Spring term primary school sessions at the Arboretum

From January to March (terms 3 and 4), Harcourt Arboretum's Education Officers can come to your school and bring a range of materials from the botanical world for the children to investigate and experience. This programme is a great opportunity for children to learn the basics about trees and plants, and is the ideal introduction for a visit to the Arboretum in the future. We will provide all the equipment for the visit; all you need to provide are the children and the hall!

From April, we welcome schools to the Arboretum for our seasonal programme of education sessions.

What is a tree? Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1

Session length: 1 hour.

This fun, interactive session gives an introduction to trees. The activities include an interactive game to examine how trees change through the seasons and a handling session that gives children the opportunity to see and touch a wide variety of seeds. Three sessions are available each day.

Spectacular Seeds: Key Stage 2

Session length: 1 hour 30 minutes.

This session examines the importance of seeds as part of a plant. What do seeds look like? How do they disperse? This interactive session will include an opportunity to handle a wide variety of seeds and an examination of adaptations to different dispersal methods. The session will culminate with the Oak Life Cycle Game, in which the children will take an active role in exploring the stages of development from acorn to fully mature oak tree. Two sessions are available each day.

Spring splendour: Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1

Session length: 2 hours.

Spring has sprung. And where better to learn about this colourful season than the Arboretum? See the new growth as the plants reawaken after their winter rest. Discuss the different parts of plants and create some natural artwork. (Some visits during this period will coincide with the bluebell season.)

A world of trees: Key Stage 2

Session duration: 2 hours.

Why do we have so many different plants and trees at the Arboretum? Why do we have a mixture of native and introduced species? Why is it important that we look after them all? Come along to find out about some of the world's rarest trees, which grow here at the Arboretum. Find out about the native trees that grow all around you, learn to identify them and discover why they are important to us too. (This programme coincides with Plant Conservation Day and International Day for Biological Diversity.)

Explore the world: Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1

Session duration: 2 hours.

Join us for a tour of the world! As you hunt for Mr. Peacock’s home, discover trees from different continents and use your senses to experience the variety of shapes, sizes, textures and colours in the Arboretum. Take home a postcard to record your travels.

Habitats: Key Stage 2

Session length: 2 hour.

What is a habitat? What does an animal need in its habitat? Why do habitats need protecting? Explore the Arboretum’s woods, meadow and pond, and play interactive games to learn about some of the animals and plants that live and grow here.

Sessions from January to March

From January to March, our Education Officers will come into your school and bring a range of materials from the botanical world for the children to investigate and experience.

Sessions from April

Each session runs for two hours and has a maximum capacity of 35 children. The cost of each workshop is £100. If you would like to stay at the Arboretum after your workshop for a self-guided visit, please let us know as we can advise on activities and seasonal highlights. You are welcome to stay for lunch; however, we do not have any indoor space.

Session	Max numbers	Charge
Primary school workshops facilitated by Education Officer	35	£100.00
Add-on to facilitated visit: Self-guided sketching (45 minutes)	35	£20.00
Bespoke school programmes (full day, selection of workshops)	Flexible	Contact us
Outside lunch space at the Arboretum	35	Free (but must book)

Please note if you are booking a Education Officer to come to your school (available from January to March), let us know if you are outside Oxfordshire as there may be an additional charge for fuel.

Make an enquiry

Make a booking enquiry online

Use our online form to enquire about visiting the Arboretum with your primary school group.

Contact our education officers

You can also contact our our Primary Education Officer Nienke Abbing for more information or to make a booking at primaryschools@obg.ox.ac.uk or call 01865 286 693.