SECONDARY SCHOOL VISITS 2008

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                                         WHAT IS WILDERNESS WOOD LIKE?
A family-owned and run 61 acre working woodland, where wood is grown sustainably in traditional sweet chestnut coppices and conifer and beech plantations. Both a productive woodland and a "natural" place that is home to many plants and animals, including spring bluebells and autumn toadstools. An ancient wood, with two Roman iron smelting sites.
Wood products include sawlogs, poles, firewood and Christmas trees. In our workshop we make garden items from the harvested wood. Our wooden barn shows the many traditional uses of timber in building.
Wilderness Wood is also a tourist attraction welcoming about 20,000 paying visitors a year; with trails, picnic and play areas, exhibition, tearoom and shop.
                                            
                                                            YOUR VISIT
We welcome all stages from infants to A level, with plenty to occupy a whole day, and visits at different seasons. Students are encouraged to handle, collect, investigate. You are welcome to organise your own investigations. You tailor your visit entirely as you wish.

Aspects of geography, science, biology, leisure and tourism and technology, can be studied at all levels.
Suggested curriculum areas: woodland ecosystems;
ecological aspects of biology;
processes in and management of ecosystems - KS 3/4 geography;
resource planning and management – KS 3/4 geography;
GNVQ leisure and tourism; rural tourism
technology – sources and uses of wood.

· Normally only ONE SCHOOL AT A TIME is booked, with the WHOLE WOOD available to you. There is an extensive network of paths.
· TALKS and GUIDED WALKS for ½ -1½ hours. Tailored to your age group and topic; with leaders trained in forestry and conservation. Maximum group size about 30. 2 or 3 simultaneous walks can be held.
· DEMONSTRATIONS for ¼ -½ hr. Turn chestnut poles into fenceposts and roof shingles. Pupils use hand tools, carefully supervised. Also felling, planting (in season).
· WOODLAND TRAIL up to ¾ mile long with leaflet, quiz sheet (complementary to guided walks)* ¼ mile EASY ACCESS TRAIL for those with walking difficulties, with trail guide.
· DISPLAYS in the barn about growing and using wood.
· POND for dipping (with prior permission).
Asterisked * items are covered further in this Teachers’ Pack

BACK-UP
· Free PRE-VISIT for teachers. Please 'phone first.
· PARKING for 2 coaches or about 40 cars. Please drive down to yard.
· WELCOME and safety talk on arrival; experienced staff on hand for advice/assistance.
· SHELTER in barn, lean-to, gazebos, with tables and woodstove; lavatories.
· PICNIC and BARBECUE FACILITIES; exciting ADVENTURE PLAY AREA.
· Carefully selected SOUVENIRS, costing 15p-£2.
· Full public liability INSURANCE. RISK ASSESSMENTS available.

PRACTICAL POINTS
· Wilderness Wood is open all the year round, at any time for booked groups.
· At least 1 adult per 15 students; 1 per 6-8 students for the maths trail.
· Children must be adequately supervised at all times, and kept away from machinery, workshop and timber stacks.
  Wheelchair access to barn, WC, and picnic areas, demonstrations, ¼ mile easy access path.
  Appropriate warm and waterproof clothing essential.
· You may collect material in moderation, such as tree leaves and pieces of wood.
· If you bring food and drink, please take away the packaging and other rubbish.

SCHOOL PRICES 2008  (
Admission: £2.05 per student; £1.55 for repeat visit in same school year.
1 adult per 10 children free. Additional adults £3.05
Guided walks/demonstrations/supervised activities: £37 per hour per group (in addition to admission). (Admission waived for short visits).
Trail leaflets 25p Quiz/activity sheets 15p
(10p over 10 copies. Copying permitted)
Teachers' Pack: £4 for a paper copy of the online Teachers' Pack
BOOKING AND PAYMENT
Telephone to discuss dates, and your particular requirements. Then post the booking form and deposit; this confirms your booking. Pay the balance on arrival. In the case of very bad weather, visits may be cancelled by 9am on the day of the visit and deposit refunded.