Book a group visit for Key Stage 2 pupils
Please use the curriculum menu to see an overview of our activities for Key Stage 2 pupils.
Most of the activities are based at Danby Lodge National Park Centre (you can visit our Outdoor Learning page for more information on this venue), but there are also visits to locations including Sutton Bank National Park Centre, Robin Hood's Bay, Goathland and Grosmont. All are led by experienced leaders from the National Park Outdoor Learning Team.
Activities last from an hour up to a full day, and you can mix and match activities in a way that works for your school. The maximum capacity is usually 60 children depending on the children's age, the number of accompanying adults and the choice of visit.
If you can't see anything suitable here, we're happy to adapt activities whenever possible to link to your objectives or to cater for any special needs of your children.
For detailed information on any of the activities below, including key learning objectives, outcomes and opportunities to extend the learning, please email outdoorleaning@northyorkmoors.org.uk
Walks
| Activity | Location | Age range | Duration | Main curriculum links | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moorland walk | Danby Lodge | Ages 7-11 | Standard route 90 minutes to 2 hours Extended route up to 3 hours | Geography, Science | A circular walk with spectacular views of the Esk Valley. Children are divided into small groups, each with a map and a bag containing mystery objects relating to numbered points on the map. Children take it in turns to lead and use their mystery objects as prompts to tell the rest of the class something about the landscape and how it is used. |
| Robin Hood's Bay circular | Robin Hood's Bay | Ages 7-11 | 2 hours | Geography, Science, Art and Design | This 2km circular walk forms part of our seashore habitat discovery day (see science activities below). Children are provided with maps and take turns leading part of the walk, which gives spectacular views of the Heritage Coast. Activities are undertaken along the route relating to fossils, sea defences and coastal erosion, local folklore, land use and natural art. Please note there are no indoor facilities available but there are public toilets at the start and finish. |
| Sutton Bank loop to the White Horse | Sutton Bank | Ages 9-11 | 4 hours including picnic lunch | Geography, Science, English | A spectacular, circular walk to the famous White Horse of Kilburn. Children are divided into small groups and each group is provided with maps and a bag containing mystery objects relating to points of interest along the route. Children take it in turns to lead and use the mystery objects as prompts to tell the rest of the class about the landscape and how it has been shaped by geology, ice and by people. |
Science: Living things and their habitats
| Activity | Location | Age range | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moorland discovery day | Danby Lodge | Ages 7-11 | 10am - 2.30pm including lunch (flexible) | A circular walk of 2.5km up to the moorland with spectacular views of the Esk Valley. Children work in groups and each group is provided with a map and a bag containing mystery objects relating to numbered points on the map. A bird adaptations activity uses a giant identification key to help children discover how moorland birds are adapted to their habitat. Finally the children make their own moorland bird masks to take back to school. |
| Woodland discovery day | Danby Lodge | Ages 7-11 | 10am - 2pm including lunch (flexible) | Children learn about what plants need to grow. They will also identify and measure trees and calculate their ages, find and identify mini-beasts, build bug hotels, identify woodland birds and learn how animals are adapted to their environment. They will learn why and how animals use camouflage and concealment, making their own dens to shelter in. |
| River discovery day | Danby Lodge | Ages 7-11 | Full day, 10am - 2.30pm including lunch (flexible) | Children observe river features and measure and record data including width and depth of the channel, time taken for objects to float a measured distance and size and shape of material on the river bed. Children also collect and identify freshwater invertebrates using nets and a key and use their results to indicate water quality. Adaptations of invertebrates are explored by using props to transform a volunteer into a freshwater invertebrate! The indoor session expands on the adaptation theme with a ‘match the adaptation to the animal’ activity. In small groups children then design an alien invertebrate adapted for a freshwater habitat to take back to school. |
| Seashore activities | Robin Hood's Bay | Ages 7-11 | A full day of activities lasting around 4 hours | Seashore habitat study - 90 minute exploration of the coastal environment Robin Hood's Bay walk - Around 2 hours, see Walks table above |
| River investigation | Danby Lodge | Ages 8-11 | 2.5 hours | Children observe river features and measure and record data including width and depth of the channel, time taken for objects to float a measured distance, and size and shape of material on the river bed. Children also collect and identify freshwater invertebrates using a key and use them to indicate water quality. |
