Early years settings and primary schools programme
Take your children on a journey of learning and discovery at one of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust's beautiful reserves.
The skilled and experienced learning team will lead your day and engage your children’s heads, hearts, and hands.
We're passionate about making the outdoors fun, accessible and relevant – whatever your age.
Imaginative activities link with early learning goals, the Key Stage 1 and 2 science, geography and history curricula and give opportunities for developing literacy and numeracy skills. Sessions are adapted to be age-appropriate, accessible and relevant to experience.
Whatever the season, why not join us for an adventure and a day of learning outside the classroom?
Things to know before you book
We offer fully led days for pre-booked groups year-round at our main learning centres - Crickley Hill, Greystones Farm and Robinswood Hill.
- Trips usually run from 10am – 2.30pm but timings can be flexible.
- Some programmes are location-specific and/or seasonally available, for example river dipping and river study is only available at Greystones Farm.
- Single class visits (of approximately 30 children) work best, but if you want to bring more than one class at the same time, please talk to the learning team.
- Suggested school staffing ratios for schools visits are:
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Nursery/pre-school: one adult per three children
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Reception: one adult per five children
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Years 1-3: one adult per six children
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Years 4-6: one adult per eight children
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Ratios do not include one-to-one support or Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers
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- Visits cost £8 per child (or £5 for half-day programmes), accompanying adults are free.
- For small classes there is a minimum cost of £180 per class (£120 for half day sessions). Please note, it may not be possible for us to accommodate requests for half-day sessions in our peak periods.
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Wilder Learning Bursary or Countryside Stewardship Scheme funding may be available for some schools at specific sites. Please contact learning@gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk for more information.
Lianne de MelloGirl_with_bug_pot_Lianne de Mello
Minibeast magic
EYFS and lower Key Stage 1
Available February to October at Crickley Hill and Robinswood Hill.
Through a story, outdoor sensory exploration, and discovery, your little ones will explore the woodland and meadow, search for bugs and get creative. This is a wonderful introduction to the natural world for your youngest children.
This is a half day adventure.
Child and butterfly (c) Hugo Whately
Wildlife explorers
EYFS and lower Key Stage 1
Available February to October at Crickley Hill and Robinswood Hill.
Through a story, outdoor sensory exploration, and discovery, your little ones will explore the woodland and meadow, search for bugs, learn about woodland animals and get creative. This is a wonderful introduction to the natural world for your youngest children.
This is a full day adventure.
Nick Turner
Habitat discovery
Upper Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2
Available February to October at Greystones Farm and Robinswood Hill.
Inspire your children with hands-on nature discovery in a mix of habitats. Choose 2 activities for a full day’s adventure.
Nature detectives: search for animal clues and minibeasts to solve a woodland or meadow mystery.
Pond dipping at Robinswood Hill (February - October only): explore the pond and discover who makes its home there.
River dipping at Greystones Farm (April-October only): investigate the creatures that live in and around in this watery habitat.
This is a full day adventure.
Matt Jarvis
River discovery
Upper Key Stage 2
Available April to October at Greystones Farm.
Why are rivers important to local wildlife and humans? Explore the key aspects of rivers, work scientifically to identify the invertebrates living in the River Eye and search for evidence of river-bank dwelling animals.
This is a full day adventure.
(c) Anne-Marie Randall
Iron Age life
Key Stage 2
Available February to October at at Greystones Farm and Crickley Hill
Travel back in time to discover what life was like during the Iron Age. Find out how Iron Age people lived in harmony with the natural world. What evidence and artefacts have been found to tell us about life here in the past?
The programmes includes hands-on activities such as getting messy with wattle and daub, fire-lighting and cooking in our Roundhouse (Greystones Farm only).
This is a full day adventure.
Lots of hands-on practical activities for the children to try. We’ve been able to do lots of follow up work at school because their memories of the day are so strong. So much learning in a short period of time.Croft School, Painswick
