Educational activities

This page contains general information about educational activities including a list of those activities, the numbers of pupils or students accommodated, the risk assessments and how to book. There is also a link to a booking form.

Staff at Brocks Hill Visitor Centre offer a programme of activities for all ages. All activities are discussed in advance with the teacher or organiser to ensure that they are pitched at an appropriate level.

We can take visits from:-

• local schools,
• pre-school groups,
• community groups or
• we can act as a base for day centre groups.

General

Contact between the teachers or organisers and our staff is advisable prior to the school or gorup arriving. The visit will be pitched at an appropriate level, depending on what work the class have previously undertaken. We can also let teachers know what clothing is required for the visit depending on the activities.

Please note that outdoor activities will proceed whatever the weather (except in severe adverse conditions when you would be advised by a member of the Brocks Hill team). Therefore please ensure that the group is suitably dressed for both sun and rain. For some activities, such as Habitats or Mini-Beast Hunts, our advice is to wear trousers and sensible shoes or trainers.

Numbers

A maximum of 35 pupils can be accommodated per activity. Each activity lasts approximately an hour. Teachers accompanying the group are responsible for providing sufficient leaders appropriate to the age and size of the group. Please note, 'leader' does not include our staff.

There is a minimum of 2 adults for each group (for example 15 Year 7 pupils need 2 adults).

Pupils age	Number of leaders required
Under 5s	1 adult for every 4 pupils
School years 1 to 3	1 adult for every 6 pupils
School years 4 to 6	1 adult for every 10-15 pupils
School year 7 onwards	1 adult for every 15-20 pupils

Risk assessments

Written confirmation and a copy of our risk assessments for the booked activities will be forwarded to you on receipt of a completed booking form.

Activities available

Our activities are suited to KS1 (Key Stage) and KS2 pupils but activities can be adapted for Reception, KS3 and KS4 with prior arrangement. Teachers may visit any time to conduct their own risk assessments but access to the classroom may not be possible.

Pond dipping

What is lurking in the depths of our ponds? Pupils will use keys to try to identify what they find. A maximum of 20 pupils can be accommodated on the platforms round the pond at any given time. Therefore, groups above 20 will be split into 2 groups. One group will pond dip, whilst the second group works with pond trays away from the pond edge. The groups will then change over. This activity is available from Easter to the end of October.

Mini beast hunt

Search and identify insects and other mini beasts hiding in the undergrowth. This activity is available from Easter to the end of November. Do not book with 'habitats' as the subject matter overlaps.

Habitats

Where do animals live and why do they live there? What birds, animals, mammals and insects do we have in the park and what do they need to keep themselves alive, warm and well fed? This activity is available from Easter to the end of November. Do not book with 'mini beast hunt' as the subject matter overlaps.

Environmental art

Take a walk in the park, focusing on colours, patterns and textures in nature and then make a collage to take back to your classroom. This activity is available all year.

Seed search

Search for seeds in the country park and investigate how they spread. This activity is available from Easter to the end of November.

Solar energy and the visitor centre

Find out how we keep warm at the visitor centre and how we make our own electricity. Pupils will make up their own simple circuits and use a photovoltaic cell to create their own electricity. This activity is available all year. This is best suited to KS2 pupils, can be adapted for KS1 pupils but is not suitable for reception pupils.

Food chains

Look at food chains and the importance of biodiversity. What would happen if one link in the food chain altered? Games help to clarify learning objectives. This activity is available all year.

Sculpture programme

Explore some of the sculptures around the park, encouraging the pupils to consider how they were made and from what materials, but also to comment on choice of subject and aesthetic value. The second part of the activity consists of building their own sculpture in the woods from natural resources, giving them the chance to be creative whilst demonstrating their previous learning. This activity is available all year.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

A programme that considers the problems of large amounts of rubbish in our society and what can be done to reduce, reuse or recycle it. A mention of how Brocks Hill Visitor Centre conserves energy and a brief look at some compost bins and a discussion of nature's way of recycling is followed by the exciting paper making activity. This activity takes place mainly indoors and is available all year.

Orienteering (self led)

Three courses of varying difficulty in one pack. Packs cost £1.50 each. Please note that the course map is subject to copyright and should not be reproduced without permission of the Leicestershire Orienteering Club (details of the club are also in the pack).

Mini beast kit box

Available to hire for schools wishing to conduct their own mini beast hunt in the park. Cost of hire is £10.00 for the day or part of a day.

Free time

Teachers may choose to use the park for their own activities and combine these with an activity run by us. This option is available all year. There is usually a trail for children around the park and the large outdoor natural play area encourages natural play. The human sun dial can be used to tell the time and the relief plaques, denoting the hours, may also be used for brass rubbings.

Charges

Charges are £44.00 per activity per class up to a maximum of 35 pupils.

Booking

Please initially contact us at the Brocks Hill Centre, using the contact panel on the left, to discuss your requirements and a suitable date.

A Booking Form for Schools' Activities at Brocks Hill Visitor Centre (PDF Document, 247.04 Kb)