FSC Flatford Mill
Course Programme
School
Date
Tutor(s)
Workrooms
Number of students
: KS2 Environmental studies Yr 6
: Gt Waldingfield Primary School
: 7th-11th September 2015
: Charlotte Foster
: Ennion
: 18 + 2
Things that each student needs to bring:
Suitable outdoor clothing (including hat/cap)
Waterproofs (waterproof trousers if they have them)*
WELLINGTON BOOTS*
Sun cream
Toiletries
NO ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING MOBILE PHONES
Clip board (not essential) and folder
Pens, pencils & ruler
Lunch box & reusable drink bottle
MARIGOLD-STYLE WASHING-UP GLOVES for small mammals
Enough clothes for 5 days
Disposable camera
There is a shop on site. Children can bring up to £5, but will
be responsible for their own money for the duration of the
trip.
* These can be hired from the centre at £1.90 per item
Meal times: Breakfast 08.00 Make packed lunch 08.45 Evening meal 18.00
These timings may vary according to the number of visitors to the centre. Definite meal times will be confirmed on
arrival at the centre.
Course Programme
Monday 7th September
12.00
13.45
14.00
14.15
16.30
17.00
17.50
19.00
Arrival and welcome. Lunch on Home Field.
Fire alarm practice (please do not prepare students for this as it will be an unannounced drill
Classroom introduction
Disappearing Animals
Become an ‘Animal Tracker’ or ‘Poo Hunter’ and go off the beaten track to search for animal tracks and signs.
Discover the world of wildlife hidden within the landscape; warrens, burrows, nests and hollows all hide signs
of the animals that live there. Children will use all their senses to explore the busy world of wildlife that
crawls, flies, walks and hops throughout the countryside.
Mid-afternoon break
Small Mammal trapping
The pupils set out live traps to study the diversity and distribution of small mammals at Flatford. We will have
a close look at the animals and attempt to understand their survival requirements and activity patterns.
Evening meal
Evening Walk
Pupils will become acclimatised to the twilight world by utilising each of their senses. An opportunity to look
and listen for animal activity at night. There may be opportunities to use IT to detect bats at dusk, weather
dependent.
Tuesday 8th September
08.00
09.15
c 10.00
Breakfast and make packed lunches
Small Mammal Trapping
Re-visit the mammal traps to discover what we have caught. Children will be able to see mammals close up
and use evidence of key features to identify adaptations that help them survive.
Morning break
10.15
c 12.30
13.30
18.00
19.00
Maps and Geometry
How do people make maps? Become an explorer, find out and make your own map as you discover a new
landscape. Activities introducing the geometry of the Earth and basic mapping techniques will outline the
science of map making. Children will use IT and a range of different maps, to explore spatial dimensions,
angles, shapes and distances, while relating these concepts to the landscape surrounding them, for example
within relief, contours and scales. They construct 2D and 3D maps, to different scales and find out which
maps are most useful in different situations, as well as considering the history of map making.
Lunch
Compass Orienteering
Rely on your inner navigator to quickly and accurately find your way through a series of problems – mistakes
cost time! Using key orienteering skills to explore inspirational landscapes, children will navigate their teams
through challenges and problems. Developing map reading, orientation and compass abilities, they will gain
confidence in finding their way through unfamiliar terrain.
A short afternoon break will fit around the teams as they undertake and complete the challenge.
Evening meal
Orienteering Puzzles
Work with your buddy to find your way around and solve the brainteasers. Is it the fastest or the smartest
who wins? An action packed introduction to orienteering and maps. Children will complete a series of games
designed to progressively develop their spatial and kinaesthetic skills while in the natural environment.
or Green Artist
Get creative and design your own sculptures and artwork using natural materials, paints and clays. Great
environmental artists will be introduced to the children who will then have the opportunity to blend together
different artistic materials and media to create 2D and 3D outdoor nature art. Children will use the outdoor
environment as inspiration and resource to explore their relationship to the natural world.
Or Campfire?
A traditional evening of songs, riddles and hot chocolate round the fire in our purpose built campfire circle.
Children will learn new songs and share their own with others as we each take turns in entertaining the group.
Wednesday 9th September
08.00
09.15
10.30
c 12.30
13.30
16.30
18.00
19.00
Breakfast and make packed lunches
EcoAction
“UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” The Lorax Dr.
Seuss. Children will take part in exciting sensory games and activities to help build a bond with the natural
landscape. They will participate in some active conservation or habitat management, such as bird box
building or pond restoration. Children will consider human impacts on the environment and sustainability.
Morning break during activities
Lunch
Exploring Place
Why is the world the way it is? Find out why using IT and exploration of the landscape. Children will build their
spatial and location knowledge by creatively exploring the distinctive landscape and settlements surrounding
the centre. They will use innovative ways to answer their own geographical questions, such as: What makes
this place special? How is it connected to my place? Why is it like this? Locations explored will be around the
Dedham Vale AONB and the famous, Constable’s Haywain setting at Flatford Mill.
Afternoon break during activities
Evening meal
Stargazing
Look up and back in time to see the universe millions of years ago. Use telescopes to watch out for shooting
stars, satellites and see the moon really close-up. Children will discover the cosmic night sky away from the
busyness and brightness of normal life. Viewing the night sky without any light pollution, they will find out
more about the moon, stars and planets of the solar system. They will use a range of astronomical equipment
to explore the constellations and the myths and legends around the oldest features the solar system has to
offer.
Thursday 10th September
08.00
09.15
10.30
c 12.30
13.30
Breakfast and make packed lunches
Rivers and Streams
With your wellies on, jump into the stream and go looking for life that makes its home in the water and on the
banks. Can you find the fly that lives underwater in a sleeping bag made of stones? Using a variety of
engaging activities, children will discover the physical geography and river processes, which have formed this
distinctive habitat. Working scientifically to gather data children will ask questions to build a picture of the
river and the life that surrounds it. They will journey beside and within the watery world, discovering the
plants and animals that make rivers and streams their homes.
Morning break during activites
16.30
Lunch
Secret Ponds
Get wet and muddy, investigating the strange creatures that live in our ponds. Can you find the animal that
breathes through a snorkel? Or the insect that swims backwards? Delve into the unseen watery depths to
discover the life teeming beneath the surface. Children will explore pond margins for signs of life and
investigate the life support systems behind the abundance of pond invertebrates hidden from everyday view.
Afternoon break during activities
18.00
Evening meal
19.00
No activity chosen- Teacher led activities/ Play evening
Friday 11th September
Bedrooms need to be cleared and bags removed to storage area before breakfast
08.00
Breakfast and make packed lunches
09.15
10.30
12.00
Natures Numbers
Use your code breaking and detective skills to solve the mysteries of nature’s number puzzles. Children will
become maths detectives, discovering the numbers and patterns hidden in nature. They will take part in
mathematical games, finding patterns in snail shells, symmetry in leaves, angles in trees and fractions within
animal populations. This session will use the environment to inspire children, improving their mathematical
literacy and problem solving skills.
Morning break during activities
Tidy up and farewell
Lunch (can be taken on Home Field if desired from 12.00) and departure
FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL
Flatford Mill Field Centre
Charity Number 313364
Telephone 0845 330 7368
Fax
01206 298892
Email: enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org