Cuerden Education
ProgrammeWe would like to invite you to join us for
an inspiring visit to Cuerden Valley Park. We are
offering educational activities that are linked to
the National Curriculum and QCA Schemes of Work.
Programmes include our very popular River Studies
and Victorians as well as brand new for 2011 Owl-tastic
experience and Arts in the Park!
Victorian Outdoor Experience
KS2 - Full day programme
History – Knowledge & Understanding of events,
people and changes in Victorian Britain.
English – To participate in role play as a Victorian
school child.
The children are sent
a letter by Mrs Mary Barfield, Housekeeper of
Cuerden Hall, to say that she is looking for workers
at the estate. The children come to the Hall on a
trial day and take part in typical jobs on the
estate such as charcoal burning, kitchen gardening,
game keeping and ice cream making! All the children
get a turn at each job and then back at school they
must decide which jobs they liked best and write a
letter of application for the job on the estate.
This is a fantastic
opportunity for dressing up and role-playing as a
Victorian child working on a country estate
2012 Bookings are being taken for:
19th March to 23rd March, 25th to 28th June,
9th to 12th July and 24th September to 28th September
Review of our Victorian days in 2010:
“I was talking to the class about the visit and
they all agreed it was the best trip they had been
on - the highlight was the poacher!"
Mrs Miller (Teacher)
Torrisholme Primary School
(As part of the programme, pupils are invited to
write back to the Park to apply for a job they tried
on the day).
Environmental Education
Programmes
Choose any of the following exciting programmes for
a half-day visit, or combine two for a full-day programme.
Most educational visits are scheduled for Monday or
Thursday, as the Education
Officer works part-time. Group sizes of around 30 pupils
will ensure that the pupils get the most from their
visit. If you have other requirements, please discuss
them with us. See the booking and information section
below.
River Studies - KS2
-
Water and its effect on landscapes
and people
-
The physical features of the River
Lostock
-
The processes of erosion and deposition
-
The identification & classification
of living things found in the River Lostock.
River Studies - KS3
Science Sc2:
Geography:
Pupils complete a
river based field enquiry and learn about water and
its effect on landscapes and people, including the
physical features of the River Lostock and the
process of erosion and deposition. Also, the
identification & classification of living things
found in the River Lostock and their adaptations to
survive in the river.
Using Fieldwork
techniques pupils will measure the river profile
characteristics and produce field sketch techniques.
They will collect data on velocity, width and depth. They will also
kick and sweep sample for some living organisms in
the river, identify them and discuss their
adaptations.
Pond Dipping / Mini-Beast Hunting - KS1, KS2
NC and QCA Schemes Links: Science,
Geography:
-
Adaptation and feeding
relationships of living things in their environment
-
Variation and Classification of pond creatures
-
Responsible
handling of living things
Using nets and trays,
to catch and identify a range of invertebrate
life in a pond and woodland. We use our own ID charts.
The children search these two habitats and compare their
finds, studying classification and adaptation.
Woodland Wonders - KS1, KS2
NC and QCA Schemes Links: Science,
Citizenship:
-
Exploration and development
of ideas and sensitivity to the
natural environment.
-
There are
different plants in the immediate environment
-
Treat growing
plants with care
The children are taken to the
American Pinetum to explore the woodland, using
their senses. This activity does not concentrate on
naming or classifying wildlife, or even its
scientific study. Children are part of the natural
world and as such are encouraged to take care of
living things and have a respect for nature.
Orienteering - KS1
New 2012:
Easy short course linked with fun
scavenger style hunt for objects.
Orienteering - KS2
NC and QCA Schemes Links: Geography,
PE and Citizenship:
-
Development of
orienteering and problem solving skills
-
Building trust and
working as a team
-
Following maps and
trails, solving physical problems and challenges
Discover the delights of Cuerden Valley Park by following
the easy-to-use orienteering trail. The children
work in small groups using a map and clue sheet and
have to find their way around the park. Extension to
Orienteering, pupils use grid references to identify
points and navigate their way to them.This activity can
easily be supervised by school staff.
Orienteering - KS3
Geography:
-
To develop map
reading skills
-
The use of symbols
and scales
-
How to use direction
when reading a map
Discover the delights
of Cuerden Valley Park by following the easy to use
orienteering trail. Extension to Orienteering,
pupils use grid references to identify points and
navigate their way to them.This activity can be self led.
Discovering Habitats - KS2
NC and QCA Schemes
Links: Science, Geography:
-
To identify
different types of habitat
-
Observe conditions
in a local habitat and make a record of the
animals found
-
Use keys to identify
local plants or animals
-
Pupils will develop
sensitivity to the natural environment and its
variations
-
Use storytelling and
group discussion to encourage independent
thought and creativity
-
Create a piece of
ephemeral artwork using natural materials and
processes
-
Take a fun look at
the adaptations of living things to the
environment
Pupils will be taken on a
magical adventure to explore the mythical land of
the Querdosaurus, a mysterious beast who lives in
Cuerden Valley Park. Pupils begin their adventure
by exploring the park with an artist’s eye to
discover the patterns, colours and shapes hidden in
their natural surroundings. They then gather close
to hear the story of the Querdosaurus. Taking
inspiration from the story and what they have
learnt, pupils will create pieces of ephemeral art
and sculpture using the materials found in the park
around them.
The emphasis in this program
is on creating work “lasting only one day” before
returning to nature. Pupils are encouraged to
evaluate and appreciate the work created by others.
