Education

Inspiring Outdoor Ideas

 

Many of the suggested activities below map across to the National curriculum; for example, PSHE, Geography, History and Physical Education. We can also design bespoke experiences to fit your current themes and interests. These activities can be self-led by teaching staff or group leaders. We also have qualified, DBS-checked teaching staff who can deliver them for you for a supplemental cost. Please enquire.

 

Wolstonbury Walk Day Out

Bring your students on a great day out to Wolstonbury Hill. The day includes: 

- a map to guide you around Wolstonbury Hill ancient monuments walk

- A talk by the landowner about the site followed by a screening of the film '200 million years to the bronze age' 

- homemade veggie stew

 

The History Walk

No one really knows what the earthwork on top of Wolstonbury Hill is. Students go on a guided exploratory walk, and speculation is encouraged. Teachers can use English Heritage resources to find out more about the Bronze age, and prepare students for the visit.

 

Read more.

 

Each student is given a map of the site and encouraged to label it as they explore.

 

We also offer screenings in the flint barn of a 25-minute film

‘Two million years to the Bronze Age’ - filmed on the site. This can be booked to be screened before or after the history walk at an additional cost.

 

The South Downs National Park Walk

Students discover more about the National Park and they plan and undertake a walk, starting and ending at Chantry farm, where they can eat a packed lunch or cook their own. We recommend the teaching resource pack ‘The South Downs National Park’ lesson 2 to help teachers plan this walk.

 

Read more.

 

Lesson 4 in this series on habitats makes an excellent consolidation activity once students are back in the classroom.

 

Wildlife Discovery

In this walk, students track down evidence of both farm animals and local wildlife from a welfare-friendly perspective, learning about how to care for their environment and what to do to protect wildlife and nature. Students might also be lucky enough to meet our barn owls and can watch a short film about them to find out more.

 

We suggest this guide for the walk.

 

Students can find out more about the habitats and wildlife in the area by watching these two videos in preparation.

 

Duke of Edinburgh Award

We have welcomed many Duke of Edinburgh groups to undertake the expedition part of the Award at Chantry Farm. Groups can hike or cycle to us and then explore the local area and South Downs National Park.

 

Chantry Farm welcomes groups to camp from D of E groups, to support them in completing the expedition section of the Award. We are happy to help with Team Goal ideas if needed.

Getting here +Health and Safety 

 

Walking routes across the Downs and local footpath networks are extensive. 

 

Parking for up to 12 vehicles and a large sized minibus. Pre-booked only.

 

Public Transport: 

  • A23 bus stop for Brighton and Horsham. For Mid-Sussex stops 10 min walk to M&S.
  • London 50 mins by train.
  • Hassocks train station: 40 minute walk.

 

If you’re coming from overseas, there is a ferry port at Newhaven, and one at Dover.

 

Health and Safety:

  • Chantry Farm is a licensed campsite, covered by public and employers liability.
  • Annually inspected by Mid-Sussex District Council.
  • We have a general campsite risk assessment compiled with MSDC.  
  • Happy to help schools and providers to adapt/develop their own.
  • The gorgoues mineral-rich chalk aquifer water from our private borehole is tested 
  • annually in accordance with licencing and other requirements. 
  • There are always staff on site and the atmosphere is kept intentionally calm.