Educational visits to Longshaw Estate

Valid from 1 January 2026 to 31 August 2026.

We might be able to offer a small subsidy towards your transport costs, if your school has a high percentage of students in receipt of Pupil Premium.

Payment is invoiced after your visit. If you need to raise a purchase order as part of the invoicing process, please ensure we receive full details before your visit.

Our guided school offer runs from 10.00am to 2.30pm. Please contact us if these times are not possible to discuss options.

We encourage all teachers to make a free preliminary visit to the site. Please email mdc@nationaltrust.org.uk to arrange this.

Teachers, group leaders and supporting adults are responsible for:

• Informing us in advance of any medical, behavioural or additional educational needs within your group.
• Ensuring pupils receive any required medication during the visit.
• Supervising behaviour and maintaining appropriate discipline throughout the day.
• Ensuring all accompanying adults are fit and able to participate fully.
• Making sure participants arrive suitably dressed for outdoor activities and changing weather conditions.
• Providing welfare items such as sun cream, water bottles and packed lunches where appropriate.
• Informing us of any significant changes to group numbers before the visit.
• Ensuring your school or organisation has appropriate insurance cover.

Please note: failure to meet these responsibilities may result in activities being adapted or cancelled for safety reasons.

All National Trust visit leaders:

• Are trained in outdoor leadership, group management and dynamic risk assessment.
• Hold current Outdoor Emergency First Aid certification.
• Carry first aid equipment.
• Have up-to-date DBS checks and safeguarding training.
• Are familiar with the sites, activities and emergency procedures.

We take safety seriously and operate a comprehensive risk management system. Dynamic Risk Assessments are carried out on the day to respond to changing conditions.

Hazard identification for group leaders.

Longshaw is an exposed upland environment and weather conditions can change quickly, so it’s important that everyone comes prepared for a full day outdoors.

We recommend students bring:

• T-shirt (long-sleeved in cooler weather)
• Warm jumper or fleece
• Waterproof coat
• Long trousers such as joggers or leggings (avoid denim jeans, which can become cold and uncomfortable when wet)
• Waterproof trousers, if available
• Wellington boots with two pairs of socks for wetter visits such as River Studies
• Warm hat, gloves and scarf (these can be carried in a bag if not needed)
• Packed lunch, snacks and a refillable water bottle
• Rucksack-style bag to carry belongings
• An empty carrier bag to sit on at lunchtime

• Any required medication

• Cameras or tablets if you wish to record the visit

If wellington boots are not available, sturdy waterproof boots or strong outdoor shoes are suitable for most visits. Please check with your teacher if unsure.

Top Tips

• Several thinner layers are usually warmer and more comfortable than one bulky layer.
• Bring a spare jumper or warm layer in your bag — it can feel much colder on the hills than in town.
• Please check the weather forecast before your visit and dress appropriately for the conditions.

A limited number of spare waterproofs and wellies may be available by prior arrangement.

Depending on the season, sun hats, sun cream and insect repellent may also be needed.

Schools and group organisers are responsible for ensuring appropriate supervision ratios for their visit, in line with their own policies and Local Authority guidance.

There is no single fixed adult-to-pupil ratio for outdoor learning visits. Appropriate supervision levels are determined through risk assessment and depend on factors including:

• The type and duration of the activity
• The location and environment
• The age, ability and needs of the group
• Behavioural, medical or additional educational needs
• Weather and ground conditions
• The experience and competence of accompanying adults

National Trust staff also assess supervision requirements as part of our own risk management procedures. However, National Trust staff cannot be counted within your school or organisation’s staffing ratios.

For many visits at Longshaw, groups with experienced accompanying adults may operate comfortably within commonly used school guidance ratios. The National Trust recommends the following ratios:

• 4-8 years 1:6
• 9-12 years 1:8
• 13 years + 1:10

Early Years groups must meet statutory staffing requirements and should carry out their own detailed risk assessment before visiting.

Please note that some visits or groups may require significantly higher levels of supervision, particularly where there are additional medical, behavioural or mobility needs, more challenging terrain, or changing environmental conditions.

For younger groups, it is particularly helpful if each supporting adult is assigned responsibility for a named small group of children before the visit.

Parent helpers and accompanying adults play an important role in supporting supervision and pastoral care throughout the day.

• Read all teacher information, site information sheets and risk assessments.
• Share relevant information with accompanying adults and pupils.
• Ensure all participants are dressed appropriately for outdoor conditions.
• Allow plenty of travel time and provide directions to your coach company.
• Inform us as soon as possible of any cancellations or significant changes to numbers.
• Let us know in advance if your group plans to use the café during the visit.

We welcome feedback to help improve our educational visits. Evaluation forms may be provided on the day or sent afterwards.

Please note: invoices are based on the number booked or the number attending on the day, whichever is greater.

• Meeting point: Moorland Discovery Centre

• Main car and coach park: Woodcroft Car Park

• Postcode: S11 7TZ
• What3Words: loaded.audio.soccer

Educational groups booked with the Moorland Discovery Centre can park free of charge.

Approximately 7.5 miles from Sheffield, off the A625 Sheffield–Hathersage Road. Follow brown National Trust signs to Woodcroft Car Park.

What3Words: loaded.audio.soccer

Grindleford Station:

• Approx 2 miles to the visitor centre or 50 minutes walk
• Approx. 100m to Padley Gorge

• Bus 271 & 272: Sheffield–Castleton
• Bus 65 Buxton-Sheffield-Chesterfield

Use the Fox House bus stop for access to the Estate.