Environmental education is usually delivered outside the classroom. We create sessions for schools across the curriculum, as well as fun days for community youth groups such as the cubs, guides and parent and child groups.
We offer fun and effective learning by connecting people with the natural world. We offer this service in school grounds, community spaces or on our countryside sites.
We also run a comprehensive programme for schools, higher and further education and the local community at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. Hardwick Park offers some unique learning opportunities due to its rich history and the variety of natural beauty and wildlife. For details contact the Education Officer at Hardwick Park.
Outreach in schools and in the community
What do we do?
We deliver fun, exciting and educational games and provide activities such as mini-beast hunts and tree identification. We also give advice to schools and other organisations about developing their grounds for wildlife. We can offer advice and support to any organisation, but can't provide quotes for site works.
We will not provide physical assistance for site works unless it is a previously agreed part of the session, for example tree planting.
Who is this service for?
School and community groups aged from 5 to 14 years old (plus parents and teachers).
What must I agree to do?
You should:
- provide details of group size, age and any special requirements
- fill out site risk assessment and sign risk assessment forms
- agree costs and payment method.
The organisation must ensure that:
- the participants are appropriately dressed for the activities
- everyone in their group sticks to the conditions arising from the risk assessments
- they provide appropriate supervision ratios
- where necessary, the group provides their own transport.
What happens next?
Once the organisation has contacted us about providing environmental education sessions, we try to arrange a face-to-face meeting within one or two weeks to discuss the aims and objectives, costs and risks of the proposed session. This is usually combined with an initial inspection of the area where the activities are to take place, whether on school grounds or on a countryside site.
What are the costs?
For our mix of games and activities linked to the national curriculum for schools, charges are:
- £3.00 per child for a three hour session, or £4.50 per child for over three hours (minimum charge £45).
For most self-funded community groups, charities and extra curricular school clubs, there won't be a charge for these sessions.
Guided walks for your group are charged:
- £2.50 per person (carers, supervisors and teachers are not charged).
When we supply materials they are generally charged 'at cost'.
FAQs
Q: Where does it happen?
A: Depending on the activities we deliver, the sessions are held on school grounds/community centres or on one of our countryside sites.
Q: Are all the sessions the same?
A: We cater all of our sessions to the needs of the group we are working with.
Q: Do the Rangers supply waterproofs and wellies for bad weather?
A: We do not supply any clothing or footwear. We make recommendations according to the weather reports but it is the participant’s responsibility to bring appropriate clothing.
Q: Are the schools activities linked to the National Curriculum?
A: Almost all the activities for schools have direct links to the National Curriculum
Q: What equipment and materials will the Rangers supply?
A: We supply all equipment and materials for any activities unless otherwise agreed.
Q: Can the Rangers deliver ‘fun’ as well as educational activities?
A: All our activities are fun! Most do have educational outcomes but they are still appropriate for play days and non-school groups
Q: Are the Rangers police-checked for working with children?
A: All the Countryside Rangers have had an enhanced CRB check
Q: What are the maximum sizes and age range of the groups?
A: Group size depends on how many members of staff are available, what the required supervision ratios are, and what the activities involve. We work with groups aged 5 to 14 years.
Q: How do you book and how much notice is necessary?
A: Call us at the number below to talk to us about your requirements. Depending on the activity and how busy we are, we need up to a month's notice for booking.
Q: Do you just work with school groups?
A: No. We work with community groups like beavers and cubs as well as kids' clubs and parent and children clubs.
Q: Do you work with groups outside County Durham?
A: We are happy to to work with groups from anywhere, but all the activities will be undertaken in County Durham.
Q: Do you do Health and Safety risk assessments for activities?
A: Yes, we do a full risk assessment for all sessions held on countryside sites and school grounds.
More information
For more countryside information, please click on one of the links below:
Other sources of information
