It’s a Plant’s Life

From seeds to shoots and leaves to fruits, study the life cycle of plants through handling, dissecting and observing. Making full use of our gardens, meadow, vegetable beds and trees, this workshop varies according to the season, highlighting seasonal change and growing conditions.

Curriculum Links:

Science: Identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants. Explore the requirements of plants for life and growth. Explore the part that flowers play in the life cycle of flowering plants.

River Studies

Visit the river in Selborne to calculate the velocity of water, plot the cross section of a stream and explore the invertebrate life in the river. Walk up the hanger to see the river valley in the wider landscape and create a map of a river system using natural materials.

Curriculum Links:

Geography: Use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present physical features, describe and understand key aspects of physical geography

Habitat Explorers

Explore our grounds to find out why creatures live where they do, how they are adapted to live there, what they eat and who eats them? Explore a range of different habitats and use scientific equipment to investigate the creatures you discover.

National Curriculum Links:

Science: Use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things. Recognise that environments can change and that this can pose dangers to living things. Describe the differences in the life cycles of a mammal, an amphibian, an insect and a bird. Construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey.

Mighty Mapping

Find out how to read a map, identify map symbols and use grid references before creating a sketch map using simple symbols. Learn how to take compass bearings and follow an orienteering trail around our 25-acre parkland and gardens.

Curriculum links:

Geography: Use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and keys.

Please contact us for further details and to book.

Early Years Foundation Stage

All our EYFS workshops are designed with reference to the Characteristics of Effective Learning: Playing and Exploring, Active Learning and Creating and Thinking Critically.

Go Wild

An active day investigating plants and creatures in the gardens and meadow. Learning is through games, exploration and sensory experience. Activities change according to the seasons, but we will be outside whatever the weather!

Go Slow with Timothy Tortoise

Inspired by Timothy, Gilbert White’s tortoise, travel through the gardens and meadow getting a tortoise eye view of the world. Experience nature differently, through sound, touch, scents, taste and new ways of looking. Hear stories of Timothy’s real-life adventures in this very garden!

World Explorers

Journey from Antarctica, through Central America to Africa without leaving the museum! Meet amazing creatures from around the world from penguins to parrots, before going on an expedition into the meadow to make some discoveries of your own.

Natural Art

Create your own art using natural materials. This workshop changes seasonally but always involves creating artwork from the things we find in our beautiful gardens and parkland, looking at colour, texture, shape and line.

Secondary and Post 16

We can provide study days to meet the needs of the group by using a variety of activities to support the geography, biology, science and history curriculums. Students will be able to use scientific equipment to investigate key questions, collect data and analyse results.

Study Day topics include:

• River Studies
• Ecosystems and biodiversity
• Variation
• Plant life
• Map work and orienteering

Please get in contact to discuss your requirements.

Youth & Community Groups

Bring your group to The Field Studies Centre to work on your Naturalist or Wildlife Explorer badges or just to enjoy exploring our meadow and gardens.

Activities can include:

• Mini beasts hunting and identification
• Trees Trail
• Nature Alphabet trail
• Stream study
• Nature themed outdoor games
• Bird watching
• Orienteering

Booking Information:

The Gilbert White Field Studies Centre Office is open Monday – Friday all year, please telephone 01420 511 517 or email us at fsc@gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk

Session Costs:

• State Schools Primary (30 or less Pupils) £300
• Additional Pupils £10.00

• State Schools Secondary (30 or less pupils) £330
• Additional Pupils £11.00

• Independent Schools Primary £345 (30 Pupils or less
• Additional Pupils £11.50

• Independent Schools Secondary (30 Pupils or less) £360
• Additional Pupils £12.00

[River Studies: please note a £15 supplement per class is now charged for this workshop in addition to the costs outlined above. This is to cover the charge that the National Trust are now making for the use of their land for this workshop.]

Ratios:

To ensure the smooth running of your day we require the following ratios of adults to children: 1:6 for EYFS, 1:8 for KS1 & 2 and 1:10 for KS3 and above. We reserve the right not to run a workshop if the ratio on the day is not correct.

Cancellations:

We presently hold bookings in good faith and invoice schools following the event. However, on occasions schools have requested dates well in advance and then cancelled at very short notice. This prevents other schools from enjoying a visit and can result in a financial loss to the FSC. We therefore reserve the right to charge all schools who have returned a completed booking form a cancellation fee according to the scale below.

• For bookings that are cancelled more than 8 weeks prior to the planned visit date £50 administration fee.
• For bookings that are cancelled less than 8 weeks prior to the planned visit date 100% of the fees due will apply.

Pre visits:

We consider a pre-visit to be essential. This enables group leaders to familiarise themselves with the site and the location of all planned activities, whilst also providing an opportunity to discuss specific learning objectives, any special requirements and health and safety considerations.

Pre-visits are free and can be booked by email: fsc@gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk or phone on 01420 511 517

Where will we eat our lunches?

Depending on the location of your session, there is space in both The Field Studies Centre and Gilbert White’s House to eat packed lunches. As part of our environmental ethos, we encourage schools to challenge their children to bring a ‘zero waste’ lunch. We provide recycling facilities but ask that you take any rubbish back with you.

What do we need to bring?

Please ensure that each pupil brings with them:

• Wellington Boots
• Waterproof Coat
• Warm clothing
• Additional dry clothes if weather is inclement – we still go outside even if it’s raining!
• Packed Lunch
• Additional drink

Transport:

We have a car park adjacent to the Field Studies Centre for coaches and minibuses.

The South Downs National Park runs a Travel Grant Scheme for eligible schools to visit providers such as The Gilbert White Field Studies Centre. Please contact us for more information.

Our workshops are designed to be accessible to a wide range of learners- our activities are hands on and multi-sensory.

In addition, we have resources available for children who may need additional support to get the most from their visit:

• SEND bags with a range of sensory resources linked to the themes of our museum.
• A 3D map of the site for visually impaired children.
• A Mountain Trek off road trike for children with physical disabilities.
• A mini website with an interactive tour of the upstairs galleries for children unable to access these areas.

Currently being developed:

• A PECS timetable with images linking to our site and activities.
• An easy-to-use floorplan of the museum.

Please contact us for more information about any of these resources or if you have any questions regarding accessibility.

fsc@gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk