Outdoor Learning

Outdoor learning

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Compelling learning experiences for early years to A level

Spectacular nature reserves and education facilities

Bespoke visits led by our environmental education experts suffolkwildlifetrust.org

A unique outdoor learning experience

Knettishall Heath

Let us inspire your class with a visit to one of our nature reserves or your local green space. Each reserve is a spectacular wildlife site offering a unique experience which reflects the varied landscape and habitats of Suffolk. It will be brought to life for you by the expertise of our Education Officers and their teams of skilled volunteers.

A rare ancient Breckland habitat. The Little Ouse River threads its way through a vast expanse of pony grazed heathland, woodlands and river side meadows, providing a wide range of opportunities for discovery and learning.

The result is an action packed hands-on day where children gain skills, knowledge and a connection with the natural world.

We work with over

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Lackford Lakes

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A wildlife haven, where birds and other wildlife can be seen close-up all year round. Come and see how nature has taken over this former gravel pit and explore the 11 lakes, meadows, reedbeds and woodlands.

schools in Suffolk

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Thetford

A11

Bradfield Woods

A134

One of Britain’s finest ancient woodlands, still managed in a traditional way.

Spring flowers, summer butterflies, coppiced trees and fungi make this National Nature Reserve an exceptional place to visit throughout the seasons.

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A143

Bury St Edmunds A14

Stowmarket Stowmarket

Newmarket A143

Arger Fen A134

Haverhill A fascinating mosaic of ancient coppice woodland and young woodland alongside wet meadows and rough grassland. The contrasting habitats create a rich environment for wildlife and exciting opportunities for exploration and learning.

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Sudbury

Ipswich Wild Spaces Using the historic parks and local green places in the town, we provide a unique opportunity for young people to learn and use natural history skills on their doorstep.

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Key to facilities

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Education centre

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Toilets

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Coach parking

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Access for all

Education shelter

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Redgrave & Lopham Fen

Lound Lakes

A rare and beautiful fenland habitat with freshwater pools teeming with invertebrates. Follow the River Waveney from its source or explore the sedge and reed beds, heath, wet meadows and woodlands that make this National Nature Reserve so special.

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A wonderfully wildlife-rich site containing a variety of habitats, including woodland, wildflower meadows, rush pasture and open water offering a wide range of handson learning opportunities including Forest School.

Carlton Marshes

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Fabulous flower-rich marshes, meadows and woodland alongside the river Waveney in the Broads National Park.

Explore the rich aquatic flora and fuana of the dykes and pools.

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Lowestoft

On the coast

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Southwold A12

A140

Saxmundham

A1120

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Rendlesham Forest An expanse of mixed woodland with sunny glades and stretches of colourful heathland. An ideal place to build shelters, walk nature trails, spot wildlife and learn more about the ecology of this fascinating working forest.

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Explore our unspoilt beaches as a rare and unique habitat.

This stunning landscape of crumbling cliffs, shingle beaches and sandy spits, is rich in wildlife and offers the perfect environment to discover and learn.

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Woodbridge Woodbridge Ipswich A14

A12

Felixstowe

Foxburrow Farm A mosaic of mixed arable fields, woodlands, ponds, meadows and a traditional orchard. This reserve is an ideal place to explore and discover a range of habitats, compare and contrast close at hand and see farming and wildlife thriving together.

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PHOTOS: JOHN FERGUSON, TOM MARSHALL, MATTHEW ROBERTS, PERLY J, STEVE AYLWARD, BEV ROGERS. COVER: JOHN FERGUSON

It was lovely to see individuals shine in this learning environment KS2 teacher Middleton Primary School

From early years to year 6 Our nature reserves offer fantastic opportunities for children to learn about the natural world through close encounters with plants and animals in their natural habitats.

At every education reserve we offer:  Hands on, investigative learning experiences.

 Bespoke programmes to meet the specific needs of your group.  Expertise and specialist equipment.  Excellent value for money.

DAVID TIPLING

Example topics are given below. Please get in touch with us to discuss your specific requirements.

ERTS MATTHEW ROB

 Cross curricular activities for all Key Stages tailored to the requirements of the National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage.

MATTHEW ROBERTS

Early Years Our Early Years programmes offer fun and stimulating activities for 4-5 year olds linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Learning through stories (also available for Key Stage 1) Explore the natural environment through hands-on activities and games linked to familiar stories including The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Gruffalo and Stickman.

