Arranging a Visit
First phone, email or fax Gary Cliffe, the head of the Centre, to obtain an available date/s. Please plan well in advance, particularly for the most popular periods.
To obtain a booking form either download a copy from the web site or request a copy to be faxed to your school. Complete and submit the form, preferably online or fax/post a copy to the Centre, keeping an original for future use. Your information helps the head of the Centre to note specific requirements in preparation for your visit and it confirms the original telephone conversation.
The Centre normally caters for one class per visit for most activities. However, one and a half or two classes may attend depending on the topic chosen and safety considerations. It is important to realise though, that larger numbers may influence the educational value of the day.
A pre visit to the Centre, particularly for staff who have never been before is advised and is essential for occasional sessions when a class may be left on site while the head of Centre is leading another group elsewhere.
The Centre has negotiated reduced hire charges for visiting classes. The following companies may be able to offer a discount depending on locality of school in relation to their secondary pupil pick ups and time of hire:
- New Enterprise - Chris Lawrence Tel: 01732 350509
Kent Passenger Services (In-house) - Christina O`Sullivan Tel: 01622 605935
Arrival at the Centre
Safety
On arrival, teachers will be asked to produce a list of pupils and adult helpers attending for the day. A photocopy of the class register, (minus private data) including adult helpers is sufficient. Although the Centre head possesses a first aid qualification, it is advisable to nominate your own first aider as an additional safeguard to accompany the pupils. The success of the day, in addition to other factors, depends heavily on safety considerations. Teachers are asked to read the 'Centre Safety Statement' and general Risk Assessment before the visit, and pass on important details to their pupils and group leaders.
As indicated on the statement, teachers should also refer to KCC guidelines issued to schools entitled 'Regulations and Guidance for Safe Practice of Offsite Activities'. Other LEAs and independent schools should follow their own procedures based on the booklet 'Health and Safety of Pupils On Educational Visits', published by the DCSF. It is important to note that while the head of Centre is a qualified teacher and will lead and advise on the programme of activities, class teachers are ultimately responsible for the discipline of their pupils on or off-site for the duration of the visit.
Plan of the Day
Following the organisation of coats, footwear and lunch boxes, the head of the Centre will outline plans for the day, including safety procedures. This will usually involve the walk first, if appropriate, before follow-up activities after lunch. The arrangements may be altered if necessary, to take advantage of weather conditions on the day.
The Walk
Although the Centre has worksheets for off-site use, depending on the activity and the age of the children considered, it is often felt that younger pupils lose some of the spontaneity of the occasion if they concentrate too intensely on closed-ended tasks. In this context, children may gain more by observing and listening rather than writing! Upper juniors and older pupils often benefit, however, by writing brief notes and sketching to record experiences in open-ended format. The Centre has a supply of clipboards, pencils, plain and lined paper for these occasions, though teachers often prefer to bring their own equipment.
Lunch
The group will usually arrive back at the Centre between 12.00pm and 12.30pm. Pupils are able to use the two classroom facilities to eat their packed lunches. During Spring and Summer months, there may be opportunities to use the garden and raised patio areas. Teachers are requested to inform the pupils of safety considerations outlined in the 'Centre Safety Statement', particularly regarding playground safety.
Follow-up Activities
After lunch there are a range of follow-up possibilities that the head of the Centre will offer in agreement with the teacher, depending on the time available, nature of the day's theme and the age of the pupils etc. Most classes leave around 2.30pm in order to return to school for the end of the day.
Fees
Kent LA and Foundation primary and secondary schools are £6.00 per pupil (minimum £180 per class). Discount applies November - February when fees are £4.00 per pupil (minimum £120 per class). Fees for non-Kent LA and Independent schools are available on request.
Cancellation Policy
Centre places are in high demand. Places which are cancelled need to be offered to other schools as soon as possible.
If schools give more than three weeks notice of cancellation, there will be no charge, as this should allow enough time for another school to take up the cancellation.
If schools give less than three working weeks but more than one working week's notice, a half day will be charged.
For cancellations of less than a full working week in advance of the visit which has been booked, the full cost of the day will be charged.
In certain exceptional circumstances, for example, severe weather conditions or sudden sickness of staff, schools should speak to the head of the Centre directly. At present the above conditions are under review.