hello teachers and leaders
In preparation for your school trip we have put the following information together to help you plan your visit and answer any questions you may have about the time you will spend with us. If you are looking for any additional information or have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by using the ‘have a question’ form on this page, or by email to outdooreducation@northyorks.gov.uk, or give us a call on 01609 797777.
Bookings
In preparation for your school trip, we have put the following FAQ’s together to help you plan your visit and answer any questions you may have about the time you will spend with us. If at any stage you are looking for any additional information or have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by giving us a call on 01609 797777, using the ‘have a question’ form on this page, or by email to outdooreducation@northyorks.gov.uk
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How many teachers / leaders do we need to accompany our group?
One adult teacher / leader is present with each activity group. Our group size is a maximum of 12.
Is it possible to visit the centre before booking
Yes, of course. If the group leader would like to visit the centre prior to their visit, please contact the relevant centre to enquire about arrangements.
Can we make any amendments to the number of students / teachers in the booking?
We understand that changes sometimes need to be made. We will do our best to accommodate additional guests, but it will depend on accommodation and group to outdoor tutor availability. Please contact us as soon as you anticipate any changes that need to be made to your booking.
When will we receive our programme and room allocations?
We will start working with you three to four months prior to your visit to look at your programme of activities and accommodation requirements.
Can we arrive outside set arrival times?
The standard arrival time is between 10:30-11:30am, and departure time is 1:30-2.30pm. Please contact the centre directly if you need to discuss alternative timings.
What’s Included?
Once you arrive at our outdoor education centres, everything is included:
Accommodation
Accommodation for the duration of the visit.
Bedding and linen
Pillows, sheets, duvets, and blankets are all provided. Students and teachers/leaders are to bring their own towels.
Meals
We provide 3 meals per day.
Experienced, full-time, outdoor teachers and tutors
Each group of 12 students is led by a fully qualified and experienced outdoor tutor.
All specialist equipment
All sporting equipment and adventure specific helmets and harnesses.
Transport
Once at the centre, all transport to and from adventure activities is provided.
All specialist clothing
Waterproofs, wellies, and wetsuits are provided when required. We encourage students and teachers/leaders to bring their own wellies, but we have plenty on hand for the duration of the visit.
Visiting teachers stay free
For every 12 students booked, you have one centre funded visiting teacher place plus one additional centre funded place for the whole booking.
Memories to last a lifetime
Memories from time spent on outdoor residential visits are the ones we always remember when looking back on our school years!
Programme and Activities
Can you support a specific theme or area of the curriculum?
Our teachers and outdoor tutors have a sound knowledge of the school curriculum from KS2 through to KS4, and beyond to post-16 field studies, and are brilliant in using the great outdoors to make subjects come to life.
Each of our pre-built programmes, specific to each key stage, highlight how each activity can support the curriculum. If you have a specific subject or theme that you would like us to focus on during your visit, please let us know beforehand when you are planning your visit so we can weave that content into the activities in the best way possible.
Who is responsible for running evening activities?
It is the responsibility of school/group leaders to run evening activities, for which our centres have various indoor and outdoor facilities and activities for you to choose from. Some of the programmes have recommended evening activities that support the programme’s objectives or theme.
Can you support students with different needs on the same residential visit?
We believe that children of all abilities have the right to learn and to have fun whilst doing so, in a safe but challenging environment. Proudly involved with the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and ‘Aiming High for Disabled Children’ projects, together with many years working with people of all ages and all abilities, our full-time teachers and outdoor tutors are quick to assess a group’s social dynamic and level of skill, which means they know exactly how to deliver an outstanding learning experience to each member of the group, no matter how diverse.
Do teachers and leaders need to participate in the activities?
For some of the activities you can choose to observe rather than participate, but for activities which include journeying with your group like canoeing down a river for example, you are required to stay with your group.
Medical, Health, and Safety
Do you provide insurance cover?
Outdoor Education North Yorkshire holds Public Liability Insurance with a limit of indemnity of £50,000,000. We also hold Professional Indemnity for our advisory services with a limit of liability of £5,000,000. It is the responsibility of schools and groups to ensure that they arrange appropriate travel or school journey insurance for any booking made with us.
What certifications do you have?
Our centres are inspected by the Adventure Activity Licensing Service, and we are certified to provide all our activities. For details, please have a look at the Statutory and non-statutory licences and accreditations for risk management and quality section on our Health and Safety page.
Are your staff DBS checked?
As part of the North Yorkshire Council, we have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need and to promote the upbringing of such children by their families. We comply with Council policies including safer recruitment and disclosure and barring checks. We undertake training appropriate to roles in line with guidance from North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.
What qualifications do Outdoor Education North Yorkshire Staff have?
As per the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations 2004, all our Teachers and Outdoor Tutors are competent and qualified to lead students on our outdoor activities. For more information, please view the Competent and qualified instructors section on our Health and Safety page.
Will someone from Outdoor Education North Yorkshire be available at all times?
During office hours members of staff are assigned to groups to assist with any queries. Out of normal office hours, a duty person will be available to support the groups at all times.
Does a member of Outdoor Education North Yorkshire staff stay in the centre overnight?
There is a duty staff member on site every night who stays overnight.
Is there a designated first aider?
All teaching staff hold relevant first aid qualifications. Information related to local doctors, pharmacy, and hospitals etc. are available from the centre. Evening and overnight duty staff hold relevant first aid qualifications and can support you as group leader with your responsibilities during non-teaching time.
Facilities
Do you have internet access?
Yes, we have Wi-Fi coverage in communal and staff rooms. Wi-Fi connection is at the discretion of the visiting staff.
What are the teachers / leaders bedrooms like?
Visiting staff are provided with twin or single rooms which include linen, a kettle (with tea and coffee), a first aid kit, and a dormitory door alarm.
Are your centres wheelchair friendly?
We are proud to be involved with the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and ‘Aiming High for Disabled Children’ projects. As a result, we have been able to develop our Centres’ adaptive facilities, provide specialist staff training, and expand our range of inclusive equipment. Above all, it has had a massive impact on the numbers of children with additional needs that have been able to access outdoor learning opportunities at the Centres.
Please contact the centre directly to discuss your requirements.
Is transportation provided?
Once you arrive at our centres, all transport to and from activities is provided.
Catering
How do you cater for students who have special dietary requirements?
Our catering team are accustomed to catering for special diets required by medical concerns, culture, and religion. Please let us know about any dietary concerns as soon as possible in the booking process to allow us to cater for these requirements.
What time are the meals?
Breakfast is between 7:50am and 8:30am, and supper between 5:15pm and 6pm. A snack of hot chocolate with biscuits or cake is enjoyed later in the evening. The midday meal is a packed lunch.
Is there a tuckshop?
Yes. The tuck shop is open to all visitors in the evenings and is run by the visiting staff. We ask that where possible visitors bring change!
Do we get lunch on departure day?
Yes, you will be provided with a packed lunch before the trip home.