RSPB Medmerry and Pagham and Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserves

Immerse your class in hands-on learning with an educational school visit to one of our fabulous nature reserves.

Students visiting Medmerry will see the dynamic nature of a managed retreat and will observe examples of hard and soft engineering strategies, groynes, rock armour, sea wall and evidence of beach nourishment. Field work sessions here are relevant for GCSEs and A Level exams and supporting case studies can be found on the Geographical Associations website.

Pagham Harbour offers the unique opportunity to visit a saltmarsh habitat and find out about its food chains, plants, invertebrates and wading birds.

The River Arun runs through our Pulborough Brooks nature reserve and the children are taken right down to the riverside for their hands-on pond and ditch investigations.

All our sessions are led by RSPB education professionals who are specialists in their field and able to engage all abilities, while helping you meet your learning objectives.

It’s a great opportunity to inspire your children to talk about their science and geography learning while fully engaging in the great outdoors.

We have curriculum linked half or full day sessions to suit children from foundation phase to through to A Level. Our sessions are varied and well-paced and aim to get pupils working scientifically and using technical vocabulary in context. We also aim to build pupils’ resilience and character through our fun and active sessions. Suggestions are also made for potential ongoing learning back in the classroom.

Each programme is designed to last two hours. Sessions run from 10am to 12pm and then 12.30 to 2.30pm. Two programmes can be combined to make a whole-day visit.

Our sessions are linked to the curriculum and take place in our wonderful woodland, hedgerows, rivers and ponds for nature. Visiting teachers are invited to subscribe to our e-newsletter which contains useful projects and teacher blogs to support continued work outside the classroom.

We have the LOtC Quality Badge.

We offer curriculum-based science and geography programmes from foundation phase through to A Level.

See further details of our sessions on our website.

Our sessions are aimed at groups of 30 children. If your group is larger or you have more than one group, then please contact us for more information.

We use our RSPB age appropriate resources and equipment to support our curriculum linked sessions. See the session outlines on our website.

We also have a wealth of teacher resources and ideas to continue your learning journey with us. You will find more information on our website.

Schools are welcome to take photographs of their own children.

A generic risk assessment is available on the website.

Please contact our Learning Officer using the email above.

Full details of pricing can be found on our website.

Although we have a classroom, our sessions are held outdoors so we recommend students are dressed appropriately for the weather. This may be waterproof boots and raincoats, or it may be sunhats and sunblock cream.

RSPB Learning staff are first aid trained to Appointed Persons status and will carry a basic first aid kit.

We suggest children please bring a packed lunch with them and extra drinks. We provide a location to store lunchboxes and for the children to eat. For more information, see our website.

Accessible toilets are available. Please make us aware of any special needs at the time of booking so we can discuss necessary arrangements or adaptations to our sessions.

School sessions are offered on weekdays during term times all year round.

“Outstanding introduction to my new topic – the children were immersed in their learning and I will be able to draw on their experiences for a series of lessons.”

“Amazing as always, well trained staff, excellent facilities and fabulous setting with educational activities.”