Educational Visits

Here at Weardale Outdoor we provide a safe learning environment where children of all ages and backgrounds can study a variety of curricula and extra curricula activities in the countryside. Our staff are fully trained under the Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS) and have Access to Farms Qualifications. We pride ourselves in creating the perfect learning environment. We will complete all the required paperwork and risk assessments to ensure that your students remain safe throughout their stay. The site is well equipped with safety vehicles and all staff are in permanent residence on the site. We are happy to take students for extended trips or as part of a combined Adventure Training Trip.




We have the perfect facilities to offer the following topics:

Farm Walks (see below): All key stages
Renewable Energies: All key stages
Wildlife Management studies: Key Stage 3/4 and PC
Game Management and Shooting Habitats: Key Stage 2. Supported by BASC
Bird Watching and Safari: Key Stages 2-4
River Studies: Key Stage 4 & PC
Footpath Erosion: Key Stage 4 & PC
Woodland Studies: Key Stage 4 & PC
Upland Agriculture: Key Stage 3/4 & PC
Duke of Edinburgh Training
Teambuilding Days


Schools are expected to come with their own staff to accompany the children. Our Weardale Outdoor staff will assist with any training where possible.

Current prices start at £100 plus VAT per day for a party of upto 20 students, not including lunch or accommodation. This includes a Weardale Outdoor member of staff to supervise your trip, but does not include use of any the non-public rooms in the centre. 

Farm Walks:
We can conduct educational Farm Walks for Key Stages 1-3 that will satisfy a whole range of subjects and units. The walks can vary in length and content and will all be conducted by the CEVAS Qualified Estate Manager. More detailed and longer walks can be carried out for Key Stage 4 and PC. You can include units from a wide range of subjects that are detailed in the curriculum links page. Prices vary given the length of farm walk but will be based on an hourly charge of £20 per hour of your visit plus VAT. You must have a minimum level of adult supervision of 1:10 and must include a female if there are females in the group. All risk assessments for the day will be provided for you. Children must bring suitable clothing and footwear to go on the walk. Parental Consent Forms must be provided by the school, or our own consent form must be used. This can be emailed to the organising teacher.

There are many ways in which farming and growing can enrich the curriculum. Some examples have been provided by the Department for Educational Skills initiative called Growing Schools.

Such learning opportunities are shown below and can cover all age groups:

Art & Design: - Paint and create landscape art.
Food Technology: Procedures for food safety, explore the sensory qualities of materials, food found naturally in the countryside
Geography: Observe and record, fieldwork skills, changes in environment, physical and human processes.
History: Ask and answer questions about the past, investigate how an aspect in the local area has changed.
Science: life processes common to plants, life processes in animals, protecting the environment, food chains, identify local occurring animals 
Mathematics: select and handle data, interpret data and tables, draw conclusions and measuring skills.
PSHE & Citizenship: the range of jobs carried out, talk about and explain opinions and issues, helthy lifestyle
PE: Follow trails in unfamiliar environments, physical activity
ICT: Find, classify and check information.
Sustainable Development: Food, energy and water, local well being
Careers: Work experience, vocational route to learning, jobs in action
Key Skills: Communication, working with others, problem solving
Thinking Skills: Information processing, enquiry, evaluation
Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Skills: Develop confidence, embrace challenge, learning about business sustaining the economy
Financial Capability: Financial choices