Sensory journeys

Experience the natural world through the senses and investigate shapes, colours, textures, sounds and smells.

Wild play

Discover and learn about the natural environment through child-led play.

Key Stage 1

Wild art

Our Key Stage 1 programmes provide opportunities to work scientifically by asking questions, observing, using equipment, performing simple tests, identifying, classifying, recording and using scientific language.

Use a variety of natural materials to create expressive art outdoors, inspired by the natural world.

We teach over

15,000

children each year

The children have learned so much from the practical activities Angela Mansfield Morland Primary School MATTHEW ROBERTS

Lower Key Stage 2 Our Lower Key Stage 2 programmes provide opportunities to work scientifically through asking questions, observing, measuring, using equipment, gathering data, recording, reporting, drawing conclusions, making predictions, identifying differences, similarities or changes and using scientific language.

Plant explorer

Marvellous mammals

Invertebrate search

Rocks & soils

Identify and name common plants and investigate life cycles, structure and functions, including pollination, seed dispersal and germination, through activities and games.

Learn about different types of soil in the local environment, investigate soil samples and carry out soil tests. Examine and classify rock samples and discover how fossils are formed.

STEVE AYLWARD

Search for invertebrates in different habitats and use and make simple keys for identification and classification. Construct food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey.

Identify similarities and differences in habitat and lifestyle between mammals.

Compare features of mammals, including teeth, at first hand using skull and bone collections.

Upper Key Stage 2 Our Upper Key Stage 2 programmes provide opportunities to conduct scientific enquiries, use scientific equipment, gather data, record, report and present findings, make predictions, devise comparative and fair tests, identify differences, similarities or changes and use relevant scientific language.

MATTHEW ROBERTS

Living things & their habitats

Exploring habitats

Identify and name common plants and animals in a range of habitats e.g. through freshwater dipping, invertebrate sampling and plant studies. Observe the effects of seasonal changes on the natural environment and investigate the weather associated with the seasons.

Identify and name common plants and investigate structure and functions, including reproduction, germination and growth, through activities and games.

Animal detectives

Explore habitats and microhabitats to find the animals that live there and learn how they are adapted for survival. Investigate animal senses, life processes and food chains through activities and games.

MATTHEW ROBERTS

Mapping adventure

Use simple compass directions and locational and directional language to describe the location of features and routes on a map. Devise a simple map and use symbols in a key.

Follow the River Deben from its source to the sea or the River Waveney from its source through Redgrave & Lopham Fen. Carry out observations and measure width, depth and flow. Discover ways that we have shaped the river and our impact on it.

Introducing evolution

Explore the reserve using maps, compass work and grid references and produce a 3D map of the physical features and topography of the landscape and habitats. Investigate land use and management over time.

Identify how plants and animals are adapted to their environment and explore how adaptation can lead to evolution. Learn about the work of famous evolutionary theorist Charles Darwin.

Plant safari

River trips

Investigate plants and animals in different habitats and create and interpret food chains and webs.

Use keys to identify and classify plants and animals. Discover the life cycles of amphibians, mammals, insects and birds.

Find out about a famous naturalist like David Attenborough.

Physical & human geography

Key Stage 3 and beyond Key Stages 3 & 4 Our Key Stage 3 and 4 programmes provide opportunities to develop geographical skills and to work scientifically through asking questions and developing a line of enquiry based on observations of the real world.

Compare & contrast habitats

Variation and classification

Examine the challenges facing nature reserves through climate change and pollution and how these influence habitat management decisions. Take freshwater samples to assess water quality and the impact on invertebrates.

JOHN FERGUSON

Environmental issues, climate change & sustainability

GCSE Our GCSE programmes offer a real-world experience to develop competence in applying scientific and geographical knowledge, investigative skills and understanding and an opportunity for practical assessments and fieldwork.

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Investigate the effect of named abiotic factors on the distribution and abundance of plant species using quadrats and belt transects.

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Investigate the use of indicator species in assessing the water quality of a freshwater habitat.

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Compare and contrast the distribution and abundance of plant species in two locations with different management regimes.

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Study human impact on habitats and the sustainable management of our nature reserves.

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Measure the population size of a mobile species.

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Measure abiotic factors using appropriate scientific equipment and investigate the effect of these on the distribution and abundance of plant species using a variety of sampling and recording methods, including belt transects and the use of percentage cover and frequency.

