School programmes in Bedfordshire

This school programme introduces the pupils to the Chiltern Hills through a giant, illustrated map.   This amazing map shows human features including Luton, Dunstable and Houghton Regis as well as roads and railways.  It also shows physical features such as rivers and chalk grassland nature reserves.  The pupils will locate their school and the Wildlife Trust BCN nature reserves on the map and take part in a discussion about the interaction between people and the living landscape.  The pupils will then go on a journey searching for flora and fauna in the school grounds and will take part in some exciting activities including mini beast hunting and plant identification.    They will use bug pots and will develop their identification skills through practical hands-on experience.  The pupils are introduced to some of the amazing wildlife on the local Wildlife Trust BCN nature reserves – the “tiny creatures of the big hills” such as the marbled white butterfly, stag beetle and bee orchid and locate them by putting models of these chalk grassland characters on to the giant map. Through interactive storytelling, pupils in Year 5 and Year 6 will learn more about the amazing Duke of Burgundy Butterfly and the science behind its story.

Year 1 and 2

This programme enables pupils to investigate some of our local species and habitats using a range of techniques and equipment. Pupils will develop their skills and knowledge through a series of hands-on practical investigations and experiences of plants and minibeasts. They will also develop their awareness and understanding of the life cycle of one amazing species of ‘tiny creatures of the big hills’.

Year 3 and 4

This programme enables pupils to develop a deeper understanding of some of our local species and habitats using a range of techniques and equipment. Pupils will develop their skills and knowledge through a series of hands-on practical investigations and experiences of plants and minibeasts. They will also develop their awareness and understanding of food webs as they learn about one of the amazing species of ‘tiny creatures of the big hills’.

Year 5 and 6

This programme enables pupils to develop a deeper understanding of some of our local species and habitats using a range of techniques and equipment. Pupils will develop their skills and knowledge through a series of hands-on practical investigations and experiences of plants and minibeasts. They will also develop their awareness and understanding of one amazing species of ‘tiny creatures of the big hills’, its characteristics and the challenges it faces. 

In this exciting programme pupils will become Time Travellers to go back in time to find out about the fossils hiding in the hills.   Through interactive story telling, pupils will discover what this area was like millions of years ago and learn how chalk was formed.  Pupils will have fun using a range of equipment including a snorkel and flippers and a Time Travellers Clock to go back in time to the Cretaceous period.  They will use images of sea creatures to arrange themselves in to a food chain and discover who ate who.  Pupils will learn about the work of geologists and palaeontologists who study rocks and the animals and plants that lived in the past.   They will discover how fossils give us clues to the past and will have fun making their own fossil imprint using clay.

This programme enables pupils to develop a deeper understanding of their local environment and the changes that have taken place over time. Throughout a day of practical, hands-on experience and adventure, pupils will develop their awareness and understanding of food webs and how fossils reveal which creatures used to live here and how they lived in the past.

Forest School sessions enable pupils to have fun and take part in a range of practical activities in woodland and natural spaces and develop team working skills, confidence and independence.  These physically active sessions can improve stamina and have a positive impact on physical health and emotional well-being.

Key stage 1 and 2

These fun sessions are a great opportunity for youngsters to explore, learn about nature, build confidence and gain new skills.  The pupils will take part in a range of activities including storytelling, natural crafts, games, using tools, bug hunting, den building and fire lighting, as well as opportunities for free play and self-led exploration.

Key stage 3 and 4

These fun sessions are a great opportunity for young people to explore, learn about nature, build confidence and gain new skills.  They will take part in a range of activities including looking after a reserve, plant and invertebrate identification, mindfulness, den building and fire lighting, as well as opportunities for self-led exploration. Participants will be able to be part of planning the sessions.

½ day to 1 day workshops in your school grounds that give practical, easy ideas to incorporate nature based learning to achieve the curriculum and wellbeing needs of your students.

Assemblies and presentations give a general overview of local wildlife and our work in Bedfordshire. If you have a specific need please do ask and we will accommodate where possible.

Duration: 1 hour

Short visits to our reserves can be arranged, led by our educational team, and each visit can be adapted to key stage requirements and all will foster a nurturing environment to help your students build self-esteem and improve their wellbeing.  Popular locations include Felmersham Gravel Pits (Bedford area), Blows Downs (Dunstable) and Bradgers Hill (Luton) and here our educational staff will show your students around the reserve and lead activities such as owl pellet dissection, mini-beast hunting, introductory Forest School skills, habitat enquiry and sensory walks. We are open to discuss your needs and will accommodate where possible.

These out-reach activities could also be delivered in school grounds, where travel is not possible, but would depend on what ‘natural’ areas exist within the grounds.

Contact us if you would like advice on how to make your school grounds more attractive to wildlife and more suitable for outdoor learning opportunities. In addition to advice we can offer leadership and equipment for volunteer days where staff, parents and other volunteers can help implement these improvements