Field Studies Council – Flatford Mill
Photos of Field Studies Council – Flatford Mill
What will students see and do?
Students can enjoy a range of outdoor learning activities during a school residential trip or day trip to the Field Studies Council’s Flatford Mill site.
The venue is located in Constable country in the beautiful Dedham Vale on the Essex-Suffolk border. Grounds include woodland, a wildlife pond and River Stour frontage. This is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the perfect setting for a host of outdoor activities that provide fun challenges for kids for a feel-good school trip.
There is a huge range of opportunities for all students, from personal growth and wellbeing activities, to core subjects including science, geography and environmental science.
Courses are aimed at getting students involved in the natural world and encouraging them to take part in adventure activities outdoors in a healthy environment.
Younger visitors at all levels of primary education will build confidence and self-esteem while discovering good communication skills through fun games, activities and challenges.
Students will take part in a range of back-to-nature activities all geared towards helping them to learn about the natural world: exploring woodland and learning about habitats, identifying types of trees, and finding out how to identify a plant.
Plus, there is a range of adventure-based activities such as building a shelter and learning how to trail and track. There’s even an opportunity to experience living like Iron Age people and to find out interesting facts about the Stone Age and how these hunter-gatherers lived.
Opportunities for secondary students are linked to the national curriculum, and involve outdoor fieldwork all led by qualified tutors.
The aim is for students to spend as much time as possible outside the classroom and in the open air, learning important life skills alongside curriculum-based work.
The area surrounding the historic Flatford Mill provided settings for a number of Constable paintings, and the Mill is best known for its starring role in the Haywain painting. Residential students stay in one of the historic buildings – Willy Lott’s Cottage, Valley Farm – a great hall built in the mid-1400s, or the Mill itself.
Teaching resources provided
Contact Field Studies Council – Flatford Mill directly for details of teacher resources.
Minimum and maximum group size
Flatford Mill is made up of four separate accommodation blocks.
There are 10 single or twin rooms and a further 15 rooms containing three or more beds, giving a total of 78 beds for residential trips.
Details of risk assessment
FSC centres have stringent health and safety policies. Flatford Mill has a Safety Shield Health and Safety Award and holds a Learning Outside the Classroom quality badge. It also has a 5* Food Hygiene rating.
More information about FSC health and safety policies can be found on the Field Studies Council homepage.
Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment
Facilities On-Site
Games and activities are available for children aged 8+ but younger children are welcome.
There is a common room with table tennis, table football, TV, DVD player, books and board games.
Books and computers are available in the library.
Fully catered services are available for all dietary needs, as well as packed lunch making services.
Wellingtons, waterproof jackets and trousers are available for hire.
Free guest wifi is available throughout.
Opening Times
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Pricing
Contact Field Studies Council – Flatford Mill directly for details of pricing for school residential trips.
Travel arrangements
Flatford Mill is located close to Colchester, off the A12.
Customers arriving via car or minibus can use the centre car park at the end of the lane. Coach parking is available free of charge for FSC customers at the nearby National Trust carpark.
School groups can also benefit from a free minibus pick-up service from nearby Manningtree station.
Address
FSC Flatford Mill, East Bergholt, Colchester
CO7 6UL
Book your school trip to Field Studies Council – Flatford Mill
For information on booking your school trip to this venue, click below.