Key Stage 2
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 KS2 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; opportunities for pupils to learn about the relative movements of the Sun, Moon and Earth as part of the Year 5 Science curriculum and be given the chance to use telescopes to take precise measurements to meet part of KS2 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: Session length is up to the discretion of the school, however typical length is between 20 - 45 minutes long. Depending on the duration and requests from schools individual session could cover any (or all) of the following content: day/night cycle; night 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); moon phases; fly through the solar system to learn about the 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
NEST: Nature Detectives
An exploration of the forest looking for tracks, trails and signs of the animals that live there, from minibeasts through to birds and mammals like roe deer. Pupils will discover feeding signs, footprints, homes and sometimes even fur and feathers. If suitable footprints are found, pupils will make plaster casts of them to take back to school. As well as discovering the unseen diversity of forest wildlife, pupils learn about food chains, interrelationships, adaptations, habitats and homes.
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.
NEST - Creative Learning Activities: Two hour-long sessions aimed at personal development and experiential, child-led learning within activities that focus on working with tools, found materials and ideas to generate expression in a creative way, including:
Art and craft – using the natural space and/or found materials in creative activities, including sounds, textures, colours, etc.
Home and shelter – exploring the area through these themes and using materials to create homes.
Food, warmth and safety – fire safety, fire and simple food to make and eat.
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: Nature Detectives: 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.
Northumberland National Park - Art in the Park (art, science, geography) 2 sessions): 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 – River Investigation (science, geography, history): A two-part session delivered at The Sill/in school and out on site at the River Breamish. Pupils plan their trip before spending a day on site exploring the river and surrounding areas, investigating the river’s characteristics, discovering the animals living under its surface and how it has shaped the landscape over centuries.
Northumberland National Park – Investigate Pre-history (science, geography, history): A two-part activity at The Sill/in school and out on site at Lordenshaws. Pupils investigate objects from the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age and begin to understand changes in technology and way of life over time. For the second session they visit archaeological remains from each time period, including rock art, hillfort and burial cairn and practice archaeological techniques with the Wild Dog Outdoors team, who dress in costume and use real and replica objects.
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.
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
