Education
Contact our education co-ordinator to book your session!
amy@owlhelp.org.uk
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Our small size means we will only have one school/ group booking per day, ensuring a safe environment for your group, and allowing plenty of space for lunchtime and exploring our play areas.
We have an outdoor picnic area that schools can use for lunches. We also have a couple of indoor areas for sessions and lunches when experiencing bad weather.
Our visitor talks are delivered by our Avian Trainer and Animal Keepers, and are full of fun facts for your group to learn, as well as the opportunity to see our amazing animals doing what they do best!
Our booked sessions are delivered by experienced education staff who can adapt the sessions depending on the group’s requirements. This includes working with SEN requirements, and we can provide photos of key areas, staff etc in advance of a visit to aid any learners. Sessions are linked to the National Curriculum and can be provided on a number of themes or topics. Popular sessions can be found below, but please contact us if you have any particular topics you would like us to cover:Habitats
Food Chains
Adaptations
Raptor Rescue
Conservation
Nocturnal Animals
EDUCATION GROUP RATE FROM SEPTEMBER 1ST 2024
£6.50 per child
Accompanying staff go free
£10.00 per additional adult (parent chaperones etc)
We recommend a ratio of 1 adult to 6 children, but expect groups to make their own assessment on this based on the needs and abilities of the group, including potential behavioural issues.All young visitors are given a free Safari Trail booklet with lots of activities for them to complete on site or at home.
You can also add an education session or guided walk to your day with each costing £35.00 with a maximum of 30 students per session. Larger groups are welcome to book additional sessions.
Teachers are welcome to arrange a free pre-visit to carry out their own risk assessments. Risk assessments for on site visits and activities can be provided upon request.
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If you are unable to visit us, then why not arrange for our Education Team to visit your school or group and deliver some sessions linked to the National Curriculum, covering a variety of topics about Birds of Prey.
A typical visit may include:
A presentation, featuring photos and film footage of our amazing birds*
Items for the group to explore, such as biofacts (feathers, bones etc) or falconry equipment
An age appropriate activity linked to a topic of your choice
Plenty of opportunities to ask questions about Birds of Prey and the Natural World
*This will require a screen/ projector to be available.
We can cover a variety of topics, including:
Habitats - Food Chains - Adaptations - Rescue
If you are reading a particular book in class, would like our visit to be a more science-based experience or have other educational requirements then please contact our Education Team on amy@owlhelp.org.uk so we can tailor the visit to your requirements.
The maximum number of children per session is 30 although the children may be split into smaller groups as appropriate. Larger groups are welcome to book multiple sessions for different classes. Prices:
Up to 2 hours is £75.00 plus mileage 50p per mile
A half day (up to 4 hours) is £100 plus mileage 50p per mile
A full day (up to 6 hours) is £150 plus mileage 50p per mile PLEASE NOTE - Suffolk Owl Sanctuary do NOT transport any live animals off site for external visits in line with zoo licensing regulations and for the health and welfare of our animals.
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We are pleased to offer a range of talks and presentations suitable for older audiences, such as Special Interest Groups, Gardening Clubs, Women’s Institute etc. These talks last approx 45 minuets, and will allow time for questions at the end.
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary - A talk about our history and work, including our Raptor Hospital and Nestbox project.
Raptor Factors - Learn about Raptors from the UK and around the world
All About Owls - Learn about Owls from the UK and around the world
Each talk is tailored to the needs of the group, requirements or interests. Please contact us if you have any suggestions.
These are delivered in person and will feature a selection of images and footage of our own birds to illustrate the talk. We will also bring a selection of information leaflets, and may bring along some props or biofacts when appropriate.
Our talks are priced at £60 for up to 2 hours (including set up and questions), plus mileage at 50p per mile.
Out-of-hours talks are subject to staff availability.
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We offer Further and Higher Education establishments the opportunity to visit our Sanctuary for a learning experience. This can include a pre booked activity such as creating enrichment or behavioural observations on our animals, a talk about animal welfare or training .
We welcome students to carry out research projects with us, and suggest they contact our Education Officer, amy@owlhelp.org.uk in the first instance to discuss what options might be available. These do not necessarily have to be animal related, and we can provide opportunities for art, education, film and media and tourism students.
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We are happy to provide students with work placements as part of their course. We can provide placements for students on Animal, Education, Tourism or Art/ Media courses - some of these placements may not be available year round due to the seasonal nature of our organisation.
Please contact dani@owlhelp.org.uk for further information
Click here to download our latest version of the
STONHAM SCREECHER
Testamonials
“Thank you very much for a lovely visit! The children had a wonderful time and enjoyed all the elements of the day. The staff were brilliant with the children, full of enthusiasm and energy. Many of our younger children have never been on a school trip before, due to Covid etc, so what a fantastic day for their first experience of a school trip. We had great feedback from our parent helpers who came along as well, I think they all learnt a lot too!”
- Chelmondiston Primary School
“From a teacher point of view, it was brilliant to be on a trip that was organised so well. Each part of the day was well planned and it meant I could also enjoy the day alongside the children without having to worry about where we are going next or trying to find our way round. Thank you to all of the staff for making us feel so welcome.“
— Morland C of E Primary School
The Sanctuary was asked to provide an activity throughout the day of special events for all groups on two separate days. Each activity was perfectly tailored to each age and ability group. The children loved hearing about the work of the Owl Sanctuary and enjoyed the practical and active nature of the sessions. The staff’s knowledge and enthusiasm for owl pellet dissection was clear to see and the older pupils were mesmerised by the hour spent pulling the pellets apart.
— Littlegarth School
“Our students like practical challenges, so being told what makes a good Owl box location by the type of Owl meant they could work as a team to scout for good locations. This was great!.“
— Priory School SENDAT
“During my placement I was able to handle some of the birds, be involved in their feeding and daily routine and also to see some of the work in the Hospital. I thoroughly enjoyed this placement; it is a unique opportunity and I gained lots of experience and knowledge. The staff were all exceptionally helpful and taught me how to safely handle both wild and trained birds as well as how to care for them. My favourite aspects of this placement were getting to see, and be involved in, some of the training of the birds and seeing the rehabilitation process of the wild birds.“
— Isobel Steele, University of Nottingham
“All of the staff were lovely and went out of their way to be helpful. One of our families has since purchased annual tickets“