Visiting the Countryside - Made Easy!
FAQs

 
1. Why visit the countryside?
2. Where can I go?
3. What can I achieve by taking my class out?
4. What about Health & Safety, e coli, salmonella ......
5. When is the best time to go?
6. Where else can I get some information?

 

1. Why visit the Countryside?

Because it is relevant to all our lives, it is stimulating and it is FUN! See number 3 below.

2. Where can I go?

There is a whole range of establishments that you can take your class out to in Hampshire.

Just go to the directory on this site and you will find a soon to be comprehensive list! (If you know of any others let us know too!) Entries in the directory range from environmental study centres to parks with education centres, from open farms through to farmers who are happy to take a couple of school visits a year.

You will also find a map which you can use to find locations for your visits.

There is also an events calendar, which lists specific events throughout the year.

3. What can I achieve?

Visits to the countryside are fun and educational. There is so much of the National Curriculum that can be met, either during the visit itself or through follow up work after the visit has taken place.

Here are a few ways in which you can justify your visit through the National Curriculum. There are also some suggested topics and how to deliver them outside - this is not meant to be comprehensive - just a few ideas. If you have any other suggestions post them in our mail box and we will add them to the list.

English

English 1 speaking and listening: describing events and experiences, speaking and listening to different people/adults, group discussion and interaction.

English 2 reading: using non fiction and non literary texts.

English 3 writing: communicating to others, organising and explaining information.

Literacy Hour:

- recounting of events, activities and visits.

- persuasive writing, argue a point of view, write letters to persuade, protest, support or criticise.

- make observational records, explanations and use of instructional texts.

- biography, diary, journal, anecdotes and journalistic writing.

- interview people in their workplace.

-write a diary called "A day in the life of Farmer Giles" and "A day in the life of Daisy the cow".

- present an argument for organic farming.

- write a letter of thanks following a visit.

Maths

Maths 2 number: using and applying numbers, calculations, mental and written maths, use of calculators, money calculations, problem solving and estimation of answers.

Maths 4 handling data:

- estimate the number of bales in a barn.

- calculate how much milk a cow produces and how much that is worth to the farmer.

- compare prices - wholesale and retail.

- set up a farm shop.

- compare food prices - discount, branded products and organic range.

- calculate how much land is needed to grow enough wheat to make a loaf of bread.

- estimate animal weights and compare growth rates.

- cost out a vegetable patch or a herb garden - start a new enterprise!

- set up a weather station, monitor the weather.

- record data when bug hunting.

Science

Science 2 life, processes and living things:

- how animals move, feed, grow, use their senses and reproduce.

- relate life processes to animals and plants found in the local environment.

- how to treat animals with care and sensitivity.

- what green plants need to grow, recognise parts of plants and their functions and that seeds grow into flowering plants.

- variation and classification, group living things according to observable similarities and differences.

- make and use keys.

- identify and group locally occurring plants and animals.

- adaptation.

- food chains.

Science 3 materials and their properties: recognise and name common types of materials and why they are chosen for their jobs.

Science 4 forces and motion: pushes and pulls.

Breadth of study:

Science should be taught through:

- a range of domestic and environmental contexts.

- looking at the part science has played in the development of many useful things.

- using first hand and secondary data to carry out a range of scientific investigations.

- identifying national and local breeds of farm animals.

- identifying national and local agricultural and horticultural crops.

- identifying national a local trees and hedgerow plants.

- what do crops, trees and animals need to live and grow?

- measuring growth rates (see maths).

- monitoring pollution in a stream and using indicator species.

- bug hunting and pond dipping - classification in action.

- buildings, ancient and modern, their materials and their uses.

- farm machinery, identifying tasks, design for purpose - pushing/pulling and driving.

Geography

Breadth of study:

Study of 2 localities and 3 themes:

- locality in the UK.

- water, including the physical features of a river.

- how settlements differ and change.

- changing environments and sustainable management.

Pupils should:

- study at a range of scales.

- study a range of places.

- carry out field work investigations.

-map use and orienteering.

- environmental change - a Farm Case Study:

- management in the past - a time line.

- management in the present - fill in a farm map - land use.

- management in the future - convert the farm to GM or organic

River study/survey

Recycling on the farm - water/manure

4. What about Health & Safety?


Please see Hampshire's document, "Offsite activities and educational visits: regulations and guidance"

The Health and Safety Executive has produced definitive guidelines for taking school children out into the countryside and onto farms. Their website address is www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/agindex.htm
Another useful address is the NFU site: www.nfu.org.uk this site gives help and advice when taking children out as well as farming information. Essentially the health risks are very small as long as common sense procedures take place:

- listen carefully to any safety instructions given.
- always wash hands thoroughly before eating.
- eat only in designated areas.
- clean footwear and hands before leaving.
- do not taste animal food.

A more comprehensive list is given in the HSE information sheet:
Avoiding ill health at open farms - advice to teachers.

5. When can I go?

Essentially any time during term time! However check opening times and availability of individuals in the directory.

Most teachers take their classes outside in the spring and summer terms as the weather can be more predictable. However, this does mean that popular venues can be booked up very quickly.

Realistically take the children out when you are dealing with a relevant topic, such as the environment. If this is in the autumn term, take them then - just make some allowances for weather: i.e. go for half a day, check for wet weather provisions etc.

Children don't dissolve and there have been many stimulating and exciting visits during December!

6. Where else can I get some information?

Further information can be found on our links page

The Food, Farming & Countryside Directory of Learning Resources:
02476858261