INSPIRE, EDUCATE AND INVOLVE

Education

Bore Place helps young people connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors. We believe there is huge value in getting children outside the classroom and exploring and learning in an outdoor environment. We cater for all children and aim to ensure that our activities and residential stays are accessible to all.

School Day Visits

What does a day at Bore Place look like?

Most days will begin with a tour of our organic dairy farm. We will then widen our focus by exploring farmland habitats, and the wildlife that lives there. Your school will have the opportunity to take part in surveying or practical conservation projects and learn about species such as farmland birds, great crested newts, reptiles, bats, dormice and earthworms.

We aim to inspire young people with the natural world, educate them about food production and regenerative farming and involve them in taking care of our world for future generations.

All day visits are bespoke and designed to help meet your curriculum and learning outcomes. We are best placed to help you with science (plant and animal biology), cooking and nutrition (where food comes from and seasonality) and geography (human impact on landscapes).

Most programmes are suitable or adaptable for wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility. Teachers are welcome for pre-visits.

Please click here for our School Day Visits Handbook which includes Policies, Procedures and Risk Assessments.

Need help with costs or transport?

Bore Place is committed to being an affordable educational venue. We offer a subsidised rate for small-class state schools and classes with a high number of children receiving pupil premiums.

East Surrey Rural Transport Partnership is a not-for-profit company offering very competitive prices to schools in a number of areas.

School Day Visits

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Building on decades of work with specialist schools, we make use of every aspect of our estate, tailoring programmes that develop essential life and work-related skills for young people.

Our SEND programme is suitable for a wide variety of pupils, but especially those who enjoy developing practical skills. We will work with you to make the programme appropriate for your students' needs, adjusting the level of content and pace of delivery as required.

You can visit us once or on a more regular basis throughout the year. We also offer residential facilities for stays on the farm.

We are experienced in working with augmented communication systems – Makaton/sign along and Communicate in Print, and our site is accessible for wheelchair users.

Accredited Programmes

We offer accredited courses for SEND school groups attending Bore Place on a regular programme.

John Muir Award

 John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme that encourages people of all backgrounds to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places. It is inclusive, accessible and non-competitive. The Award’s ethos encourages participants to minimise their impact on the natural environment – from considering access and responsibilities in the outdoors, to making sustainable lifestyle choices. With a focus also on health and wellbeing, the award is something we are really excited to be able to offer at Bore Place.

Laser Qualification

We currently offer two accredited programmes through the Awarding Organisation LASER:

LASER’s Independent Living programme is designed to develop life and learning skills through a variety of units around the subject areas of horticulture, ecology, conservation and independent skills development. 

LASER’s Learning, Employability and Progression (LEAP) qualifications offer a wide variety of personal development and vocational taster units including personal and social development, employability and land-based subjects as part of the programme.

Arts Award

The Arts Award encourages the growth of artists and arts leaders. The programmes we offer at Bore Place support groups from local schools to develop their own creative pathways. Students work on projects aiming to foster independent working and progression into further education and employment. Students are assessed on developing art form knowledge and understanding, creativity, planning and reviewing, and communication. We have experience in delivering all three Arts Awards (Bronze, Silver and Gold) - and can adjust the level of content and pace of delivery as required. Each student produces a portfolio or arts log to record their journey.

Residentials

Set within 500-acres of organic farmland, Bore Place has diverse landscapes including fields, meadows, hedgerows, ponds and woodlands to explore.

Activities
Our tutor-led programmes offer fun, safe, curriculum-linked activities with options to tailor your stay to your own learning outcomes. Our activities are focused on outdoor learning, designed to allow pupils to connect with each other and their environment.

Accommodation and catering
We can accommodate up to 25 guests in The Old Stable, a sensitively converted historic building on the estate. There are 8 shared bedrooms for pupils and 3 single rooms, perfect for accompanying adults.

We provide seasonal, organic and locally-produced food and consider the impact of our food choices on the environment. We create healthy, balanced meals and snacks for hungry children and can cater for special dietary requirements.

What you can expect from a visit to Bore Place

Evaluation

Bore Place has a track record of delivering innovative projects in education and wellbeing working with over 2500 pupils annually. All our activities are evaluated through a variety of methods including participant feedback gathered informally and through specific surveys. We also seek feedback from teachers, parents and pupils themselves. This feedback allows us to adapt, improve and strengthen the programmes we offer in line with our vision, values, strategic plan and local demand.

Testimonials

“
Patience with younger children, wonderful enthusiasm, the staff had a passion for the learning they were showing which resonated with everyone with activities that engaged and were fully inclusive to all children.
The Wells Free School, January 2022

“
The tour of the organic farm was fantastic - the children really enjoyed this and it was good to think about what makes it organic and the effect this can have.
St Paul's CofE Primary School, March 2022

“
It was very well organised, the children were active and engaged all day and as a bonus, they got to help feed the calves. It was a lovely day!
Penshurst Primary School, March 2022

“
The day was extremely well-organised and run without feeling too pressured. The children really enjoyed a different dimension to their learning.
Chiddingstone School, September 2021

LOTC