Folly Farm is a residential environmental learning centre in the heart of Avon Wildlife Trust’s stunning 250-acre nature reserve. An exciting and diverse programme of courses, set in an inspiring location, supports curriculum learning whilst engaging students with their natural environment.
The Avon Wildlife Trust has over 25 years of experience of providing high quality environmental education programmes that support the national curriculum. We are now delighted to include a programme of residential courses, as well as our popular day education visits, at the newly restored Folly Farm Centre. Surrounded by a nature reserve full of wildlife it is an inspirational place to develop new skills and learn and engage through an exciting and diverse range of courses.
Primary school learners explore the different habitats in the nature reserve from the wildlife in the woodlands to investigating what creatures that lurk beneath the water in the pond. Students explore these habitats hands on to understand about adaptations, food chains and survival. Residential visits offer a new way to learn through badger watching, survival skills and bushcraft as well a chance to become the next wildlife TV presenter using our video equipment. Residential courses can also include adventurous activities in the local area including caving and rock climbing.
Secondary programmes bring geography and science to life by investigating and understanding ecological relationships and the power of the natural world. By undertaking practical ecological fieldwork, using appropriate technical equipment, these programmes directly support subject learning for the different exam boards, helping to prepare students for exams and supporting coursework requirements. Programmes also include team building and survival skills, supporting pupil's personal development.
Our commitment to out-of-classroom learning with experienced and enthusiastic teaching staff ensures a memorable visit for all. Our staff have in-depth local knowledge of the nature reserve, are CRB checked and first aid qualified, providing a safe and stimulating environment for all activities.
A residential stay at Folly Farm Centre offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the wildlife of the nature reserve at night.. Enjoy a memorable stay with high quality, comfortable facilities whilst building on student's learning, personal skills and class cohesion.
Please visit our website for more information about our courses, an virtual tour of the centre and free resources www.wildschools.org.uk
Brilliant, as always; a thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all!
West Leigh Infant School Year 2 day visit -
A very organised and professionally run day.
Bristol Grammar School day visit -
A truly inspirational day, we loved it.
Chew Magna Primary School Teachers inset training -
Tutors were fantastic - clear, interesting, flexible and had a great manner with the students.
Clifton High School Year 13 day visit -
The quality of teaching was outstanding; the organisation of the residential aspects was faultless. Fab, the best trip I have been on in 20 years of teaching.
Fairfield School year 4 residential -
Thank you for a lovely and highly valuable experience.
Marksbury Primary Year 4 residential -
A brilliant stay and fantastic for students learning.
Royal High School Year 8 residential -
Thanks from adults and childern alike for a truly wonderful experience - the best!
Arnold Lodge Year 5 residential -
Birds in Spring
16 Feb 2012 to 31 May 2012
Years 1 & 2 - Day visit - £8 per student
Spring is a busy time for birds and children will discover why birds are important, what baby birds need to survive and how we can help them thrive. Find your bird mate, make a nest together and play games to collect enough food to feed your family and prepare your chicks to fly the nest.
Children learn how to attract as many birds as possible into your school grounds by taking home the woven willow bird feeders they have made.
Wildlife Presenters Residential
16 Feb 2012 to 28 Feb 2013
Key Stage 2 - 3 days and 2 nights
From £115 per student; including all food, accommodation and tuition.
Explore the fantastic wildlife lurking beneath the water in the pond and learn the skill in taking a great photograph for telling a story. Develop your story as part of a film crew to make your own wildlife blockbuster discovering the beauty of the meadows. Venture into a woodland at night to find badgers, bats and barn owls and learn traditional skills to enable you to survive in the great outdoors.
Avon Wildlife Trust at Folly Farm Centre
Housed in sensitively converted historic farm buildings at the heart of a beautiful 250-acre nature reserve, Folly Farm is a centre of excellence for education in the very broadest sense of the word. The…
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