| Classifying and identifying animals | Danby Lodge (or in your local school) | Ages 8-11 | 90 minutes | This indoor activity demonstrates the concepts of classification, variation and adaptation. The session is fun and highly interactive with children working in teams and participating in ‘Battle of the Beasts’, ‘Body Building’ and using a gigantic key to identify moorland birds. |
Geography
| Activity | Location | Age range | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River investigation | Danby Lodge | Ages 8-11 | 2.5 hours | Children observe river features and measure and record data including width and depth of the channel, time taken for objects to float a measured distance, and size and shape of material on the river bed. Children also collect and identify freshwater invertebrates using a key and use them to indicate water quality. |
| Map skills | Danby Lodge | Ages 7-11 | 90 minutes | Beginning indoors children use maps and aerial photographs to identify and compare features on the map and the photograph, use symbols, keys and grid references. Outdoors, children learn how to use the map to navigate from point to point and then work in small teams to do the ‘otter orienteering trail’. |
| Compass skills | Danby Lodge | Ages 7-11 | 60 minutes | Children learn the eight points of the compass and how to use a compass to walk on bearings. |
| Geocaching | Danby Lodge | Ages 9-11 | 2 hours | Children use maps and handheld GPS units to locate hidden geocaches. The geocaches contain questions and puzzles relating to the moorland environment. This is followed by a short indoor plenary including information about geocaching and if possible a look at geocaches located around your school. |
| Danby settlement study | Danby Lodge | Ages 7-11 | 2.5 hours | Children study a hypothetical scenario of how the village hall could be used to generate extra income. Using a base map, children carry out a survey of existing services in Danby, discuss the views of people that use the village and consider planning policies before making their decision. |
History
| Activity | Location | Age range | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Age day | Danby Lodge | Ages 7-11 | Full day, 10am-2.30pm | This outdoor activity day was designed for years 5 & 6 and based on the book ‘Wolf Brother’ by Michelle Paver. However it can also be adapted for years 3 & 4 and linked to ‘Stone Age Boy’ by Satashi Kitamura. It works well if children have read all or part of the story in advance but it’s not essential to link the activity to one of these books. |
Current costs per pupil: Primary (and early years) prices
A morning (10am-12pm) or afternoon (1pm-3pm) session: £4.50 (Min. per group £67.50)
A 'short day' with an hour for lunch (typically 10am to 2.30pm): £6 (Min. per group £90)
An 'extended' day (anything longer than a 'short day', up to 9am to 4.30pm): £7 (Min. per group £105)
How to book
- Read the activity descriptions above and call us if you would like to discuss any of the activities in more detail. Unless you request otherwise, we will provide activities as described.
- Read the pre-visit information for group leaders.
- Check the costs and read the 'Booking Terms and Conditions' below.
- Make a list of any preferred dates for your visit.
- To make a provisional booking, ring the National Park Outdoor Learning Team (tel: 01439 772751). No deposit is required, or email us on outdoorlearning@northyorkmoors.org.uk
- We will then send you a booking form to complete and return to us.
- Your booking will be confirmed in writing within 10 working days of us receiving your booking form.
- An invoice for the total cost will be sent to you immediately after your visit. Please do not bring cheques or cash on the day.
Booking terms and conditions
- Your booking will be confirmed by letter or email within 10 days after the Outdoor Learning Team has received your Booking Form.
- No payment is required before your visit or on the day. An invoice will be sent to you immediately after your visit. Full payment is required within 30 days. Cheques payable to: North York Moors National Park Authority.
- Group leaders must inform the Outdoor Learning Team of any changes to party size after the booking is confirmed. If a group arrives with extra pupils, not having informed the Outdoor Learning Team in advance, the extra pupils may not be permitted to participate in booked activities if, in the opinion of the Head of Outdoor Learning, there are insufficient National Park Leaders available to carry out the activity safely and successfully.
- Booked activities may be altered or cancelled on the day if, in the opinion of the Head of Outdoor Learning, there are potential risks to health and safety due to bad weather, late arrival of groups, inadequately equipped pupils or poorly behaved pupils. In such an event,
- National Park Leaders will consult with the visiting leader and provide an adapted or alternative activity wherever possible.
- In the event of a group cancelling their visit within 20 to 11 working days of that visit, the group will be required to pay half the cost of the activities.
- In the event of a group cancelling their visit within 10 working days of that visit, the group will be required to pay the full cost of the activities.