Park is always a magical and memorable learning experience for children of all ages from Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 4. We ensure the specific needs of individual groups are met.

Our programs are mainly science-based, focusing on habitat, adaptations and conservation, with lots of opportunities for cross-curricular links. Special needs children and adults can be catered for by prior arrangement.

Visiting Woodside Wildlife and Falconry Park is always exciting and our expert guides will make sure you don’t miss a thing ....

Everyone loves to cuddle and stroke the cute baby owls. They help us to explain to the lucky children who visit us, all about about lifecycles... What a fun way to learn!

Internal School Visits

Minimum 15 pupils. Visits to the Woodside Wildlife and Falconry Park last approximately four hours and include:

• A guided tour of the Park including the tropical house allowing you to see everything from the bats to monkeys, eagles to butterflies.
• A personal ranger to guide you around so as not to miss anything.
• A guided woodland walk learning about life cycles, habitats and conservation.
• A private demonstration of the birds flying.
• Pig racing and reptile handling. (always a favourite with the kids)
• Your children can dress in some of our period costume and bring the falconry display to life.

Tropical Paradise

Our wondrous Tropical Paradise provides a fascinating learning experience for all ages. Marvel at the intriguing life cycle of a butterfly, the exotic world of snapping turtles and the creepy crawly world of huge spiders and long wriggly snakes!

Watch as pretty butterflies float freely from plant to plant and spot our colourful and exotic birds as they fly from tree to tree. Our tropical paradise has it all...

Built in 2004, our state of the art 650 square metre Tropical Paradise is a memorable addition to any school trip.

WOODSIDE CURRICULUM LINKED ACTIVITIES

Bird of Prey Demonstration

This forms the core of all visits and never fails to excites pupils of every age. Our experienced handlers demonstrate how different birds behave, as they swoop and soar in their natural environment. They explain about habitat, diet and adaptations. Children are always thrilled and enriched by such close contact with these majestic birds.

Key Stage: KS1 - Sc2 2e, 4b, 5a,b and c. KS2 - Sc2 4b, 5a,b,c,d and e. KS3 - Sc2 4b, 5a,b,c,d and KS4 - Sc2 4a and b.

Main Themes: Habitats, Adaptations and the Influence of Man.

Tree-Mendous

Pupils learn about the different parts and functions of a tree. Through fun and engaging activities they will discover how a tree works and what lives on and in them! There will be an opportunity to learn about methods of tree identification and practical exercises using estimation and measurement.

Key Stage: KS1 - Sc2 4b. KS2 - Sc2 1b and c, 4a,b and c, 5a,b,c and d.

Main Themes: Habitats and Classification.

Cross-Curricular: Numeracy.

Sensory Walk

A walk on our Woodland Nature and Conservation Trail will stimulate your pupils to use their senses. Children take part in a selection of practical sensory activities, such as colour palettes, meet a tree, mirror walk and smelly cocktails, all of which heighten their awareness of the area. Sensory Walks are in small groups of 10 children or less, per leader.

Key Stage: KS1 - Sc2 4b. KS2 - Sc2 1c, 4c, 5a,b,c and e.

Main Themes: Observation and Habitats.

Cross-Curricular: Numeracy.

Mini Beast Safari

Pupils will discover and collect their own minibeasts through exploration of one habitat (logs), or comparison of different ones (such as grassland or trees). Children learn to use identification keys and how to handle living creatures sensitively. They will use sweep nets, collection jars and magnifiers for close-up viewing. There is also the opportunity to go pond dipping!

Key Stage: KS1 - Sc2 1c, 2a,d and e,4b. KS2 - Sc2 1b and c, 4a,b and c, 5a,b,c and d. KS3 - Sc2 4b, 5a,b,d and e.

Main Themes: Habitats, Classification, Adaptions and Food Chains.

Pig Racing vs Rapid Raptors (highly recommended)

Challenge your fastest teacher or pupil in this race against the clock with a twist. This session combines measuring speed with adaptations to answer the question:

• Which is faster – Falcon, Ferret, Pig or Hawk?

Pupils make a prediction and test the outcome by encouraging each bird to fly across an open field. Pig or Ferret racing is used to highlight predator prey adaptations. This is a lively, fun and exciting session with good cross curricular links.

Key Stage: KS3 - Sc2 5d, Sc4 2a. KS4 - Sc2 4a, Sc4 2a.

Main Themes: Adaptions and Speed Equations.

PRICES FOR 2012

• £3.75 plus VAT per child
• One adult FREE for every eight children. Extra adults charged as per current child rate.

Download our Risk Assessment document here: Download (56KB)

Contact us on 01522 754280 for further information and a booking form.