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Click on any photograph to enlarge
We are happy to cater for group visits (schoolchildren, beavers, cubs, rainbows, brownies, etc). An illustration of a typical day (with photographs) that children will enjoy on an educational visit with us follows the information on this page.. We offer children of all ages and abilities the unique opportunity to observe and study British Wildlife at close hand from a purpose-built hide and wildlife enclosures. Foxes, badgers, owls and squirrels are just some of the animals visitors can see. We offer plenty of "hands on" experiences - dare to hold a snake, meet our spiky friend the hedgehog, meet a tortoise or feel just how soft a barn owl's feathers really are. National Curriculum Subjects: KS1 and KS2, include Science, English, Maths, Art & Design, citizenship and knowledge and understanding of the world. We offer education packs and worksheets for the children
If you would like to make a
booking or require information, please either
NEW FOR 2008 -"WILD THINGS ROADSHOW Good news for schools in the Castle Morpeth Area Earlier this year The Sanctuary secured a £2,500 grant to deliver a new pilot scheme which we called "Wild Things Roadshow". Our directive was to visit 20 first schools taking along some animals and lots of fun activities for children. Our new outreach education programme included a barn owl, a snake and a hedgehog for the children to learn about and offer the opportunity to handle too, followed by art activities, games and a wildlife quiz.
We are also able to bring the Roadshow to schools outwith these areas, but will have to charge a fee of £60 Comments taken from our visitor book: “A truly magical and life enhancing evening! We all learnt and experienced so much – and so much more to learn about still. We will be back again soon. Thank you all for all you are achieving” 1st Newton on the Moor Brownies – 19/4/05 “An excellent outing for schoolchildren and adults. The information given by the guides was pitched at exactly the right level for the children. The balance between education and play was just right. Altogether a most enjoyable day” Ellington First School - 25/7/05 “The children loved the animals and the staff made all of the animals accessible to children with varying disabilities. An excellent day out” Oakleigh Gardens School – 23/5/05 “What a brilliant night (we may never be in Guides’ Hall again!!). Thank you to all the family and Eileen. Thank you Megan x, Stefan x, Kim & Allan x (We’ll all sleep well tonight!” 4th Morpeth Guide Co – 10/6/05 “Well organised, plenty of variety in exhibits and activities for groups to enjoy in “Carousel” fashion. Super gift shop. We all learned a lot about animal care and wildlife behaviour” Broomley First School, Stocksfield – 29/6/05 “We
would like to give it 10/10 because we like the play area, the gift shop and
seeing all the animals – everything!” The
children of Plessey Road School – pre-school group – 30/6/05 “We have had a wonderful fun-filled day at The Sanctuary. There was lots to see and do and the children had a great time, the park was wonderful and they have learned a lot about the animals. The staff are all warm and friendly and all do a fantastic job. We would definitely like to come back in the future. Thanks for a lovely day” Ashington Minors – 1/7/05 “There are some brilliant and fantastic things here! I liked feeding the donkeys and horses and the goats. It wasn’t a very nice day, but I enjoyed going into the fox pen with Allan. It was good stroking the biggest pig we’ve ever seen. Thank you very much for letting us come to visit you” Child from Seahouses First School – 6/7/05 “We had a fantastic time – it’s so child friendly and we got a lovely welcome. I think you all do a wonderful job taking in the animals and caring for them – thank you” St John’s Nursery and Little Cherub’s pre-school – 7/7/05 “We had a wonderful day – excellent talks, friendly staff. The children loved it! Thank you very much!” Allendale Middle School – 19/7/05 “The children seemed excited by everything – we didn’t have enough time!!!” “Little Acorns” pre-school – 18/11/05 “The Beavers had a great time feeding the goats and looking for foxes. The pig was great and scary. Play area and Christmas crafts a hit. Also really enjoyed meeting Star the Barn Owl and Monty the snake” 1st Whittingham Beavers – 3/12/05 “We had a lovely day. The information provided was excellent and the children loved meeting the animals” St Roberts RC Nursery – 3/5/06 “Thank you very much for a wonderful experience for our children. Activities were pitched at just the right level, although some of us were a bit overawed!! Very well organised and a treat for the kids to see animals they have never seen before. Thanks again” Cheviot Nursery, Westerhope – 4/5/06 “What a wonderful day. Very well organised, friendly, helpful staff. Engaging activities have all contributed to a well-balanced stress-free day. Thank you, I’m sure we’ll be back!” Whitley Memorial C of E School, Bedlington – 9/5/06 “A
highly enjoyable visit – and even more educational than anticipated! Thank you – we hope you go from strength to strength” Year
6, Eastwood Middle School, Prudhoe – 17/5/06 “Fantastic! 56 children and 11 adults and all enjoyed it! Thank you!” Lindisfarne Primary School, Gateshead –6/7/06 “Well
organised and informative for children – lovely day!
Thank you” “Well
organised and informative for children – lovely day!
Thank you” Choppington
First School 12/7/06 "Very
interesting and lots to do. Staff
are excellent – we all loved it – thank you”
Allendale Middle School –
19/7/06 “We really enjoyed our visit to your wonderful wildlife centre. You obviously do a fantastic job and we, as a staff, would like to make a donation in order for you to continue to make such a difference to animals in need of care and a home. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Kind Regards” Mowden Hall Pre-Prep staff – 16/12/06 "Animals are so nice and friendly. I am really enjoying my visit" “The
animals are really looked after well, I am glad I came here!” “We all had a wonderful time. Very friendly staff, excellent activities and of course interesting animals. Well worth a visit” "We
all had a great time - thanks for everything" Westfield Girls School, Gosforth – 12/3/07
“Everyone really enjoyed the day. Thank you so much for giving us a really great day! The girls really learnt a lot. Thanks again” Cramlington Division Rainbows “An extremely enjoyable day for children and staff. The layout of The Sanctuaryy and planningg of the events for children were just right for our age group. We felt the health and safety aspect and education aspects were excellent. Thanks for a warm welcome and a very interesting visit” Newcastle Prep School Reception Classes 4-5 yrs old – 15/5/07
In September 2006 we were visited by the 2nd Birtley and the 4th and 9th Chester-le-Street brownies for an educational visit. As is our practice with large groups, they were split into smaller groups to allow better 'hands on' experience with the animals they were about to meet. Please click on any photograph to view a larger more detailed size. First of all we had our 'meet & greet' where we explain to the children our aims and the work we actually carry out here at The Sanctuary and tell them what they are about to learn and which animals they will specifically meet.
The educational talks were on Star, our Barn Owl and Monty the snake, both of whom were were very popular, following which the children went down to the hide to view the foxes and badger having their 'breakfast'
The 'hands on' experience with Monty is always popular and even the adults managed to conquer their fear of snakes and agreed to 'wear' Monty as the latest fashion accessory!
After meeting the animals, it was time to have their lunch, then it was time to just have some fun in our playpark, meeting the rest of our animals and enjoying a pony ride on Charlie, our pony.
Then it was time to say goodbye after what we all hoped was a most enjoyable day - we think the photographs certainly give that impression! Here are a few letters sent to us by children in Year 6 at Allendale Middle School telling us how much they had enjoyed their visit and what they learned and enjoy most about it.
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