Activities for groups with special needs
The Education Service is keen to work with people with special needs and to establish links with school and community groups of all ages and abilities in and around the National Park.
Wherever possible we will adapt any of the activities listed for key stages 1,2 and 3 or develop new ideas to suit your needs. Activities can be provided at The Moors Centre and at Sutton Bank National Park Centre or it may be possible for our staff to visit your group. Contact Us to discuss your requirements.
The following activities have worked well with special needs groups recently and we are always keen to develop new ideas for helping people to enjoy and understand the National Park.
Fur and Feathers
Most people rarely get a close look at and may never touch a wild animal or bird, but we have a
collection of stuffed wild animals and birds which are an invaluable way of enabling people to feel closer to wildlife. We can explain how an animal lives, what it eats and how it is adapted to surviving in a particular habitat and people can touch the animal and observe it in close detail. Some sound effects are also used.
Main curriculum links:
- Science - adaptations, food chains, habitats
Every Child Matters: developing a sense of respect and care for wildlife and the environment, participation in inspiring learning opportunities, achieving through a range of learning styles.
Age Range: This tactile experience is suitable for any age group and the level of detail can be varied according to the abilities of the group members.
Duration: Length of session can be varied to suit the requirements of the group; it generally lasts up to an hour and is charged at the quarter day rate.
Art in the Park
This session, based at The Moors Centre, involves visiting a habitat in the grounds of the centre such as woodland or a small pond and then using the experience to inspire art work. Our Education Team includes artists can work with your group to create a mural, mobiles or sculptures which can either be displayed at The Moors Centre or taken away with you. Work can be individual or team based.
Main curriculum links:
- Art and design - using natural materials in art, developing ideas, creating an image.
Every Child Matters: Enhanced enjoyment through participating in inspiring activities, a sense of achievement in learning a new skill and producing an individual piece of work.
Age Range: This practical session works well with any age group from 7 year olds up to adults. Following discussions with group leaders our artists will select projects and techniques appropriate to the abilities of the group members.
Duration: This activity is charged at the full day rate to cover the cost of art materials and preparation. Session length can be varied depending on the project and the requirements of your group, but a minimum of four hours is generally required to produce satisfying masterpieces!
Woolly Weaving
An indoor, hands on, craft activity based on the theme of sheep in the North York Moors. The group watches as wool from a sheep's fleece is carded, spun on a traditional spinning wheel and then wound with a niddy noddy. Pupils can then have a go carding or using the niddy noddy and try out simple weaving techniques. Finished work can be taken away.
Main curriculum links:
- Art - learning about and trying a traditional craft technique.
- History - learning about how things were done by people living in the past.
Every Child Matters: Enhanced enjoyment through participating in inspiring activities, a sense of achievement in learning a new skill and producing an individual piece of work.
Age Range: This practical session works well with any age group from 7 year olds up to adults. Following discussions with group leaders we can vary the content to ensure that activities are appropriate to the abilities of the group members.
Duration: Quarter day (about an hour)
Derek's Day Out
This 'hands on' session includes a variety of fun activities which aim to demonstrate how to stay safe in the countryside. Activities include dressing up 'Derek' to keep him warm and dry, choosing what to pack in a rucksack from a large selection of objects, how to follow a route on a map and identify possible hazards along the way and how to call for help in an emergency.
Main curriculum links:
- Citizenship - recognising risks and behaving responsibly.
Every Child Matters: Staying safe - awareness of risks and how to minimise them, independence and self reliance.
Age range: This session is aimed at children between 5 and 11 years old and includes a variety of activities from which we can select according to a group's abilities and needs.
Duration: Quarter day (about an hour)
Facilities
The following facilities are available at our visitor centres. Please let us know about any special needs in advance so we can make sure everyone gets the most from their visit.
- Manual and electric wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge for use around the grounds.
- Hearing loops for the Information Desk and classrooms.
- Toilets accessible to people with wheelchairs.
In addition, the Moors National Park Centre has:
- Wheelchair accessible riverside trail and woodland trails.
- Platform lift to first floor with classroom, children's soft play area and indoor climbing wall.
