Rachel Shaw
Whisby Education Centre
Education Centre at Whisby Nature Park
Whisby Education Centre lies just outside Lincoln, surrounded by 370 acres of nature reserve. It has been carefully designed to balance countryside recreation, nature conservation and environmental education.
With regular events planned for all ages it presents unique opportunities to experience and learn about the natural world first hand.
Educational opportunities
Helena Dolby for Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust
For schools
Education services for schools
The education service offered by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust at Whisby Nature Park has a wide range of activities from pond dipping and minibeast hunts to orienteering and storytelling. All activities offered can be linked to the National Curriculum to meet your education requirements.
The centre can cater for students from the age of 5 upwards and offers a true outdoor learning experience.
All our Education Centre staff are fully qualified, DBS checked and have many years of experience in teaching and leading environmental education, nature conservation and outdoor recreation.
Facilities
The Education Centre offers:
- A large classroom capable of facilitating around 60 children at one time, complete with hanging racks for bags and gear.
- A large meeting room capable of seating around 100 people, complete with Wi-Fi, chairs, tables and presentation technology.
- Ample toilet facilities, including an accessible toilet.
- Self-enclosed education grounds for use in all education activities.
- Provision for Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Further Education.
The reserve
Whisby Nature Park was previously used as a sand and gravel quarry, but after extensive conservation work it now consists of scenic lakes surrounded by grassland, marsh and scrub; a diverse habitat that attracts a wide variety of birds and wildlife.
For more information on the reserve and it's wildlife, visit the reserves page.
Planning your visit
Your visit includes:
- Free site tour and planning visit for the group leader
- Relevant risk assessments and health and safety information
- Free all day coach parking (there is a £2 charge for cars)
- A full day running from 10am until 2.30pm
All health and safety equipment will also be provided and tailored to your activities and needs.
Activities
Your day usually consist of three activities for your class (this varies depending on choice of activity, curriculum targets etc. and can be discussed upon booking).
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* Group size dependent
Group rates
At Whisby Education Centre we can cater for up to two groups (max 35 per group) at any one time. Each group will benefit from their own dedicated Education Officer who will lead all your pre-booked activities.
Each group of up to 35 primary school students is £200 for the day. Groups of up to 35 secondary school students are £250 for the day.
To check availability, to book or enquire about your visit to Whisby Education Centre please contact the Education Officers using the contact details below.
Contact details
If you are interested in bringing a school group please contact:
Whisby Education Centre
Whisby Nature Park
Moor Lane
Thorpe-on-the-Hill
Lincoln
LN6 9BW
Tel: 01522 696926
Email: whisbyeducation@lincstrust.co.uk
Misty Hutton
For families
Educational activities for families
Explore your surroundings and get closer to the wildlife you share it with! There's something for all ages at Whisby.
Take a look at our clubs and events for children below, or give our Facebook page a follow for the latest news and events.
Nature Tots
Seasonal activities for the under 5s
Monthly outdoor activities designed to educate, entertain and inspire your under 5s about nature. Each session follows a given theme and can include crafts, songs, story time and additional activities, ranging from wild art to minibeast safaris, and puddle jumps to scavenger hunts. Nature Tots is always great fun!
Sessions will take place outside, so please dress appropriately for the weather. Your Tot will need to be accompanied by an adult at all times. Booking essential.
Find out more information on our Nature Clubs page here.
Wildlife Watch
Nature club for 5 to 11 year olds
Wildlife Watch sessions include a wide range of activities and topics to engage your 5-11 year old’s with the natural world. Whether its insects, birds, bushcraft or folklore, each month’s sessions are built on an ever-growing array of topics. Come on down to explore nature with us!
Sessions will take place outside, so please dress appropriately for the weather. Wildlife Watchers will need to be accompanied by an adult at all times. Booking essential.
Find out more information on our Nature Clubs page here.
Junior Wardens
An introduction to conservation for youngsters aged 11 to 18
For those young people aged 11-18 wanting to learn how best to experience and take care of the natural world. With a mix of practical conservation tasks and educational sessions, we promise to teach you what there is to find in nature and how to look after it. Join us for woodland management, fungi forays, wildlife identification and dives into Lincolnshire’s prehistoric past.
Sessions will take place outside, so please dress appropriately for the weather. Junior Wardens aged 16 and under will need adult supervision in sessions involving tool use. Booking essential.
Find out more information on our Nature Clubs page here.
Room hire
Room hire at Whisby Nature Park
Facilities are available to hire for training, meetings, small conferences, away days and gatherings.
The Education Centre is a modern purpose built centre with stunning views from the light and spacious training rooms. The Nature Park has ample car parking and the Education Centre is fully accessible.
The Centre has two accessible 130m2 indoor training rooms fully equipped and furnished for most modern training requirements. Both rooms are capable of seating up to 60 people in theatre style seating or 35 in cabaret style.
The Centre also offers an enclosed outdoor space, exclusive for users of the Education Centre, plus private access to the lakeside. The six acres surrounding the Education Centre are suitable for a range of outdoor activities as well as offering an open and relaxing space for breaks.
Equipment
Equipment can be set up in a variety of styles to suit your needs and includes:
- Tables and chairs
- Flipchart stands with pads and pens
- Multi-media projector and screens
- Speakers for laptops
- Hearing loop
- Writing paper and pencils
- Whiteboards
- WiFi
Catering facilities
Light refreshments can be arranged, from tea, coffee and biscuits on arrival to the extensive lunchtime menu or buffet available from the Boardwalk Café at the Natural World Centre.
If you prefer to bring in your own caterers we can work with you to arrange this.
Car parking
Our large car park is capable of holding 150 cars and five coaches, and can host most conference parking requirements with room to spare. Trainers or organisers have the privilege of parking in the free private Education Centre car park directly in front of the building, easing the burden of loading and unloading any resources and equipment you may have.
Delegate parking is pay and display in the main car park with a charge in effect from 10am-4pm; £3.00 from 1st March - 31st October, £2.00 from 1st November - end of February.
Away days
All of our Education Centre staff are CRB checked and first aid trained. We have many years experience in delivering environmental education, nature conservation and outdoor recreation. We aim to make your day run as smoothly as possible.
If you would like an ‘away day’ with a difference our Education Officers can organise environmental training and activity days tailored to meet your needs, which include:
- Environmental Education Training Sessions
- INSET days for teaching staff
- Practical conservation training, projects and tasks
- Bushcraft
- Team building games and activities
- Guided walks and talks
Hire rates
All trainers can benefit from a free site tour with our Centre staff so we can tailor your training needs to best enhance your day. It also gives trainers a valuable opportunity to explore the Centre and Nature Park prior to your day. We can also supply relevant risk assessments and other health and safety information you may require.
| Room Hire (per day) | £200.00 |
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A selection of hot and cold refreshments |
£36.00 |
Contact
To check availability, to book or enquire about your visit please contact:
Whisby Education and Community Officers
Whisby Nature Park
Moor Lane
Thorpe-on-the-Hill
Lincoln
LN6 9BW
Tel: 01522 696926
Email: whisbyeducation@lincstrust.co.uk