Nell Bank Charitable Trust

What will students see and do?

Nell Bank Charitable Trust operates a unique outdoor education centre in the town of Ilkley in West Yorkshire. The centre sits between the River Wharfe and Middleton Woods, adjacent to Ilkley Moor.

The centre offers outdoor learning experiences for school day trips and residentials.

Students will arrive at the centre’s covered amphitheatre, which offers picturesque views of the moor. From there, they’ll head out on the day’s adventures. Pupils of all ages can enjoy a day of pond dipping, minibeast hunting, water play (weather permitting) and problem-solving activities.

Young pupils (EYFS and KS1) can explore nature and learn important communication and social skills on a day visit. Their outdoor experience will begin with a retelling of Michael Rosen’s We’re going on a Bear Hunt, Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo or another rhyming story while children embark on a woodland adventure.

Activities for KS1 and KS2 pupils are inspired by other children’s literature, like John Hegley’s Stanley’s Stick and Martin Waddell’s Owl Babies. Each story kicks off an outdoor adventure where pupils explore local habitats, learn about adaptation and work together to accomplish a goal.

Upper KS2 students may spend time in Bluebell woods walking the habitat trail, or learning about the geography of rivers along the banks of the River Wharfe. They can also spend the day in the Round House, learning about the early people of the British Isles. The programme is based around the Stone Age, but can be adjusted to cover the Bronze and Iron Ages if needed.

Legend has it that Yorkshire is the home of giants. Older students can spend the day exploring the giant myths and legends of the Wharfe Valley. They’ll build on their teamwork skills by rescuing a flock of helpless ducks or traversing an obstacle course.

Nell Bank’s outdoor education centre was created to inspire learning. No matter the age group of your pupils, each outdoor experience is designed to be fun, educational and rewarding.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

Nell Bank offers curriculum-linked programmes for pupils from Early Years through to KS2. Activities help increase your pupils’ subject knowledge and also facilitate the development of communication skills, social and emotional growth and build on your classroom lessons.

The opportunity to explore nature helps EYFS pupils better understand themselves and the world around them. EYFS pupils can achieve early learning goals like ELG 01 (listening and paying attention in various situations) and ELG 04 (moving and handling with good control and coordination), plus more.

For KS1 and KS2 pupils, outdoor education at Nell Bank can achieve PSHE, science, PE and geography curriculum goals. A day visit or overnight stay at Nell Bank allows pupils to explore outdoor habitats, face physical challenges and participate in team-building activities.

An outing to the centre also offers KS2 students lessons in history, shelter building and social activities like the Ilkley Moor Walk. These activities help students achieve curriculum goals in history, design, technology and personal development.

The centre also offers programmes for students with special needs.

Subjects covered

Details of risk assessment

The Nell Bank outdoor education centre has earned the LOtC Quality Badge from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.

You can download detailed risk assessments from the centre’s leader information page. They cover all available activities for day visits and residential school trips for each age group.

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