Essential information for groups booking activities
Please help us to ensure that your group has a really enjoyable and worthwhile visit to the Park by reading the following notes carefully. If you have any queries, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Tel: 01439 770657
education@northyorkmoors-npa.gov.uk
Health and safety
Activities are led by appropriately qualified and experienced Education Activity Leaders employed by the North York Moors National Park Authority. All leaders are experienced in managing groups both in the field and in the classroom, they are qualified in first aid and are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau. Walk leaders carry first aid kits, radios and other emergency equipment and undergo in-house training in emergency procedures. None of the activities offered by the Education Service falls within the scope of the Adventure Activities Licensing Scheme (AALS) 1996. Risk assessment reports for all activities are available to download here and the National Park Authority’s health and safety policy statement is available on request.
Conservation tasks are provided by experienced supervisors from the National Park Authority's Volunteer Service. All activities begin with instruction on safety and risk assessments are available on request.
Insurance
Your school or organisation must provide adequate insurance cover for the visit. The North York Moors National Park Authority has public liability insurance with Zurich Municipal; limit of indemnity £5 million.
Staff to Pupil Ratios
Groups should follow their own authority guidelines but provide at least one adult for every 10 pupils, making sure that the adults remain with the group at all times. One National Park leader will be provided for a maximum of 30 pupils except for the river habitat study where our ratio is 1:25. For conservation tasks group sizes are smaller and vary depending on the task and the age and ability of the pupils. It is essential that you keep us informed of any changes to your group size so that we can provide the correct number of staff on the day. Please note that if you arrive with more pupils than you booked for, we may be unable to provide sufficient leaders for your group and may have to alter your activity programme accordingly.
Responsibilities of Visiting Teachers and Group Leaders
Visiting teachers and group leaders are responsible for the behaviour and discipline of their pupils and should remain with and supervise the group at all times. The teacher or leader in charge should ensure that all adult helpers are aware of their roles. Your National Park Activity Leaders will lead the activities but will welcome contributions and involvement from visiting teachers and group leaders. Please pass on the following to all your adult helpers to ensure that all visitors enjoy their day out.
- Remain with and supervise the group at all times including during lunch.
- You are responsible for your pupils' behaviour and should ensure pupils behave appropriately throughout the activities.
- Ensure that any medication, such as asthma inhalers, is with the children or the right group leader at all times.
- Ensure your group members show courtesy to members of the public around you.
- Check for litter after your group has had lunch and take your litter home.
- Groups are welcome to visit the shops in our visitor centres in groups of up to 10 pupils accompanied by an adult.
Responsibilities of National Park Activity Leaders
The role of your National Park Activity Leader is to lead the activities you have booked and ensure that your group has a safe, high quality and enjoyable experience. Your Activity Leader will discuss the programme with you when you arrive, lead the activities as agreed with you in advance and provide all resources and equipment as required. Your Activity Leader will expect you to manage your group's behaviour at all times, but if necessary they may intervene directly to avoid any risk of injury, disturbance or damage to people or property.
What to Bring
All materials and equipment required for your activities are provided and included in the cost. Weather conditions in the North York Moors can change quickly and pupils intending to do outdoor activities should come prepared for poor weather at all times of year! If, in the opinion of your National Park Leader, pupils are inadequately equipped for an activity so as to cause a risk to their health and safety, then your Activity Leader will consult with you and either alter the activity accordingly, or request that the inadequately equipped pupils forfeit part or all of the activity and remain at the centre with an accompanying adult.
Essential clothing for outdoor activities:-
- Footwear – walking boots or wellies are ideal. Sturdy trainers with good grip and laced up properly are acceptable for short walks in dry conditions.
- A waterproof coat with a hood or a hat, gloves
- Warm clothing
- Plenty to drink on hot days and long sleeves, long trousers, a hat and suncream to prevent sunburn.
- A small rucksack to carry a packed lunch and drink on walks if required.
A limited supply of waterproofs and wellies is available for pupils to borrow free of charge from The Moors Centre but please note that supplies are limited and we cannot guarantee to provide this service to all groups. Please ensure that pupils bring their own whenever possible.
Arrival at The Moors Centre / Sutton Bank Centre
The start time on your booking form is the time we have scheduled your activities to begin. Please plan to arrive a little before this to allow for getting off the coach, toilets, etc. If you arrive late we may have to shorten your programme to avoid disrupting the programmes of other groups. If you are delayed it is helpful if you contact us to let us know (Tel: 01439 770657). On arrival at the centre please park in the free spaces allocated for coaches and proceed with your group to the main building. The person in charge of your group should register your arrival at the Information Desk. Your Activity Leader will meet you here and discuss your programme of activities. Toilets are located at the front of the main building and children’s bags can be stored in lockable cupboards, although note that space is limited and we cannot guarantee to provide this service to all groups.
Access and Special Needs
The Moors National Park Centre - All indoor public areas including exhibitions, gift shop, children's soft play area, tea room and toilets are wheelchair accessible.
Access to Classrooms - Note that only one of our two classrooms is easily wheelchair accessible so please tell us in advance if any members of your group will require easy access for indoor activities.
Activities in the grounds - take place in grassland and woodland environments and all areas are within 5 minutes walk of the visitor centre. Less mobile people and wheelchair users can usually participate in these activities but please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Sutton Bank National Park Centre is fully wheelchair accessible.
Electric wheelchair buggies are available free of charge for use in the grounds of both centres. Please book in advance if required.
Guided Walks - The activity descriptions state the total length of the walks and the terrain. If any of your group members may not be able to participate fully please contact us. It is usually possible to arrange for people with reduced mobility to particpate in some parts of the walk and / or to provide a suitable alternative activity.
Seashore Activities - To participate fully people need to be able to move around in a rocky shore environment. If this may be difficult for any of your group members please contact us. Less mobile people and wheelchair users may be able to participate in part of this activity but please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Hearing Loops are available in our classrooms - please request in advance if required.
Large print copies of worksheets and handouts can be provided - please request in advance if required.
Foreign Languages - We welcome groups of all nationalities and if groups can provide their own translators we can deliver successful presentations and guided walks for foreign groups. A free leaflet about the National Park is available in French, German and Dutch.
Seasonal Facilities
Please note that at our visitor centres, the tearoom and shop may not always be open on weekdays between November and March.
Your Comments
We are keen to receive your comments and suggestions to help us evaluate our service. We will send you an evaluation form in advance of your visit. After your visit or activity please complete this form and return it to help us improve our service. Thankyou