An Owl-tastic
experience! - KS1, KS2
NC and QCA schemes links: Science
(Sc2 Life processes and living things), Geography
and Citizenship
-
Hands on experience
with amazing native birds of prey
-
Learn all about the
native habitats and the food chains that exist
within them
-
Adaptation of living
things
-
Why living things
need protection
We
are very excited to be able to offer an amazing
birds of prey workshop here at the park! Working in
partnership with Cuerden Birds of Prey this new
program allows pupils the chance to get up close and
personal with some of Britain’s top predators.
Tawny and Little owls can be found wild within the
park and this program gives pupils the magical
experience of meeting captive bred birds in their
natural environment. Pupils will have the
opportunity to become “hands on” with the birds,
touching and possibly even flying them!
The
program uses native birds of prey as the starting
point for pupils to learn all about the life
processes of native creatures, their habitats and
the adaptations they have that make them so well
suited to their environments.
Featuring owls and other raptors from Cuerden Birds
of Prey the program promises to be a truly
unforgettable learning experience!
www.cuerdenbirdsofprey.com
Review of our Environmental Education Programme in 2010:
River Studies
“OUTSTANDING!! We will be booking again soon. My
grateful thanks"
Mr Madeley (Teacher)
St Gabriels C E Primary School
Woodland Wonders
“Pauline was great as the leader, she had lots of
interesting facts and games for the children to play
and the day went really quickly.
Miss Hooton
Richard Durnings School
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How to Book
All groups (self-led or otherwise) must book in
advance to ensure availability of the park & teaching
sessions. Please book provisionally by email or telephone
and then return the booking form to confirm your visit
and programme requirements. As we are a charity,
there is a small charge to cover staff and
administrative costs.
Orienteering
(self led) £1
Half Day (1
activity) £3
Half day Owl-tastic
experience £4
Full Day (1
activity + Orienteering) £4
Full Day (2
activities) £5.50
Full Day (1
activity + Owl-tastic) £6
Full Day
Victorians £6
All the half day programmes are on
Mondays and Thursdays only. There is an increased
charge for the Victorians programme because it uses more staff
and equipment: £6.00 per child
per day. There is no charge for teachers or
adult helpers.
Please contact the
Education
Officer, by e-mailing
education@cuerdenvalleypark.org.uk or telephoning
01772 324436 for further information and bookings.
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Environmental
review. The pond dipping/minibeasts and
discovering habitats programmes provide pupils
with basic skills needed to be able to return to
school and carry out their own environmental
audit.
-
Action Plan. We can
provide lots of handy tips and strategies to
help your school progress through the
Eco-Schools awards. Using hands on activities
your pupils and staff will gain valuable
insights into making your school more
environmentally friendly, from creating bug
hotels to increasing biodiversity, we can help.
-
Continuous
monitoring. Pupils taking part in the
environmental programmes here at the Park have
first hand experience in monitoring wildlife.
This experience can be turned into a monitoring
programme that can then be carried out back at
school.
-
Eco-lunches scheme.
The Eco-lunch scheme is an excellent way of
highlighting to pupils the importance of
recycling and how to minimise waste.
Recycling
We
do encourage children from your school to recycle
lunch packaging. We have relevant bins on the
premises for your use.
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Holiday Club
If you
run a holiday club for school aged children and are
looking for something different then try one of our
half day activities for £3.00 per child, except for
the Orienteering at £1.00 per child, put two
programmes together for a whole day, see above
for how to book.
Half Day
Programmes are:
River Fun
Fun and games in
and around the River Lostock at Cuerden Valley Park.
Children will get the chance to
go into the river and dip, using kick and sweep
sample techniques; they will look for some of the
living creatures in the river, identify them and
discuss how they manage to live there.
They will also play lively
outdoor games – How does a bat hunt for food? Who
lives along the river bank? What do you know about
nature? All will be revealed while playing these
exciting games.
Minibeast Safari
Visit two
of the following – Pond, Woodland or Grassland and
discover what small creatures make their homes
there.
You will have the time to visit
two locations, this gives you the choice whether to
work with water or not. Using nets or pots you will
get the chance to hunt for all sorts of minibeasts
and find out who eats who and why they live there.
Earth
Walk
Get to
know the natural world by going on a very special
walk through the park.
On this short walk we will visit
the Pinetum, river, woodlands, lake, meadow and
lots, lots more! We will stop to complete different
activities and games on the way. How nature stole
colours from the rainbow, slideshows to blow your
mind and walking in the trees.
To develop map
reading skills, using symbols, scale and how to use
direction when reading a map.
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Events
Please
link here to the full events programme:
Monday 13th February
2012, 10am - 12noon, Earth Walk
Monday 2nd April 2012,
10am - 12noon, Easter Fun
Thursday 7th June 2012,
10am - 12noon, Minibeast Adventure
Monday 30th July 2012,
10am - 1pm, Teddy Bears Picnic
Thursday 23rd August
2012,
10am - 12noon, Creature Creation
Monday 29th October 2012, 10am
- 12noon, River Fun - Please book for this event
There is a charge of
£2.50 per child for each activity, for more
information on each event and how to book please
follow the link above.
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Supporters
We are grateful for
all the Volunteers who help and support our
education programme. If you enjoy working with
children and would like to Volunteer then please
complete an
application form and return it to the Park
Office, please be aware that a Criminal Records
Bureau Check will be carried out.
For further
information please contact our
Education Officer, Ruth Abraham,
at the Park Office on 01772 324436 or email
education@cuerdenvalleypark.org.uk.
