| Recent News from Wells |
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| Make it coastal biodiversity! |
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| Working with the Norfolk Coast Project's Sustainable Development Fund we have embarked on series of works in our Grounds. We now have a courtyard seating area for 30 children, as well as two seating areas for adults which are flanked by butterfly and sensory flower raised beds. We also have a new kitchen courtyard garden, with raised beds, storage areas, compost bins and a greenhouse. This will mean visiting children can become involved with some growing activities. The next phase of the 'make it coastal biodiversity' project will involve providing residential visits for children from schools not currently undertaking school trips and also partnership work between these children and artists. |
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| New activities |
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| The teaching team at Wells have worked hard over the last 12 months to review the activities we offer. In addition to revamping the favourites we have three brand new activites to offer. 'Teamwork challenge' is a series of problem-solving challenges set up in the woods for teams of children to rotate around. 'What should the Grays building be?' is a chance to investigate a real geographical issue. 'Living in an Iron Age village' is a chance to immerse ouselves in the life of people who lived in the past with the help of Living Historians Steve and Jo Ellis. Two futher activites will soon be ready to pilot: 'GPS Town Trail' and 'Maptastic!'. What this space...... |
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| Teacher Swap |
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| To improve cross-centre working between Holt Hall and Wells two of the Field Teachers are swapping roles for the Autumn Term. At Wells we will be waving goodbye to Tom for a while and welcoming Julia who has already spent several weeks with us. We're hoping this will enhance our teaching and learning through the sharing of ideas. |
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| Open Day |
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| We held an Open Day on Saturday April 18th 2009. This was an opportunity for any interested people to visit the Centre. Visitors were able to explore the building, have a cup of tea and a home-made cake, plant a sunflower, make a model minibeast, chat to our staff and find out more about what we do. Between 1100 and 1500 nearly 300 visitors came through the doors; many remembering their visits to us when they were children! |
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| Praise from the inspectors! |
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| We recently had our very own 'OFSTED style' inspection which summarised that Wells Field Studies Centre provides very good education with outstanding features. This was part of the new 'quality badge' scheme being piloted by the Field Studies Council. Everyone at the Centre is proud of our acheivements and planning our next steps for improvement. |
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| 40th Birthday Party |
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| On the evening of 23rd October 2008 staff, both old and new, supporters of the Centre and pupils from Astley Primary School celebrated the 40th anniversary of Wells Field Studies Centre opening. We estimate that, since opening, we have supported over 100,000 Norfolk youngsters to learn about our amazing environment. |
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| Special Offers! |
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| We still have a few remaining slots for residential visits during the current academic year. We are offering special discounts on these 'late availability' slots. |
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| Just for Teachers..... |
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| As part of the Environmental and Outdoor Learning Team we host and facilitate INSET. We have 'using drama strategies for learning for sustainability' and 'climate of change' happening at Wells during the Spring. Why not come and join us for a relaxed, fun and informative day? |
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| A new addition to the Teaching Team |
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| We have recently altered our structure within the teaching team at Wells and now have a new Teaching Assistant post to help with the delivery of courses on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We hope that this new way of working will improve the service our visiting schools receive. Wendy Coe has now settled in to life at the Centre and will be supporting groups arriving in the new year. |
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| What do you think? |
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| We really care about tehviews of our visiting schools and think you should play a part in shaping our future. We are currently trying to engage with existing users to establish exactly what you think of us! If you'd like to feed in any comments please contact Nell Seal. |
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| Shaker Style and cookies! |
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| We have a lovely new kitchen for our visiting staff and young people to use. We hope you enjoy using this pleasant airy space. We are trying to make time on our residential courses for children to make healthy snacks for one another like our, now famous, raisin oatmeal cookies! |
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