NWT Hickling Broad

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What will students see and do?

For a school trip experience that’s packed with exciting outdoor activities for kids, plan a visit to Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Hickling Broad site.

The wetland has a mix of open water, reedbed, fen and woodland habitats for students to enjoy, and as part of the Norfolk Broads, the centre is a haven for Norfolk’s wildlife all year round.

Group leaders can plan a day full of activities or create their own self-guided tour. The site offers a wide range of courses to support science-based educational visits, such as minibeast activities that teach students the importance of different species through hands-on investigations.

Looking for creative ideas for kids to spur the imagination of your class? Try Hickling Broad’s Wild Art experience, which encourages children to create works of art out of nature.

Your educational trip can also take you along the Norfolk Broads in boats. Hickling Broad’s boat trips along the River Thurne offer a fantastic opportunity for children of all ages to view the plants and animals that call this area home, such as the common crane, kingfisher, birds such as waders, and the swallowtail butterfly. Listen out for a barn owl call, as these elegant creatures are a common sight on the Broads.

The site’s dyke dipping experience allows students to get up close and personal with freshwater critters. From purpose-built dipping platforms, kids will learn to investigate and explore the ecology of the area.

Take your next outdoor education experience further with Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Learning Outside the Classroom qualified site, Hickling Broad.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important to the natural world? Hickling Broad’s qualified education officers and boat operators will answer these questions and many more as students work their way through a variety of fun and engaging activities, such as pond dipping and exploring habitat trails.

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 science will be covered through the site’s outdoor learning programmes. Through Hickling’s environmental games, students will use their senses to learn all about the natural world. They’ll also gain a greater appreciation for the wildlife around them as they learn about the life cycles and importance of different plants during Plant Detectives activities. Art activities for kids are also on offer through the centre’s Wild Art programme.

These school trip ideas can be tailored to the learning outcomes and national curriculum for most Key Stages and abilities. The centre is also able to provide outreach sessions, which will inspire children on their very own school grounds.

Subjects covered

Geography

Science

Teaching resources provided

Powerpoints are available to help group leaders prepare for secondary and primary school trips to any Norfolk Wildlife Trust site.

These resources introduce the Trust, the reserve, key words and other useful information, including what children should wear and dining suggestions.

Minimum and maximum group size

If necessary, larger groups of pupils will be split up and rotated around your chosen sessions. Speak to the team for more information.

Details of risk assessment

For details of the site’s school trip risk assessment, visit the website.

PLANNING

Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment

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Facilities On-Site

Hickling Broad’s visitor centre includes toilets, refreshments and a gift shop. Wildlife Detective explorer bags for children are available for hire at a £10 deposit and £1.50 charge.

There is a large car park on site, as well as disabled car parking. A rough surface leads to the centre, which has a disabled toilet, hearing loop and a wheelchair available for use.

Opening Times

The reserve is open from dawn until dusk, every day of the year. The visitors’ centre is open from 10am – 4pm.

Pricing

Activities cost £3 + VAT per pupil, per activity, or £4 each for Norfolk Broads boat hire.

For self-guided tours, Norfolk Wildlife Trust charges £1.30 + VAT per student for entry.

For one NWT Education Officer, the Trust charges a minimum of £120 + VAT for a half-day, or £200 + VAT for a full day. For two NWT Education Officers, the Trust charges a minimum of £220 + VAT for a half-day, or £295 + VAT for a full day.