Hampstead Heath Schools Programme London

Hampstead Heath is the ultimate outdoor classroom where students can explore, have fun, and develop their knowledge and skills.

We offer a range of hands-on education sessions, for all ages from early years to A-level, which support the National Curriculum and deliver enjoyable, authentic and memorable experiences. The sessions cover a range of subjects including biology, geography, art, history and literacy.

Gain from the expert knowledge of our team of educators.  Our friendly and enthusiastic staff provide a warm welcome, facilitate a safe and well organised visit, and share their passion for learning.

Full details of our programmes can be found on our website www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/hampsteadheatheducation

We deliver sessions in the three main areas of Hampstead Heath:

Parliament Hill Fields – Our multi-sensory education centre and two teaching gardens provide safe, engaging and friendly environments for students to learn.

Golders Hill Park and Zoo – From the Glassroom classroom​ we deliver a range of sessions from our primary programme. Students can explore the zoo and butterfly house to learn about tropical butterflies, lemurs, owls and more

Old Orchard garden

The Old Orchard garden is a beautiful space to explore nature and has a pond, mini-beast hunting areas and a compost toilet. It is located on the North side of the Heath near Kenwood House.

Hampstead Heath is as close to countryside as you can get in London with expanses of grasslands and woodlands perfect for exploring – making it the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Since 2005, students have been inspired, engaged and amazed by this amazing outdoor classroom.

Yes, we have LOtC.

We offer a range of different sessions for Early years to A-level, covering many different topics including:

• Habitats
• Maps and Compasses
• Plants and Seeds
• Stone Age
• Biology Fieldwork
• Descriptive Writing
• Survival Skills

Our sessions tend to be roughly two hours long, and we look to agree learning objectives with teachers, before the visit.

At Hampstead Heath, we have been working with local secondary teachers to develop a range of different ways to use the Heath. As well as booking sessions, secondary teachers can also:

• Download free teaching resources for use on Hampstead Heath or in the classroom.
• Borrow one of our loan boxes containing equipment to carry out activities on Hampstead Heath or in the classroom.

You can see the resource that we have on offer on our website, www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/hhsecondaryschools.

Groups are encouraged to create a record of their trip.

All of our activities and teaching sites are thoroughly risk assessed. Risk assessments are available for the responsible adults, upon request. We also encourage teachers to come on a site visit in preparation for their trip.

For further information and to book a session please contact us.

Email: heath.education@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Tel: 020 7482 7073

State schools

Half day (2 hours) £99 per session (up to 30 children), £49.50 per 15 additional children.

Full day (2 x 2 hour sessions) £198.00 (up to 30 children), £99 per 15 additional children.

Independent schools

Half day (2 hours) £129 per session (up to 30 children), £65 per 15 additional children.

Full day (2 x 2 hour sessions) £258 (up to 30 children), £129 per 15 additional children.

All prices are inclusive of VAT.

Need help with costs for your visit?

If you are a London school with at least 35% of pupils in receipt of Pupil Premium funding you can apply to the City of London School Visits Fund. This consists of grants of up to £300 to help with costs for visiting a variety of City of London venues including Hampstead Heath. This is currently available for visits taking place before the end of March 2019. Visit the School Visits Fund website to learn more.

Both students and accompanying adults should be suitably dressed for outdoor learning. We believe there is no such thing as bad weather to enjoy the outdoors, but unsuitable clothing can put a damper on any trip.

For cold/wet weather: wear sturdy (waterproof) shoes. We will take the group off path at times and the ground might be wet and muddy. Bring a waterproof coat if it looks like rain and enough warm clothes.

For hot/sunny weather: wear sturdy walking shoes, hats and sun screen.

Our education staff are first aid trained and are supported by first aiders in the wider Hampstead Heath team. We would always recommend bringing a first-aider when bringing children out of the classroom.

At the Education Centre, Parliament Hill Fields, Toilets, hand washing facilities and a lunchroom are easily accessible for all users.In the wider area, we have several play areas, public toilets and cafes.

At Golders Hill Park a lunchroom is available to book. Toilets and hand washing facilities are at the Golders Hill Café, and there is a playground, a zoo and further toilets in the park.

At the Old Orchard garden, there is a compost toilet. We are not too far from Kenwood House which has toilets, and a café.

Our Education Centre and the toilets there are fully accessible.

We ask groups to let us know about SEND pupils when booking a trip in order for us to cater to their needs as best as possible.

We are open on week days all year around. Our education sessions are roughly two hours long and are usually either in the morning (10am-12pm) or afternoon (1pm-3pm). However, we can have some flexibility with this, particularly in quieter periods.

‘A very hands on workshop with opportunities for children to find mini beasts and identify them. We loved making minibeasts using clay’ – Reception – Bugliest Bug

‘It was absolutely fantastic – we really enjoyed the session and the children wee engaged in all the activities’ – year 1 – secret life of butterflies

‘Excellent quality of teaching – fantastic rapport with kids’ – Plant Detectives – Year 1

‘Wonderful staff, knowledgeable and friendly – children felt able to approach, ask for help’ – Bugliest Bug – Year 1

‘Great mix of fieldwork, experiments and getting really wet! – Soil Scientists – Year 3

‘A thoroughly enjoyable and interactive afternoon – children loved every minute’ -Orienteering – Year 3

‘It was great – the children learnt loads and we haven’t even started the topic!’ – Guess who at the zoo – Year 4

‘It was a fun, creative way for children to develop their imaginations’ – Eco Art – year 4

‘We loved learning to make a fire and a shelter and working as a team!’ – Modern Survivor – Year 5

‘The students were certainly into the projects and had a very good experience’ – Survival Skills – Year 7

‘Fantastic experience – well and enthusiastically led with interesting and appropriate activities.’ – Bespoke SEND session – KS4