Brancaster Millennium Activity Centre
Address: Dial House, Brancaster Staithe, Kings Lynn, PE31 8BW
Tel: 01485 210719
Brancaster Millennium Activity Centre is at the head of one of the small creeks in the Brancaster Staithe Harbour. Millennium Commission funding allowed the National Trust to renovate Dial House in a unique way, incorporating the latest renewable energy technology.
The whole approach of the centre is one of environmental sustainability. Children learn through investigation and discovery. They are challenged to think of ways in which they can reduce their impact on the environment and are actively involved in recycling, composting and water saving during their stay.
The Key Stage 2 to 4 courses are all linked to the National Curriculum and a wide range of activities are on offer as part of a five day tailor-made programme. Field studies include coastal processes, sand dune and salt-marsh survey. Outdoor pursuits include sailing, kayaking, cycling and orienteering. All of these are carried out by experienced and qualified staff.
In the evening laptops are available for children to analyse data and virtually explore the centre’s renewable energy systems and follow up the day’s activities using specialised CD-ROMs. A new A/S and A2 programmes includes salt-marsh and sand dune succession, freshwater ecosystems and coastal processes and management.
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Dunwich Heath
Address: Dunwich Heath, Dunwich, Suffolk. IP17 3DJ
Tel: 01728 648501
Dunwich Heath combines 87 hectares of lowland heath with 1.6km of beach. A coastline characterised by unstable cliffs of sand and flint and classified as a Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Site (RIGS), it has a long history of coastal retreat. Near the tiny village of Dunwich, once a large medieval city lost to the sea, and with erosion rates averaging a metre per year, Dunwich Heath provides an ideal opportunity to investigate coastal processes and the issue of sustainable coastal management.
Key Stage 2 pupils visiting Dunwich learn about coastal processes through a cliff retreat modelling exercise; using sand from the cliff, paper houses and a water tray to demonstrate how wave action causes cliff collapse. Teachers, helpers and pupils alike have all stated that a visit to Dunwich enables quite abstract concepts to really come alive and enable children to learn through direct observation and investigations.
Key Stage 3 and 4 visits emphasise the difficulties associated with coastal defence decision making, and the need for coastal management solutions to be sustainable, issues highlighted via role-play. Input from the Chairman of the Local Coastal Management Committee, committed to obtaining coastal protection, in contrast to the National Trust’s coastal policy of non-intervention, always results in a lively debate. Pupils enjoy the fact that all debates and scenarios are based on a real problem, which doesn’t have a clear-cut solution, and all pupils develop an appreciation of the processes and decisions involved with environmental planning. Comments from pupils include: 'I didn’t realise geography was so political' and 'It's really made me think hard about the whole idea of coastal defences'.
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Studland Beach and Purbeck Countryside Estates
Address: Castle View, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5DR
Tel: 01929 480609
Studland is a very popular tourist beach backed by an extensive sand dune Nature Reserve.
The Studland Study Centre is a south-facing, wooden construction, with wind turbine, solar panels, self-composting toilets, wood-burning ceramic stove and other ecological features. Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils visiting the centre, which won an Eco-Centre Award 2001, receive some or all of the following:
- A presentation, talk or discussion about the centre.
- ‘How sustainable is Studland?’ role-play activity for Key Stage 3.
- Hands-on activities in and around the centre which are relevant to the sustainability aspects of the building and the habitats and coastline, mainly for Key Stage 2. These usually form part of more conventional Geography or Science field studies, and is invariably asked for and welcomed by teachers.
- All groups, including Key Stage 4 and A-level, receive a short introduction to the centre as a minimum.
- More about Studland Beach
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Stackpole for Outdoor Learning
Address: Old Home Farm, Stackpole, Pembroke SA71 5DQ
Tel: 01646 661464
Stackpole is the Trust’s first residential education centre open year round. A European Green Flag Eco-Centre situated in the heart of Pembrokeshire’s Stackpole Estate, Stackpole is just half a mile from the fantastic National Nature Reserve coast.
We take all age groups, from Key Stage 2 primary school groups on a week of active environmental and outdoor education to GCSE groups studying ESD or Art, through to sixth form groups on Biology field trips and Further Education Students doing Photography, Art and Fashion.
The opportunity for students to experience the natural environment at firsthand is always invaluable. Teachers often tell us how students are motivated and stimulated by what we do. For many a visit to Stackpole is a milestone in their school career. Many schools use us as a part of their environmental campaigns. For example Eco-Schools raises children’s awareness of the environmental and sustainability issues while having fun too.
We also run a whole programme of environmentally friendly holidays. These 'Summer Safaris' give visitors the chance to cycle, sea kayak, Canadian canoe, while also soaking up the atmosphere of the environment.
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