We cater for all age groups and abilities and aim to make school field trips interesting and fun to the animal sanctuary.
Workbooks can be downloaded from this website built around the visit with parts for completion during the visit and also back at school. The workbook covers a wide age range so we suggest teachers adapt the content to suit. Classroom sessions are included in visits with an introductory talk and question and answers by our education officer. Topics discussed in the classroom are varied and can be chosen by the visiting school to fit in with curricular activities and of course age and ability. These typically include mini-beasts, colour, shape, camouflage, habitats, wildlife conservation etc. using the butterflies and otters as examples. Feeding time talks and demonstrations in the otter area three times every day to enable school groups to find out more about our otters from the otter keeper. An all inclusive charge of £8 per child (inc. VAT) with no charge for teachers and supervisory staff.
The butterfly house is of course completely under cover, and although the otter area is outside there are covered areas to watch from. We can offer a combined school visit with the South Devon Steam Railway. They have an educational officer who can offer talks if required. See the South Devon Steam Railway website for more information on their facilities and costs for a combined visit.. We can supply "butterfly kits" for the classroom so the children can watch caterpillars feed and grow, turn into a pupa and emerge as a beautiful butterfly. Further details on request. There is a children’s play area and lots of room for picnic lunches.
We also have free parking for cars and coaches and are just a couple of minutes away from Buckfast Abbey.