Key Stage 3

Albion Outdoors offers a range of bespoke KS3, KS4 and A level biology field trips but can offer courses to all phases of education, all supported with practical fieldwork in a wide variety of habitats. It offers students a bespoke course targeting any area of ecological content, be it climate change, biodiversity, taxonomy, environmental impacts and also the prescribed practical and statistics specification linked to exam boards. Both generic and site-specific risk assessments rea provided and all course/activity leaders are qualified in Outdoor First Aid.

Albion Outdoors wildlife immersive acoustic sessions: “Imagine… walking into a woodland and as you take the path you go back in time and hear missing species reappear; the call of the cuckoo, the shimmer of aspen, the splash of a beaver.” Albion Outdoors is working with universities to develop an acoustic immersive experience to bring to life the missing species. Pupils spend a day testing the audio technology and investigating the effectiveness of the ideas and the equipment. Suitable for Year 9 plus. You can download full details here.
Website: www.albionoutdoors.co.uk

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 KS3 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 work scientifically to learn about size of the galaxy, understand that a light year is a unit of distance and where-our Sun as a star, and other stars, fit in our galaxy as part of the KS3 Space Physics Science curriculum. For full details and booking enquiries call 01434 250232 or e mail  enquiries@calvert-kielder.com

Kielder Observatory Planetarium Shows

Depending on the duration and requests from schools (typical length is between 20 - 45 minutes) an individual session could cover any (or all) of the following content: light pollution; tour of the night sky (which could include what’s visible at the given time of year, key constellations in the night sky, and navigating the sky, such as finding the North Star); fly through the solar system to learn about the different planets; exploring the physics of deep sky objects (this could include distances in light years, our cosmic address, exoplanets, the lifecycle of a star, the closest galaxy to us); watch the National Space Centre video about the International Space Station – narrated by ESA astronaut Tim Peake; and watch the Hubble Space Telescope zoom in on the Andromeda Galaxy.
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

NEST: Growing timber trees – looking after the forest. A half-day activity looking at forest management, from planting to felling, managing for wildlife and for recreation. It can also include a minibus visit to see forestry operations being carried out by the Forestry Commission, which has responsibility for managing Kielder Forest. 

Website:- www.nest.btck.co.uk Email:- nesstrainer2018@gmail.com

Contact: Bruce Ferguson 01388 529154

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 where 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 offers project-based education aimed at primary through to university education. Sessions for schools are currently available linked to ‘Restoring Ratty’, a conservation project exploring the re-introduction of water vole, once a common sight on our local waterways but numbers have declined dramatically in recent years. ‘Restoring Ratty’ aims to restore water vole populations into the Kielder catchment of the north Tyne, with a view to their eventual spread throughout the catchment and surrounding areas. Find out more about how schools can get involved by visiting https://www.nwt.org.uk/what-we-do/projects/restoring-ratty

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/

Northumbrian Water can arrange site visits (including a ferry trip where available) for pupils in Year 5 and upwards. Six weeks advance notice is required. Please contact 0191 301 6976 or visit the NWL website.