Education offer
The NFNPA has a dedicated education and youth team who can meet your group for an inspiring experience in your setting or in the New Forest.
We support learning through hands-on, interactive activities that foster curiosity, connection and care for the Forest.
Activity options off-site:
Our off-site activities take place in the heart of the New Forest National Park. We have a selection of locations we can use depending on the requirements of your group. We also organise the permissions, so from planning, to pre-visit, to trip, you are supported along the way.
Below are descriptions of our most popular sessions which can be tailored to your group:
Explore your National Park:Find out about what makes the New Forest so special. Learn about its commoning heritage and the mosaic of habitats home to a myriad of wildlife. How is this special place protected? Location:Bolderwood, Whitefield Moor or Anderwood. Suitable for:KS1, KS2 and KS3. Maximum 50 participants (including adults). Free to under 18s. |
River experience:A river experience starting from its source, with fieldwork techniques. Location:Whitefield Moor. Suitable for:KS2 and KS3. Maximum 50 participants (including adults). Free to under 18s. |
Coastal experience:A coastal experience following the journey of beach material from cliff to spit, looking at coastal erosion, coastal management and coastal landforms. Location:Milford-on-Sea Suitable for:KS2 and KS3. Maximum 50 participants (including adults). Free to under 18s. |
Why is the New Forest special?:Slow down and ‘be’ in nature, using a selection of nature connection activities to be curious and discover the natural world at a deeper level. Minibus only – max 15. Free to under 18s. |
In-school sessions:
We offer a range of in-school sessions for local schools and groups including assemblies, pre visits or follow-up visits. All sessions come with a variety of resources that bring the New Forest, its habitats and special qualities to life in your setting.
Plastic not fantastic:Start with a poem about litter and then break up into a carousel of linked activities. Assembly 15 minutes plus answering questions. Session:Approximately 30 minutes. Suitable for:KS1 and KS2. |
Climate Champions:Watch the ‘Climate Champions’ video and decide what habitat is the best at storing carbon. Spend time looking at each habitat through a variety of interactive activities. What can you do to help? The video length is 10 minutes, plus answering questions. Session:Approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes. Suitable for:KS1 and KS2. |
Welly Wander:Watch ‘Welly Wander’ on her first exploration in the New Forest. Look at the New Forest code and find out what roles there are to look after the Forest. What are the impacts and how can we manage them? Design a poster to help look after the New Forest. The video length is 10 minutes, plus answering questions. Session:Approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes. Suitable for:KS1 and KS2. |
Climate champions:Find out about the mosaic of habituate in the New Forest. Use the nature trunk to explore hands-on resources, such as animal furs and bones, to bring the session to life. Session:Approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes. Suitable for:KS1 and KS2. |
Ground nesting birds:Watch a short film about ground nesting birds. Find out where they live and the adaptations the have to survive. Session:Approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes. Suitable for:KS1 and KS2. |
Green careers:Find out about the range of green careers there are. Available for career talks, workshops and fairs, or through joining our work experience programme. Suitable for:KS1 and KS2. Free to under 18s. |
People and Wildlife Ranger in-school sessions:Available year-round to all schools within the New Forest District Council area outside of the National Park. Find out about the National Park and the special qualities, habitats and wildlife of the New Forest, before learning about the threats it faces, the role of a ranger, the New Forest code, and how everyone can play their part in enjoying and protecting this amazing place. Session:Approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes. Suitable for:KS1, KS2, KS3 and KS4. To book or find out more, email: jim.day@newforestnpa.gov.uk |
We also offer a range of youth activities, to find out more please email: education@newforestnpa.gov.uk
