Learning About
The Learning and Discovery Team provides high quality education services. Contact the team on 01433 620373 or email us
- Education Services
Student and teacher resources and our environmental education centres - Education factsheets
Curriculum-linked factsheets and resources for students and teachers - Family and Community
Day and residential visits at centres across the Peak District
Primary Education Visits
The Peak District National Park Authority's Learning and Discovery Team offers a comprehensive range of field studies for Infant, Junior and Primary schools. Our aim is to promote an increased understanding of the Peak District National Park by:
• helping children to better explore and understand the natural world through first-hand experiences
• valuing children’s instincts, curiosity and thirst for knowledge
• encouraging children to create a ‘sense of place’, and
• enable children to have a safe, fun and enjoyable outdoor experience
The Learning and Discovery programmes for Key Stages 1 and 2 have clearly stated outcomes that directly relate to work taught in the classroom. They will contribute to achieving the geography, science and art curriculums and are easy to book. Teachers notes and risk assessments are available for download.
Each programme can be adapted to suit particular needs and age groups and teachers are encouraged to talk to the Learning team about their specific needs.
As well as covering aspects of the geography and science curriculums, our field trips also place a strong emphasis on developing personal confidence and team-building skills, with opportunities to consider aspects of PSHE and Citizenship and foster Every Child Matters outcomes. As well as these outcomes, we also focus on 'environmental and social well-being' of both the child and their links with the environment. We will also endeavour, wherever possible, to incorporate into our work the National Framework for Sustainable Schools and the eight doorways to sustainability.
For more information, please contact Andrew Battye, our Learning and Discovery Officer for primary visits on 01433 622011 or andrew.battye@peakdistrict.gov.uk
Our Key Stage 2 programmes
Location: Tideswell Dale, Tideswell; or Beresford Dale (Dovedale), Hartington
Duration: ‘Dales Discovery’ is available as a half day from Tideswell Dale or a full day from Hartington
Discover how landscapes have formed over millions of years. The children become ‘dales explorers’ as they walk through the beautiful limestone scenery of The White Peak of the Peak District National Park
Location: Various locations, including Castleton, Gradbach and the Burbage Valley. Please contact us for options - andrew.battye@peakdistrict.gov.uk
Duration: 'A River’s Tale’ is available as a half or full day when combined with 'Riverbank Explorers'
A River’s Tale is a study of water and the processes involved in the formation of landscapes by rivers and streams while Riverbank Explorers investigates living things in their environment
Location: Village of Hartington
Duration: 'Hartington Village Study' is available as a half day
This programme focuses on Hartington – a typical village in the Peak District. The children explore village characteristics and consider the issues associated with visitor pressure and recreation
Location: Village of Castleton
Duration: 'Castleton Village Study' is available as a half day
The Children will investigate Castleton and explore the changes caused by the geology of the area and the activities of humans. The visit promotes understanding of the needs to manage 'honeypot' villages
Castleton Village Study can be extended to a full day when combined with ‘Exploring My Sense of Place’ or a Farm Visit to Riding House Farm, Castleton
Location: Tideswell Dale or Losehill Hall
Duration: 'Rocks and Soils' is available as a half day
Most of our food depends on soil. By visiting a limestone dale and using simple fieldwork techniques and examples, the children learn how soil is formed and what it consists of
Rocks and Soils can be combined with other programmes, such as a ‘Dales Discovery’ or 'Art in the Park' in Tideswell Dale
Location: Riding House Farm, Castleton or Beechenhill Farm, Ilam
Duration: 'Farm Visits' are available as half days
We take our food, and where it comes from, for granted. A visit to a typical Peak District farm will encourage children to learn more about food production
Make a day out of it in Castleton. Why not combine a Farm Visit with ‘Rocks and Soils’ or ‘Exploring My Sense of Place’?
Location: Tideswell Dale or Losehill Hall or at your Youth Hostel
Duration: ‘Art in the Park’ is available as a half or standard day. It can also be booked as a short evening activity on a residential stay
Art in the Park will give children the opportunity to gain an understanding and appreciation of the natural world. It is an artistic adventure which explores environmental issues and concerns and promotes individual responsibility for caring for the natural world
Location: Losehill Hall or at your Youth Hostel or residential venue
Duration: ‘Earth Caretakers’ is available as a full day
We empower children to late action for a more sustainable future, by looking at some of the natural processes that govern life on Earth and how they affect our lives. ‘Earth Caretakers’ focuses on the natural world and how we can both enjoy and care for it
Location: Various locations, including Castleton for Mam Tor and Odin Mine; Tideswell Dale and the Monsal Trail; the Upper Derwent Valley; and the North Lees Estate. Please contact us for options and other alternatives - andrew.battye@peakdistrict.gov.uk
Duration: ‘Exploring My Sense of Place’ is available as a half or full day, or as an evening activity on a residential stay
Covering a wide range of topics, our interactive walks have the 'WOW' factor as they interpret the landscapes and cultural heritage of the Peak District National Park
Location: Losehill Hall or at your Youth Hostel
Duration: A short programme easily combined with other activities such as a Farm Visit or Exploring My Sense of Place, or as an evening activity on a residential visit. We can also deliver this talk directly to you, depending on your location. Please contact us for further information
This presentation is an ideal introduction to the Peak District National Park. It looks at the history, geology and ‘special qualities’ of the Park. It is followed by a role-play where the children take on the roles of landowner, conservationists, tourist and local people
Duration: ‘Up Hill and Down Dale’ is available as a half or full day. As a half day, we concentrate on the White Peak around Tideswell Dale, from where it can easily be combined with ‘Dales Discovery’ or ‘Art in the Park’. Please contact us for further information
This programme places a special emphasis on biodiversity and threats to it, such as climate change. It investigates our role in the enhancement and protection of landscapes and biodiversity
To book your field visit with us:
Please contact Kate Hall (01457 855487) our Learning and Discovery Administrator or email learning.discovery@peakdistrict.gov.uk
To discuss your field visit and the options available:
Please contact Andrew Battye (01433 622011) our Learning and Discovery Officer for Primary visits or email andrew.battye@peakdistrict.gov.uk
Our Key Stage 1 Programmes
Teddy Bears' Picnic
Location: Losehill Hall
Duration: 10:30 to 2:30 with a break for lunch
We invite the children to bring their teddies to a picnic with Edward the chief bear. They will learn about the things that all living creatures need to survive. They will:
Experience the natural world using their senses on a sensory walk
Discover that the ‘needs of life’ are in limited supply
See Amrita’s Story, a puppet show about an Indian girl who loves trees
Create an island habitat for their teddies
Infant Explorers
Location: Tideswell Dale or Losehill Hall
Duration: 10:30 to 2:30 with a break for lunch
We invite the children to imagine life as creatures that life in and around rivers and streams – a water vole, whirligig beelte, freshwater shrimp and heron. As ‘infant explorers’ they will:
Experience the natural world using their senses on a sensory walk and investigate, examine and identify creatures living in the water environment. They will also discover how living things protect themselves in the natural world by following an ‘un-nature trail’
Art in the Park
Location: Tideswell Dale or Losehill Hall
Duration: 10:30 to 2:30 with a break for lunch
Our Art in the Park activity gives children an opportunity to gain an understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Art in the Park is an artistic adventure which explores environmental issues and concerns, and promotes individual responsibility and teamwork. Using their creativity and imagination, the children are inspired and challenged to see the natural world in a new way, while focusing on plants and animals featured in the Peak District Biodiversity Action Plan
