The Coquet Shorebase
The Coquet Shorebase has a history of providing educational watersports going back nearly 70 years. Originally a Nautical Training base run through the Coquet High School at Amble, on the Northumberland coast, it is now a Community Watersports Centre providing affordable watersports training and recreation for the local community. As a registered charity, our aims reflect the social and education benefits these activities can bring to participants. Our main activity base is Ladyburn Lake, part of Druridge Bay Country Park, where we run sailing, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing and raft building activities. What can we offer to schools? You may just want a fun end of year session or a series of skills training sessions leading to a certificate. However, all our sessions will have an emphasis on team-work, confidence building, problem solving and water safety, not forgetting enjoyment, challenge and getting to know each other better, appreciating everyone’s strengths and weaknesses. Let us know your aims and objectives and we will tailor our sessions to these. For example, the most popular activity for a half-day session (up to 24 pupils), particularly with First Schools, involves splitting the group into two, and giving them 50 mins in sit-on-top kayaks and 50 mins on the big Stand up Paddleboards, swapping over half way through the session. It’s a lot of fun, really boosts water confidence and emphasizes teamwork and helping others. (Cost is £280). We can also offer improvised raft building (suitable for the older age group), and sailing or windsurfing for smaller groups. Activities really are for everyone. We work regularly with people with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities; our facilities are wheelchair accessible and we have Sailability and Paddle Ability approval status. It isn’t just about introductory sessions. We have three affiliated clubs (for Canoeing, Windsurfing and Sailing), which can use all our equipment, and provide a low- cost means of continuing activities for those who live locally. Many of our enthusiastic instructors are drawn from club members. Our other facility is situated at Amble, on the banks of the Coquet, which offers a more challenging environment for more advanced paddling or sailing activities. Both centres have changing rooms and hot showers. Wetsuits, cagoules and buoyancy aids are provided. We are licensed by AALA, an RYA training centre and hold the British Canoeing Quality Mark. See our webpage for more details about The Coquet Shorebare: click here Or contact us info@coquetshorebase.org.uk to discuss your ideas.
Customised Activity Weeks & Holidays on a Private Cornish Beach
Big Green Surf School is the sole activity provider on the stunning, National Trust managed, Crantock Beach in Cornwall. We provide expert tuition in surfing, bodyboarding & stand-up-paddleboarding to all abilities and would love the chance to work with your school. SURFING – Surf lessons for all abilities from complete beginners up to competition level. Crantock has amazing waves without the crowds of nearby Newquay. BODYBOARDING – Ideal for younger students or those less confident in the water. Often a first step towards stand-up surfing and very accessible for those with different needs. STAND-UP-PADDLEBOARDING (SUP) – We offer enclosed water beginner sessions, technique coaching and coastal exploration as well as fun and games on our 10-person “Monster SUP”, all under the supervision of our incredible coaches. BEACH SAFETY & AWARENESS – We provide dedicated, bespoke training and advice on key concepts that promote safety in a beach environment. We can introduce students to scientific principles that govern waves, current, sediment, tide and weather, linking in to National Curriculum objectives or lesson content provided by your school. Experience & Education We are proud to work with a lot of schools from all over the world, each with different requirements and preferences. From small groups of 10 students for an afternoon away from school, right up to groups in excess of 200 students on a dedicated activities week. We’ll customise a package to your requirements and aim to complement key concepts being taught in the classroom in-line with National Curriculum objectives if required. Safety & Insurance All staff hold full Beach Lifeguard Qualifications, nationally and internationally recognised coaching qualifications as well as DBS checks as a minimum. We conduct regular in-house training as well as enhanced training with the RNLI to ensure the safety of our clients. Big Green Surf School is a National Trust authorised activity provider, accredited by Surfing England and holds a licence from AALA (Adventure Activities Licensing Authority). All of our Risk-Assessments, EAPs & policies are available in PDF format to all schools and we hold insurances in excess of the standard requirement. Special Needs & Disabilities We have extensive experience working with students with a range of differing needs; including behavioural disorders, learning difficulties and physical disabilities. Our coaches are passionate about ensuring all students have the same opportunity to enjoy the ocean. We look forward to hearing from you and helping to plan your school’s next adventure! Find out more
Dalby, the Great Yorkshire Forest
