If you are considering a visit by a class from your school, the following may give you some useful information about how educational visits can be arranged and what we can provide for children.
The farm is in a Higher Level Environmental Stewardship Agreement with DEFRA which supports projects to improve the biodiversity of the farm and funds educational visits to the farm. Educational visits are free of charge to the school and we welcome children of all ages, especially those at primary school for whom we feel a visit can be most beneficial and encourage a lifelong interest in natural history.
The farm includes a range of habitats - woodland, wildflower meadows, natural ponds, arable land. A new pond has been created so that children can pond dip safely.
Our Study Centre has a class room which can accommodate up to 30 children, there are two toilets with hand basins so that children can wash their hands after handling plant material.
In discussion with you, we can create a morning or afternoon visit, that will address the topics being studied by your pupils in class.
Some ideas may be:
Pond dipping
Studying what is living under logs in dry and wet conditions
Taking leaf prints
Collecting a list of items - for example feathers, leaves with five points, acorn
Learning about the management of woodland
Studying found creatures using microscopes or magnifying boxes
Examining owl pellets (these are not droppings), which often contain small mammal bones and provide endless fascination for children
Learning about moths and butterflies
Children will be instructed by Rory Hart, who knows Sea Mere very well and imparts his knowledge in a fun and informative way. The best time to come is spring, summer or early autumn. Winter is often too cold and wet for the children to enjoy themselves.
What next?
Please download the Teachers Information Pack and contact us to discuss your needs.