Norfolk River Visits for Schools
Here you will find information that will help you run class sessions on rivers, for both out of school and classroom activities, and find out what you can do as a school to help safeguard our rare chalk rivers.
Norfolk Rivers Trust
If you are looking for a venue that can accommodate school parties with safe access to a river for dipping and outdoor education work then please visit the Norfolk Rivers Trust website.
Sites used include Natural Surroundings, near Holt, where there is a boardwalk leading to a large educational wildlife hide where you can run sessions overlooking the river Glaven, with a dipping platform close by. There are also toilets, parking, a gift shop and tea room here.
Rivers visited can include the Glaven, Stiffkey, Gaywood and Hun. See the Norfolk Rivers Trust for site details.
The Norfolk Rivers Trust can offer the following tailor-made trips for KS2 up to GCSE groups in North Norfolk;
- Food chains, habitats and aquatic invertebrates – kick sampling, using identification keys, using scientific methods and equipment
- Water quality – Test basic water parameters, conduct biotic scores
- Rivers – Bradshaw model, river restoration, chalk streams
- Fishing school at Bayfield – up to 8 students at a time
River visit equipment
The Field Studies Council have produced a Freshwater Trail with easy key and images to help you identify common pond and river species which may be purchased here: Field Studies Council. You may be able to borrow these from the Norfolk Coast Partnership or the Norfolk Rivers Trust.
Maps, pond dipping equipment including nets, trays, petri dishes, forceps and buckets may be borrowed from the Norfolk Rivers Trust. Please enquire:
Norfolk Rivers Trust: 01263 711299
Bio security and equipment hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of invasive species and water borne diseases. Please follow the guidance below;
River resources for schools
If you are taking your children pond dipping the attached survey form and guidance could help:
An 8 minute video all about Norfolk’s chalk streams can be viewed at: Youtube
Norfolk river geodiversity
To find out more about class sessions relating to geology and rivers click on the PDFs below which have been prepared by the Norfolk Geodiversity Partnership.