Dalby is on the southern slopes of the North York Moors and covers over 8,000 acres – perfect for fun, exploration, learning and adventure. We have walking, cycling and running trails for all abilities, exciting play areas, Go Ape, bike hire, self-led learning, Gruffalo and Zog trails, an activity centre and an Enchanted Wood. To refuel, there are two cafes plus BBQ and picnic spots. Our experienced, enthusiastic staff and onsite partners will point you in the right direction. Discover learning, the Dalby way Dalby Forest is the perfect place for discovery and learning, for all ages and abilities. With venue hire, café and a variety of trails and activities available, it is a wonderful setting for groups to get involved in a range of learning activities that combine hands-on education with ideas for active minds. If you’re planning a trip for a group or class, there’s always plenty on offer. Whether you want to a book guided visit or organise your own, there are lots of opportunities and free downloadable resources. Ranger in a bag These resource backpacks provide all you need to run your own successful educational visit in the forest. They are really popular with schools and groups. Each activity bag contains equipment, games and resources for a class of up to 35 children and are most suitable for children aged 4-11. Each pack includes a 10 minute introduction talk from a Forest Ranger about Dalby Forest. Each bag includes enough activities for a half day session. Why not hire two bags of your choice to make your own full day programme? Session times available are 10am-12.30pm and 1pm-3.30pm. Environmental education We are delighted to offer led educational environmental educations session through our on-site learning partners, Dalby Activity Centre. Each session lasts two and a half hours and can be run as an independent half day activity or two sessions combined to make a full day. Alternatively you could mix an environmental activity with one of the half day multi-activity sessions that we offer. See their website or give us a call for more information. Activity packs for families These are available to buy at the Visitor Centre to help you explore the Dalby and find out more about the forest and its wildlife as a family. A great way to learn while having fun. Choose from the Habitat Trail or Orienteering – or do both! Find out more: Dalby Forest: http://forestryengland.uk/dalbyforest Telephone: 01751 460295 Email: dalbyvisitorcentre@forestryengland.uk Dalby Activity Centre: https://dalbyactivitycentre.co.uk/ Telephone: 01751 460590 Email: info@dalbyactivitycentre.co.uk
Wooden playground equipment and why it is better
The two key components of designing playgrounds is sustainability and safety. When children are playing around them their attentions tend to sway towards how ‘fun’ and interactive they are. So when it comes round to designing the playgrounds sustainability safety and fun must all be equally considered. The development stage Wooden play areas can bring children closer to nature. Made from natural resources such as driftwood and logs and are usually supported by natural landscapes such as small grassy hills and mud floors and these natural attributes remind children of the importance of the outdoors. Playgrounds also help to promote co-operation, teacher interaction, motor and social skills which help to build relationships with others and to promote teamwork, and the wooden playground can help interaction with their natural surroundings. Other features of natural playgrounds can be sand pits, water ways and rocky areas. They are sustainable Wooden playgrounds are more sustainable and recyclable than plastics. Wooden Playgrounds moisture content is under 20% therefore it doesn’t rot, and if properly cared for can last for years. Even though metal playgrounds genuinely last longer they tend to rust and can become dangerous with sharp edges. Wooden playgrounds should be maintained on a regular basis as well as suitable drainage wherever they may be placed. Infinite Playgrounds, designers of natural playgrounds – take recycled timber and make them into natural shapes of the design they want to use. For example, the shape of the logs they use are considered when creating the climbing frames. This is a low-carbon footprint method unlike the metal or plastic frames. Practical and versatile Natural wooden playgrounds are great in helping children develop. This is because they detain ‘risky’ play so children can explore. As well as great traction, the playgrounds don’t become hot to the point of burning in summer and cold to touch on cooler days. They’re also custom-made as they’re designed with the natural environment in mind and whether that be in a National Trust Park or a playground, these structures are perfect for all spaces no matter the shape or size. Metal playgrounds however, are only able to come in pre-set shapes or designs which make them unsuitable in this sense. Additions can easily be made to wooden playgrounds without affecting their structure unlike metallic playgrounds that may have to be destroyed and rebuilt. With any playground there should always be an attempt to incorporate some natural features and materials, and to make them hard-wearing as well as fun. Wooden playgrounds aren’t just great for the environment, they’re fully customisable, unique and specific to the surrounding environment.