You can book assemblies or virtual 'Zoom' sessions by emailing education@northyorkmoors.org.uk
Assemblies for primary schools
Assemblies are free for schools in and around the North York Moors National Park and can be delivered flexibly to fit the time you have available, between 15 and 30 minutes. Primary assemblies are designed for KS2 students but can also be enjoyed by those is KS1. Choose from the themes below:
| Habitats and Animals | Introducing a key habitats in the National Park. A selection of stuffed animals and birds are then matched to them and we learn about their lives. |
| Endangered Species | An introduction to endangered species, highlighting specific species within in the North York Moors and our efforts in trying to reverse their decline. |
| Animal Adaptations | We’ll recap the major habitats of the North York Moors National Park investigate the adaptations of the animals that live there. You’ll be sent some worksheets prior to the session for our 'body building' game. |
| Life cycles | Using images on a screen we introduce two of the National Park’s intrepid species. We discuss the life cycle of the salmon and its remarkable journey to feeding grounds in the Atlantic and its return to breed in the river Esk. |
| Fun Things to Do in the National Park | After a brief introduction to the National Park, where it is and what it is, we highlight fun things to do in the countryside using props and resources, focusing particularly on activities that don’t require much equipment or expense and that families can do easily. |
Assemblies for secondary schools
Our PowerPoint assemblies for secondary schools are suitable for all age groups and can be delivered flexibly between 10 and 30 minutes. Choose one of the following themes:
Making a contribution - Volunteering
- The location and purposes of UK National Parks
- The special qualities and attractions of the North York Moors National Park
- An explanation of the National Park’s Young Ranger scheme and how young people help to conserve and enhance this special place
Jobs and apprenticeships with the National Park Authority
- The location and purposes of UK National Parks
- Structure of the National Park Authority, the different departments and what they do
- Examples of jobs with academic requirements, salary ranges & quotes from people in post
- Apprenticeship schemes in the North York Moors National Park Authority - officially the best medium sized employer of apprentices in the Yorkshire and Humber region
Climate change - Moorlands as carbon stores
- The location and purposes of UK National Parks
- Moorland as an important ecosystem on a worldwide scale
- Moorland as a carbon store and its role in mitigating climate change
- Challenges for the future
- How you can help look after moorland
Virtual sessions
These 30 minute interactive sessions bring the North York Moors into your classrooms. They can be delivered to whole year groups or individual classes and are fully risk assessed and safeguarded. These are exclusive sessions with no other external audiences. Choose from one of the topics below.
| Habitats and animals | Introducing a key habitats in the National Park. A selection of stuffed animals and birds are then matched to them and we learn about their lives. |
| Classification and identification | Following a short introduction about classification and the animal kingdom we’ll play our ‘Battle of the Beasts’ quiz. Do you know your reptiles from your amphibians or your invertebrates from your fish. You’ll be sent some worksheets to photocopy prior to the session. |
| Animals and adaptations | We’ll recap the major habitats of the North York Moors National Park investigate the adaptations of the animals that live there. You’ll be sent some worksheets prior to the session for our 'body building' game. |
| Rivers from source to mouth | Investigate the river Esk and the Clitherbeck, one of its tributaries. We’ll take you on a journey from source to mouth looking at meanders, confluences, erosion and deposition along the way. |
| Rivers as a habitat | How are invertebrates adapted to survive in this turbulent habitat? We’ll explore relationships within food chains and some of the very special animals which call the river Esk their home. |
| A walk on the moors | A virtual guided walk through woodland and farmland, across streams and to the top of the moors with amazing views down the Esk valley. We can link the walk to an OS map so that we can compare symbols with features on the ground. |
| The seashore | How are the creatures we commonly find in rockpools adapted to live in this harsh environment? A selection of fossils is also shown and we finish by considering the impacts of littering on wildlife and people. |
| Endangered species | An introduction to endangered species, highlighting specific species within in the North York Moors and our efforts in trying to reverse their decline. |
| Problems and solutions | Issues caused by anti social behaviour in the National Park, including littering and wildfires. The Countryside Code is explained and solutions to the problems are sought from the children. |
| Fun things to do in the National Park | After a brief introduction to the National Park, where it is and what it is, we highlight fun things to do in the countryside using props and resources, focusing particularly on activities that don’t require much equipment or expense and that families can do easily. |