Information for Teachers

We look forward to working with you and your class and providing field work experience to link with your classroom activities and the National Curriculum.

What you need to know before your visit

Transport

If your coach has been booked by the Centre, the size of the coach will be based on your class numbers, please let us know if this changes.

Coach pick up time will have been agreed, please ensure you are ready on time as the driver will have other jobs to go to following your return to school.

Your school should contact the coach company direct if you experience any problems in the morning. If they are held up they will contact your school.

N.B. Don’t forget the sick bags!

The pupils

• Clothing - whatever the weather, we will be outside for part of the day.

In winter, wellingtons and warm, waterproof clothing will ensure children’s comfort. Encourage them to wear lots of layers of clothing, plus gloves and hats. If they also bring a spare pair of old shoes/trainers they can change indoors if they get cold feet. They should understand that they may get dirty and that old clothes are best.

In summer, wellingtons are still necessary, as well as trainers, as ground conditions may still be muddy or grass wet. Bring hats and sun cream. Sunglasses help keep pollen out of the eyes of hay fever sufferers. Shorts are not always suitable,(biting insects and prickly plants!).

• Stationery – they will always need recording materials. Notebooks/loose paper/ pencils are best for fieldwork.

• Packed lunch –including a mid morning snack. Glass bottles are not suitable. We ask everyone to take their rubbish back with them.

• A plastic bag – is useful to sit on for work or eating outside.

• Pocket money – there are small items, pens/pencils/key rings etc. for sale if you feel it appropriate for children to brink some money.

Yourself

• Please make us aware of any medical conditions you have which may affect your participation on the day.

• Remember to bring an extra adult if booking a one Suntrap option with primary pupils

• You will need similar equipment to the children and probably twice as much food! We can supply you with unlimited amounts of tea and coffee for a small charge.

• We regard you as a member of the team and while a Suntrap teacher may take the lead on an activity, your knowledge of the children is vital if we are to get the best out of the day – please ‘join in’!

• The children are often grouped for activities and we will ask you to do this for us. We will also ask you to arrange the seating in the classroom in case ‘characters’ should not sit together! If you are using the ‘2 Suntrap teacher’ option, we will go out into the forest in 2 groups with you accompanying the group that requires most help, taking account of special needs related to ability and/or behaviour.

• We rely on you to call on the children’s past experience and to let us know if the work is being suitably ‘pitched’.

• Cameras (but not film) can be provided or you may wish to bring your own to record the day.