Countryside Classroom Days

The opportunity for schools to visit country estates and for the children to find out more about the teams of people who take care of the environment and tend the estate land.

We are lucky enough to be able to offer days at historic and beautiful rural estates all over the country.

We call these our Countryside Classroom Days. These days typically have six different activities and classes will be invited from six different schools. The children will rotate around the activities in their class groups. Sometimes the days are very much about the Estate and activities may be run by the Estate staff. We advise the Estates on curriculum links and ensure that activities are safe and appropriate.

In these cases the activities may be -

  • Gardens

  • Forestry

  • Game Keeping

  • Farming

  • Joinery

  • Horses

  • Deer

Sometimes we use the Estates as a backdrop and location for our days and we partner with organisations who assist us to put on more general countryside days, activities may include -

  • Food chains

  • Adaptations- creating the ultimate predator

  • Countryside Code

  • Dogs and dog care

  • Tree ID

  • Countryside crafts

These days take place throughout the year at various venues.

A group of children and dogs in the sunshine
Children looking at pond creatures
Child pretending to milk a cow
children with a tractor
Children looking at a lamb
Children under a tree
“Yesterday’s visit was beneficial to our pupils in so many ways and they excitedly recounted their experiences on the coach on the way back home and again this morning when they came in.

Every activity offered a different and unique learning opportunity, the timing of each was perfect.

The instructors that delivered the sessions were both knowledgeable about their area and engaging. They have helped the children gain an understanding of how important it is to look after their environment, what they need to do to respect nature, how different animals impact on ecology and how to take notice of the world around them. The activities have helped children develop a greater empathy for animals and plants, communication and team-working skills, problem-solving skills and allowed them to build on both gross and fine motor skills.

Our Year 4 cohort also has a high percentage of SEN and EAL, but this experience was accessible and inclusive to all pupils. ”
— Class Teacher, Abbystead C.C. Day

Upcoming Dates

We are grateful to the The CLA Charitable Trust for their generous grant that will go towards our Countryside Classroom Programme.