Education Aims: The more young people know about the environment, the greater the possibility that they will show an interest in conservation, and the greater the benefits to us and future generations.

How might pupils benefit?

• Increased knowledge and understanding of the natural world
• Increased vocabulary
• Development of concepts, e.g. sustainability, biodiversity, seasonal rhythms, 'balance of nature', impact of humans on nature, what volunteers can achieve, what part can we each play?
• Development of  skills, practical, observational, reasoning and deduction, mathematical skills, ability to make comparisons, questioning, listening, recording, following instructions
• Application of knowledge
• Increased interest and enthusiasm for the natural world
• Increased confidence
• Increased concentration
• Increased interpersonal skills
• Practise the Countryside Code

Educational resources

We have an index of support material to be found on the website to help teachers and pupils.

We have a few ideas for activities and projects that could be carried out on the Hurst. Suggestions for curriculum links

 
Visiting and using the Hurst as an open-air classroom: Experiencing nature at work provides many opportunities for young people to learn about their local environment and care for it.

We aim to help our local schools by providing:

• Free access and use of the meadow, and whenever possible provide  
• A volunteer to act as a guide
• A detailed teachers' information pack to help plan visits
• Support materials made available via this website and or CD

It may be possible to combine a visit with Dorchester Abbey and the local museum.

Visiting the Hurst

Free downloadable bird material to support Key stage 1 and 2 learning

Identifying birds and observing their behaviour provides a wealth of different material for use in primary school lessons.  Apart from reading, talking and writing about birds, our bird projects also provide:

• An opportunity to get out in the open, enjoy nature and take some gentle exercise
• A challenge to use observational skills to identify different species and their behaviour, record what is seen, heard and felt
• A platform to demonstrate creativeness and thinking skills by producing solutions to problems related to birds.

Enter the bird zone