School Visits

School visits are not always easy to organise and require dedication from the teacher in charge.  We acknowledge the trust placed in us when you arrange a visit and we aim to make this process as simple as possible, removing unnecessary paperwork, providing detailed timetables for your day, and by placing as much downloadable information as possible on this web site.

We offer a unique science experience which will endorse past, present and future learning in the classroom.  All supported by our dedicated team of enthusiastic staff and volunteers who are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau and many of whom are registered SETPOINT Science & Engineering Ambassadors

Key  stage Activity Summary

Costs

Hands-on exhibits (indoors & out) and Bridge Building
£4.50 per pupil
Telescope Tours / Science Shows (when available)
75 pence per pupil

Team Challenges
£5.95 per pupil

Twilight Visits
£9.25 per pupil

Opening Times

10 am – 6 pm
April, May, June, July, August, September
10 am – 5 pm
January, February, March, October, November, December

Facilities

Parking

Parking is free for all vehicles.
There is a designated hard standing area for coaches located a short 100 metres (approx.) walk from the science centre reception.
Coaches are NOT permitted to drive onto Bradley Road.
Cars & Minibuses may use the car parking field immediately adjacent to the entrance.
We offer free admission for your coach drivers (plus a free cup of tea / coffee
from our café).
Disabled access is at the rear of the main science centre building, with 2
parking bays and ramped, wheelchair access.

Café

Our café is normally open all day serving drinks, sandwiches, light snacks etc. Schools are welcome to pre-order lunch boxes (or similar) – especially if they are at the centre as part of a residential visit to the area.
Pupils must always be accompanied in the café by a supervising adult.

Shop

Our fantastic Gift Shop is located in the entrance reception.  It stocks a wide range of exciting pocket money science toys, souvenirs, books  and teacher resources – prices start at just 15 pence!
If time does not permit your group to use the gift shop, then why not order
Goody Bags in advance – from £2.
Pupils must always be accompanied in the shop by a supervising adult.

On the Day, Lunch Area & Personal Belongings

A member of the science centre team will meet you at our reception and lead the group to your base for the day – this is usually the large, white geodesic dome.  There will be a short welcome & safety talk before you access the site and exhibits. The timetable for your day will also be distributed to your group leaders (please not that in order to save paper, we do not give a timetable to every adult – just the group leaders).  You leave bags, lunches, coats etc in this dome and you come back here to eat picnics.  The geodesic dome is heated in cold weather, and is surrounded by grass and paving which can be used for outdoor picnics in better weather.

Please Note: Our risk assessment does not permit school groups to use our main picnic benches which are located beside the pond.

The geodesic dome is not locked and Science Projects Ltd cannot take any responsibility of loss or damage to personal items.  School pupils should be discouraged from bringing items of value i.e. IPODs, mobile phones etc.

 What format does a visit usually take?

In your confirmation letter, we will have asked you to divide the children into a certain number of groups and each group leader will be given a timetable to follow with times for the bridge building workshop, telescope tour, shop, lunch etc. and you will be told where to meet with science centre staff for the activities. 
In between these activities is the opportunity to explore all of the hands-on exhibits. There is no set order in which to visit the hands-on corridor, but the exhibits are displayed in themed exhibition areas.  The group should explore together, one exhibition area at a time, rather than spread out along the corridor.
The group will also be allocated time to the outdoor exhibit areas of the Discovery Park and Water Park (weather permitting).

What Key Stage?

There is something for all Key Stages at the centre and we welcome groups from across the range of school and educational establishments.  Some pupils will benefit from, and enjoy, the play element of the hands-on exhibits, not even realising that they are learning at the same time.  Others will adopt a different approach according to their own level of understanding and will have fun as they explore new principles.  Bridge Building Workshops, Telescope Tours and Science Shows are all aimed at the age and ability of each individual group.

Is the centre suitable for Special Educational Needs?

SEN groups of all ages are welcome at the centre and the majority of the site is wheelchair accessible. The multi-sensory nature of many of the hands-on exhibits makes them ideal for all ability levels.
Bridge Building Workshops and Telescope Tours can be adjusted to suit the capability of each individual group.
Carers are admitted free of charge, to a maximum 1-1 ratio.

Please discuss special needs (especially wheelchair access) and any required facilities at the time of booking.
Parking for ramped, wheelchair access is at the rear of the centre.
 

How many pupils & adults can we bring?

Pupils

The centre can take up to 200 pre-booked children at one time. The structured timetable of your day will ensure that each group moves around the centre to each of the different areas and activities.

We strongly recommend that you book as far in advance as possible, especially if you are bringing a large year group.

Our aim is for all children to have a positive visit to the centre. To help achieve  this, please ensure the children:

• Know who their group leader is
• Always stay with their group and supervising adult
• Know what to do if they become detached from their group
• Are encouraged to ask lots of questions at the appropriate times
• Have loads of fun!

