Information for your visit

Staff

Groups will be led by a member of Suffolk Wildlife Trust staff or trained key volunteer.  All Suffolk Wildlife Trust learning team staff and key volunteers have enhanced DBS certificates and have undertaken safeguarding training.  Suffolk Wildlife Trust has a safeguarding policy which is available on our website or on request.

Our recommended adult:student ratios are:

Early Years    1:4

Key Stage 1    1:6

Key Stage 2    1:10

Key Stage 3    1:15

Key Stage 4    1:20

Please ensure that you bring accompanying adults to meet these ratios.  Suffolk Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers or school staff providing 1:1 support should not be included in these ratios.

Please organise students into the appropriate number of groups agreed with the Wild Learning Officer before arrival.

Responsibilities

Schools are responsible for the conduct (including discipline) of all members of their party during the visit and for the supervision of students at breaktime and lunchtime.  Please ensure that all accompanying adults have been fully briefed before the visit and are prepared to play a full and active part in sessions. 

Health and safety

Suffolk Wildlife Trust has a health and safety policy which is available on our website or on request.  A link to a risk assessment for the visit will be sent to you before booking.  In addition, a daily risk assessment will be carried out on the day of the visit; this is available on request.  On arrival, the group will be briefed on the site and activities and any health and safety issues pertaining to these.

Personal Care and First Aid

Schools are responsible for the personal care of students (where appropriate).

Although Suffolk Wildlife Trust Wild Learning Officers are trained in first aid, schools are responsible for providing and administering first aid to/for their students.  Please ensure that students (or accompanying adults) carry any medication they may require during the visit.  Please ensure that at least one adult trained in first aid accompanies the visit.

Weather

All activities will take place outdoors, unless weather conditions are deemed unsafe or students (and accompanying adults) are in discomfort.  Please ensure that students and accompanying adults dress appropriately for the weather with suitable footwear; long trousers (to protect against ticks, brambles and nettles) and wellington boots are advised.  Please ensure that all students and accompanying adults bring/wear a waterproof coat and, in hot weather, bring/wear a sunhat and have applied sunscreen.

Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring that our visits are accessible for everyone.  Please contact the Wild Learning Officer at the appropriate site if any students (or accompanying adults) have specific needs or requirements.

Picnic facilities

Please ensure that all students and accompanying adults bring their own packed lunches.  Please encourage students and accompanying adults to bring a low waste lunch with minimal disposable packaging, where possible.

Please also refer to Booking a school visit – terms and conditions