KEY STAGE 1 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 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.

YOUR VISIT
We welcome all stages from infants to A level, with plenty to occupy a whole day, and visits at different seasons. Children are encouraged to handle, collect, investigate. You are welcome to organise your own investigations. See the Subject Webs for how woodland learning fits into the National Curriculum.  We have designed Topic Packages for the topics studied here most frequently to help you plan your day.  You tailor your visit entirely as you wish; the chart below gives a possible timetable for KS1 based on two consecutive guided walks of ¾ hr each.

                                             Group one                            Group two
10.00 – 10.30                                     Arrival and welcome                                         
10.30 – 11.15              Guided walk                    Discovery trail or woodland activity
11.15 – 11.30                   Play                                                 "                              
11.30 – 11.45            Activity sheet                                    Guided walk                     
11.45 – 12.00                    "                                                       "                            
12.00 – 12.30                 Lunch                                               Lunch                       
12.30 – 1.00          Discovery trail or woodland activity                Play                         
1.00 – 1.30                       "                                              Activity sheet                  
1.30 – 2.00                                       Play, shop and wcs                                         
2.00 – 2.30                                                Depart                                                 

· Normally only ONE SCHOOL AT A TIME is booked, with the WHOLE WOOD available to you. There is an extensive network of paths.
· 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, but smaller groups essential for young children. 2 or 3 simultaneous walks can be held.
· “Have a go” DEMONSTRATIONS for ¼ -½ hr. Turn chestnut poles into fenceposts and roof shingles. Children use hand tools, carefully supervised. Also felling, planting (in season).
· WOODLAND TRAIL up to ¾ mile long, with leaflet, quiz sheet and discovery trail (complementary to guided walks).* ¼ mile EASY ACCESS TRAIL for those with walking difficulties, with trail leaflet and discovery trail leaflet.
· ACTIVITY SHEETS* on many topics for KS1 and 2, including MINIBEAST SHEETS.*
· Lots of ideas for WOODLAND ACTIVITIES*
· DISPLAYS in the barn about growing and using wood.
· POND for dipping, newly restored. Bring equipment. Tame HENS, SHEEP (ask to see the hens).
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 6 children up to year 3; 1 per 10 children years 4 upwards.
· 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, with wellies in wet weather and hats in cold weather. Breakfast essential for concentration, and perhaps a mid-morning snack.
· You may collect material in moderation, such as tree leaves and pieces of wood. Collecting bags are useful.
· If you bring food and drink, please take away the packaging and other rubbish.

SCHOOL PRICES 2008
Admission: £2.05 per child; £1.55 for repeat visit in same school year.
1 adult per 6 children free up to year 3; 1 per 10 children years 4 upwards. Additional adults £3.05 Guided walks/demonstrations/supervised activities: £37per hour per group (in addition to admission).
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.