We plan visits for your syllabus and

students

JOHN FERGUSON

A level Our A level programmes build on the opportunities offered in our GCSE programmes to develop key ecological concepts and terminology and complete the practical fieldwork required for the environmental and ecological units of A level studies.

MATTHEW ROBERTS

Investigate how microclimatic conditions can cause variation in plants within a habitat. Use a variety of field techniques to collect, identify and classify invertebrates.

Compare two contrasting habitats and assess how human influences impact on vegetation, invertebrate populations and distribution.

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Use mark-release-recapture and individual count techniques as methods for estimating the population size of mobile terrestrial and freshwater species.

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Compare and contrast the impact of different habitat management regimes on the distribution and abundance of plant species, at two locations, using a variety of sampling and recording methods.

For all Key Stages Forest School are creative and gain knowledge through first hand experience.

With eight Forest School Level 3 leaders covering the whole of Suffolk, we can deliver Forest School in your local woodland, at one of our sites or in your school grounds.

JOHN FERGUSON

Forest School offers prolonged learning over six or more sessions.

Young people explore nature at their own pace and follow their interests, giving them time to build self esteem and confidence and to become independent learners. They acquire new skills, problem solve, investigate,

Half or full

Wild Beach

The sessions had a very clear A-level focus and were absolutely spot on for the AQA biology requirements

Wild Beach brings the child-led ethos of Forest School to Suffolk’s unique coastline. Six week programmes allow children to develop a connection with nature, in this exhilarating wild habitat, whilst developing an understanding of the coast as an important ecosystem.

Norwich High School for Girls

Coastal Explorers KS1 & KS2

JOHN FERGUSON

Explore the seashore and plant life on the coast. Learn about tides and weather as well as geographical features. Consider the physical and human factors affecting this specialised habitat.

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Coastal Ecology KS3

Investigate the beach substrate, looking closely at sediment size, infiltration and beach profiles.

Identify and classify key plant and animal species and design hands-on experiments to measure the abiotic factors influencing them. Investigate the marine ecosystem and factors affecting marine species.

GCSE

Investigate your local beach as an important ecosystem. Develop the students’ practical field skills with hands-on work focusing on organisms in the environment and coastal management.

SCC & BEV ROGERS

On the coast

Book now

Learning in and around your school In addition to our centre-based activities, we can offer cross-curricular learning experiences in your school grounds, at other Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve or in another local wild space. Please get in touch with us to discuss your requirements.

Schools Wildlife Watch

We also offer Schools Wildlife Watch, our support package for teachers.

Benefits include:

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Termly mailings with seasonal resources, activity ideas and school grounds advice

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Discounted Continuing Professional Development course

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Discounted class visit to one of our education reserves or a visit from your local education officer

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Using your school grounds or local parks to deliver the KS1 and KS2 curriculum

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    L3

01394 380113

Knettishall Heath 07717 156601

Lackford Lakes 01284 728706

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Redgrave & Lopham Fen 01379 688333 redgrave.education@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Thetford

Diss

Southwold A12

A11

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A143

A140 Bury St Edmunds Stowmarket A143

Haverhill

Foxburrow Farm

lackford.education@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Lowestoft

touch

01502 564250

samantha.gay@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Forest School level 3 leader course

Newmarket

Carlton Marshes

foxburrow.education@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Advanced Forest School

Get in

01449 737996

carlton.education@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Forest School taster day

A134

Bradfield Woods bradfield.education@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

We also offer topical Continuing Professional Development courses for teachers and deliver courses with Norfolk and Suffolk Learning Partnership. Examples are: Working scientifically to deliver the curriculum

01449 737996 bradfield.education@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Training for teachers

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Arger Fen

A1120

Saxmundham Aldeburgh

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Woodbridge

Sudbury

Ipswich A12

Ipswich education 01473 890089 ipswich.education@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

A14

Felixstowe

01473 890089 info@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

A14

A134

Rendlesham

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On the coast 01473 890089

Eve Horsfall

info@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

suffolkwildlifetrust.org Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Brooke House Ashbocking, Ipswich IP6 9JY 01473 890089 info@suffolkwildlifetrust.org suffolkwildlifetrust.org Registered charity no 262777

More about our learning opportunities: suffolkwildlifetrust.org