KS1 and KS2 programme

Here are our current KS1 and KS2 programme sessions at our Education Centre in Hyde Park. You can book either a half or full day depending on which sessions you choose from the list below. Once you’ve selected your sessions, just fill in our enquiry form and we can arrange your visit.

Core programme; available all year round:

Senses (KS1)

Come on a sensory journey as we explore the local environment. Use your senses to compare different textures, sounds, smells and tastes in our wildlife garden then look for different animals and birds in the wider park.

A child learns about nature by looking at a tree through a magnifying glass

Life Cycles (KS1)

Using real animals learn about growing and changing. Have a look at spring out in the park and think about how we can help birds care for their chicks.

Habitats (KS1&2) - full day session

Choose between a focus on food chains or classification.

Visit the different habitats in Hyde Park and find out how they provide the basic needs for plants and animals. Hunt for mini-beasts under logs, in the pond or out in the meadow. Use binoculars to find a wealth of bird life on the lake and surrounding woodland. Identify, name and classify common local animals OR find food chains and feeding groups in our woodland and pond invertebrates. 

NEW! Maps and Orienteering (KS2)

Learn to use compasses, maps and keys before setting off on an orienteering adventure around Hyde Park. Locate landmarks on an Ordnance Survey map as you search for the next clue. Create a key to a map of our garden to take home. 

Dirty Hands, Green Fingers (KS1&2)

Find out how plants grow and learn to identify common plants and trees as we explore the garden and park looking at their structure. Act out the plant life cycle and make an art work using natural resources. Older children will take a closer look at flowers and pollination in the life cycle of plants. All levels will plant a seed to take home. 

Sustainability (KS2)

Find out what we have done to try and make the Education Centre as sustainable as possible. How can you do the same at home? Explore the distribution of natural resources and investigate renewable energy sources. Split into teams to create your own wind turbine out of recycled materials and take the best one back to school.

Talk About the Weather (KS2)

Observe and record the day’s weather and relate it to seasonal patterns. Use simple equipment to measure wind speed and temperature before recording our data. Make a windmill to take back to school. KS2 students will use compasses to investigate direction of weather patterns and employ fieldwork skills to observe, measure and record weather conditions.

Pirates in the Park (KS2) - full day session

Children making pirate flagsScience, geography, history and art combine in this exciting day-long adventure! Come dressed as pirates to navigate your way across the park and find your escape ship at the Diana Memorial Playground. We’ll upcycle various materials to create a floating raft, paint pirate flags and use weather measuring equipment as we immerse ourselves in the world of pirates. A cross-curricular day of excitement!

Spring term

Exploring Spring (KS1&2) - available after February half term

Explore the park as the trees begin to blossom and early bees visit spring flowering bulbs. Find out how this fits into the life process of reproduction in plants. Observe and describe the changing seasons and how animals are taking advantage of warmer weather. Identify local trees and then make a seasonal artwork with natural materials to take home.

Winter Art (KS1&2)

Explore the beauty of a winter’s day while creating a ground collage using the colour, pattern and texture of natural resources. Compare your work to that of some great outdoor artists and sculptors. Take home a leaf rubbing or sketch of a tree silhouette. Use magnifying glasses to find hidden patterns in nature and KS2 children can search for 2D & 3D shapes and different angles.

Summer term

Exploring Summer (KS1&2)

Observe and describe the changing seasons and how animals are taking advantage of the warmth. Meet a tree while blindfolded as we explore the park in all its summer finery. Enjoy our scavenger hunt and other outdoor activities before creating an artwork out of natural materials to take home.

Focus on Life in the Pond, Trees or Undergrowth (KS1 & 2)

Hunt for mini-beasts in our garden and the park, then identify and examine your finds using magnifiers and/or microscopes. Look at how the organisms have adapted to their habitats and try grouping them after finding similarities and differences. Or, explore food chains and recognise predator and prey, producer and consumer.

Autumn term

Exploring Autumn (KS1&2)

Meadow sweepingExplore the park as the trees put on their beautiful autumn display, discovering different seeds, nuts, berries and fungi as we go. Find out how they fit into the life process of reproduction. Observe and describe the changing seasons and how animals are preparing for winter. Create some leaf art to take home. KS2 students may also investigate seed dispersal.

Winter Art (KS1&2)

Explore the beauty of a winter’s day while creating a ground collage using the colour, pattern and texture of natural resources. Compare your work to that of some great outdoor artists and sculptors. Take home a leaf rubbing or sketch of a tree silhouette. Use magnifying glasses to find hidden patterns in nature and KS2 children can search for 2D & 3D shapes and different angles.

Planning your visit

Have you chosen which sessions you’d like to join? Fill out this form and enquire about your visit!

And if you'd like more information, just drop us a line:

Phone: 0207 036 8056

Email: [email protected]