Adults

Accompanying, supervising adults are admitted free of charge, to a maximum
1-1 ratio.
Our suggested minimum ratio is:
Infants 1:6 pupils
Juniors 1:8 pupils
Seniors 1:12 pupils

Please advise us at the time of booking if you are bringing a large number of adult support for children with special educational needs.

The supervision & support of accompanying adults is vital to the children.  Please ensure the adults:

• Know which children are in their group, and their allocated group
  number.
•  Are aware of your focus & aims of the visit.
• Understand that they are expected to ensure the children behave
  appropriately and follow the centre’s Code of Conduct.
• Keep to the issued timetable on the day (unless instructed otherwise by
  a member of science centre staff).
• Encourage the children to use each exhibit correctly, reading the
  instructions and taking turns etc.
• Ensure that science centre staff & volunteers are listened to &
  respected.
• Turn off their mobile phones and do not smoke (we are a totally non smoking site and request that adults return to the parking field if they need to smoke).

It is important that children and adults dress appropriately for the weather conditions with sensible footwear (not flip flops or high heels) and clothing.  You will have to go outdoors to access some areas and it can be cold, muddy  etc. 
Everyone should bring a packed lunch and sufficient to drink, although the café will be open. 
We do not have a water fountain, but we can refill water bottles in hot weather
from our café.

How long does a visit last?

Allowing for travelling time, a visit to the centre will fill your normal school day.  Schools should aim to arrive as soon as possible after our 10 am opening time. To complete a full programme of activities you should aim for a minimum of 3 hours, but preferably 3 ½ - 4 hours.

Teacher Preview Visits

Visit organisers are offered a complimentary visit to the centre at anytime when the centre is open.  This is highly recommended as an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the site & the facilities etc.
Where possible, please phone in advance to make an appointment and we will endeavour to have a member of staff available to answer your questions. Please identify yourself on arrival and sign in at reception.

How to Book

Please make an initial enquiry to check availability of dates and you can then phone, write, fax or email the details.
Please ask to speak to Jo Harris
Tel:01323 832731   Fax: 01323 832741
Email: schools@the-observatory.org

When making a booking please have the following information ready

•  Preferred date (plus an alternative)
•  Expected arrival and departure times
•  Number of pupils and what age group
•  Number of accompanying adults
•  Whether telescope tours or science shows (if available) are required
•  Full address details of the school
•  Any special needs within the group (please discuss facilities and any special requirements at the time of booking)
•  The name of the teacher in charge of the visit
•  Whether pupils will be using the shop (or you may wish to order 'goody bags')

Confirmation of Booking

When all details have been received we will post you a Confirmation letter, Invoice, Guidelines for the Visit and a Code of Conduct form.  If you have not received this information 2 weeks prior to your visit, please contact the centre immediately.

Booking Terms – Methods of Payment, Refund Policy, Cancellation

Methods of Payment

Payment is in advance or on the day of the visit. A deposit may be required and this will be indicated on your invoice.

Payment can be made by cash, credit card or cheque.
Cheques should be made payable to ‘Science Projects Ltd’

Refund Policy

We ask all groups to confirm their numbers with us, 7 days prior to the visit.  As an educational charity, we allocate staffing for each day depending on the number of pupils we are expecting. We are unable to offer refunds.

Cancellation

Cancellations must be sent in writing no later than 14 days prior to the visit. 

How to find the Centre – ESSENTIAL  driver information

Increasingly coach drivers are taking a variety of routes to the Science Centre which are not always the most direct.  Your time at the centre is precious during educational visits and it is vital that drivers know where they are going and how to find the centre.  They MUST NOT rely on GPS as some GPS systems will direct  them to the WRONG entrance of the Herstmonceux Castle Estate

Further details of our location are shown in the map

Risk Assessments & Safety Information

We cannot complete your own Risk Assessment forms, but we do provide our own for the site in general, exhibits, activities etc which are available to download here.  The Observatory Science centre is an historic site and all visitors must take care at all times.  Teachers and accompanying adults are responsible for the appropriate behaviour of their pupils at the centre.

If the fire alarm sounds we always evacuate immediately to the outdoor Discovery Park.  If you are involved in a workshop, telescope tour or similar, you will be directed by a member of science centre staff.

The centre has a first aid room in the hands-on corridor, beside the café.  Although all visiting schools bring their own first aider, if an incident or accident does occur, you must report this to a member of science centre staff.

Science Centre Staff & Volunteers

We have a dedicated team of staff & volunteers, all of whom are checked through the Criminal Records Bureau and many of whom are registered SETPOINT Science & Engineering Ambassadors.
All staff & volunteers wear a uniform and / or a name badge. 

Code of Conduct Form

You will be posted a Code of Conduct form with your booking confirmation & invoice.  If you need another copy, you can download it here

Guidelines for your Visit

You will be posted Guidelines for your Visit with your booking confirmation & invoice.  If you need another copy, you can download them here:

Page 1 of guidelines

Page 2 of guidelines

Map of the Site

You can download a map of the site here