Residential centres

Nottinghamshire County Council has two environmental/outdoor centres which offer pupils the opportunity of residential visits to enrich and enhance the school curriculum and contribute to learning outside the classroom.

Hagg Farm Environmental Education Centre
Head of Centre: Phil Baker.
Tel: 01433 651594
E-mail: haggfarm@nottscc.gov.uk

This centre is located in the Upper Derwent Valley of the Peak National Park and can accommodate up to 60 pupils and staff from secondary and special schools. Schools can visit the centre throughout the year to undertake outdoor adventurous activities and field studies.

The surrounding areas provide a wealth of opportunities to enrich the school based curriculum and the centre maintains a wide range of specifically designed materials for Key Stages 3 and 4, AS/A level and GCSE work. Many environmental issues can be looked at including moorland and freshwater ecology, tourism and land use, geological studies and practical conservation. Hagg Farm also offers outdoor pursuits such as rock climbing, caving, orienteering, problem solving activities, expeditions and a variety of conservation activities.  The centre was extended and made more accessible in 2004 following a successful Big Lottery bid.

• Staffed by experienced teachers, highly qualified in outdoor and environmental education.
• Training provided for new leaders of visits. Centre staff will assist you in school with planning.
• No outdoor activity qualifications required by visiting teachers.
• Individually tailored programme for each school's needs.
• Excellent resources to support curriculum work, especially in science, geography and PSHE.
• Aimed at pupils of all abilities.
• Nottinghamshire schools' visits are subsidised by the LA with remission of fees for pupils eligible for free school meals.
• All risk assessments/operational procedures meet LA and DCFS guidelines.
• Licensed by the Adventure Activity Licensing Authority.
• John Hunt Base (16 beds) bookable separately or with main centre.
• Sole use of the centre.

Available all year round for week/weekend bookings. Please phone for current availability.

For more information visit the Hagg Farm website at www.twiyo.net/users/haggfarm/index.htm

St Michael's Environmental Education Centre
Acting Head of Centre: Bill Hanley
Tel: 01433 650309
E-mail: stmichaels@nottscc.gov.uk

Situated in the village of Hathersage in the heart of the Peak National Park, The centre caters for up to 34 children from primary and special schools. St Michael's offers an abundance of opportunities throughout the year for study in all curriculum areas.

Hathersage lies on the River Derwent and a network of footpaths radiating from the village make the surrounding landscape of wood, moorland, streams and rivers easily accessible. Although the centre is specifically resourced for Key Stage 2 pupils, bookings are welcome from years 2-6 and a wider age range from special schools.

Schools are guided in their choice of a balanced programme by the curriculum modules at the centre. Pupils are offered many learning opportunities including working with maps, investigating the life of a stream, practical conservation, using field evidence and artefacts to interpret the past as well as developing positive attitudes to the environment as a whole.

• Outdoor qualified and experienced teaching support.
• Training provided for new leaders of visits. Centre staff assist schools in planning a programme.
• School teachers do not need to have specialist outdoor skills.
• Balanced programme of outdoor activities to meet the group's needs.
• Resources available to support a wide variety of curriculum work.
• Aimed at pupils of all abilities.
• Nottinghamshire schools' visits are subsidised by the LA with remission of fees for pupils eligible for free school meals.
• All risk assessments/operational procedures meet LA and DCSF guidelines.
• Extra staff accommodation available in the adjacent cottage.
• Sole use of the centre; large hall with kitchen, dining and recreation areas.
  

Available all year round for week/weekend bookings. Please phone for current availability.

St Michael's Cottage is next to the centre but is entirely separate, with its own access shared with other houses. It can be used in conjunction with a main centre booking to accommodate up to 4 extra adults. The cottage comprises 1 double bedroom, 1 twin bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen, TV & video and garden. An information sheet is available if you require further information regarding separate hire of the cottage.