Key Stage 1
Calvert Kielder takes mainstream schools during January to March and also from October to December. Schools bringing children with disabilities can visit throughout the year. Activities include: sailing, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, (indoor and out) zip wire, abseiling, king swing, orienteering, nightwalks to name but a few, and encourage confidence, team building, self worth and independence.
Calvert Kielder and Kielder Observatory – Space & Adventure is a new innovative and exciting programme for KS1 pupils, combining challenging and adventurous outdoor activities with an enlightening dark skies experience in the stunning Kielder Water & Forest Park. 1 to 5-night packages are offered with fully accessible and catered on-site accommodation at Calvert Kielder, to include: instructor-led land and water-based activities; a tour of the Kielder Observatory; and opportunities for pupils to observe, question and record data with Kielder Observatory staff to meet part of KS1 Working Scientifically requirements. For full details and booking enquiries call 01434 250232 or e mail enquiries@calvert-kielder.com
Forestry Commission offers ‘working forest visits' often in partnership with Wild North Discovery, when groups are taken out into the forest to view harvesting machines in action and taught about forest management. The Forestry Commission also has a range of free learning resources at https://www.forestryengland.uk/learning-resources?fbclid=IwAR3RUTQJX_Smg6QYVRRfGVHjv_OdoeAfunDE1HKkcSIitR9fRWUIu3qOYsQ
Website: www.forestry.gov.uk
Kielder Observatory Planetarium Shows 20 minutes in the Planetarium with day/night cycle explained; introduction to the night sky showing different constellations; fly through the solar system visiting different planets; and watch the National Space Centre video about the International Space Station, narrated by ESA astronaut Tim Peake.
Website: https://kielderobservatory.org/
The Kielder Salmon Centre can accommodate visits from schools and other interested groups or organisations by prior arrangement, including a tour of the operational hatchery. To arrange a visit contact Richard Bond.
richard.bond@environment-agency.gov.uk
Northumberland National Park: Sill Story Time – The Wild Woods
Working with a member of the learning team, children listen to a story, brought to life with objects and costume, before taking part in a nature walk and creating a piece of art to take away, inspired by the habits and landscapes they have learned about.
Northumberland National Park - Nocturnal Wildlife: Pupils find out about which animals come out at night, followed by a hands-on introduction to various nocturnal and diurnal animals and insects from around the world by Paws Animal Shows.
Northumberland National Park - Art in the Park (art, science, geography): A two-part activity at The Sill/in school when pupils find out about artists who have been inspired the natural world, including Andy Goldsworthy and Mary Ann Rogers and create their own artwork using Gyotaku, a traditional Japanese printing method.
Northumberland National Park – Nature Detectives (science, geography): A two-part session at The Sill/in school and out on site where pupils learn about different habitats in NNP and how they are protected. During an outdoor session at Walltown, pupils safely explore a variety of habitats whilst hunting for mini-beasts.
For all of the activities listed above – and more – visit the NNPA website: https://www.thesill.org.uk/learning/ or e mail learning@nnpa.org.uk
Northumberland Wildlife Trust has developed an Environmental Education Activities Pack full of activities suitable for ages 4-14. Each section of the pack includes all the information and resources you would need to run a successful environmental activity. The pack has been designed with five of our sites in mind (St Nicholas Park, Fencerhill Woods, Weetslade Country Park, Big Waters and Prestwick Carr) but can be adapted and used at any site of your choice! The packs are £10 to buy (in CD form) and can be purchased from our HQ in Gosforth. https://www.nwt.org.uk/
Tyne Rivers Trust offers three activity options:
Salmon in the classroom uses the lifecycle of the North Atlantic Salmon to connect school children to their local river, learning about fish migration, lifecycles, food chains and healthy river environments.
Mayfly in the classroom explores the lifecycle of these amazing invertebrates and where they fit into the food chain. Pupils will take part in ‘kick sampling’ (holding a net underwater in the river) to collect Mayfly nymphs and take them back to the classroom. Here they will set up an aquaria to monitor their development and watch them emerge into adult Mayfly before they are released. Suitable for children with special educational needs.
Science on the Tyne is a flexible lesson plan giving us the opportunity to work with teachers to deliver a bespoke lesson based on the River Tyne that fits in with their class. Suitable for children with special educational needs.
Website: https://www.tyneriverstrust.org
