How Hill Field Study Centre.

www.howhill.org.uk

WHY COME TO HOW HILL?How Hill is situated in the heart of the Norfolk Broads and provides a unique opportunity for

children to experience an amazing and ecologically important area. We have an incredible site offering a variety of habitats for study, including dry woodland, carr

woodland, reed marsh and grazing marsh. There is also the river Ant, many drainage dykes and a broad (man-made lake).

All our activities are linked to the National Curriculum and we try to accommodate all educational requirements you have.

We have experienced staff who know the area well and who hope to create a magical learning environment for your pupils. We are flexible and sensitive to individuals, hoping to challenge the brighter pupils and encourage those with special educational needs.

“How Hill is a very well run centre that provides a unique and valuable learning experience for the children lucky enough to visit. When leading a visit there, I have every confidence that the children will be safe, will learn a huge amount and will enjoy themselves immensely.” Brian Slack Year 5 teacher St Thomas More School, Norwich

OUR AIMS AS AN EDUCATION PROVIDERSOCIAL

By the end of a stay at How Hill we hope that most children will show increased independence, tolerance and sensitivity toward others through our range of activities, many of which involve teamwork skills. The social aspect

of living and eating together is an important part of growing up and developing communication skills.

EDUCATIONALBy the end of a stay at How Hill we hope that most children will be able to:

*identify local habitats, *name some of the organisms that live there,

*state the food source of different animals, *distinguish between those which eat plants and those which eat other animals,

*have an understanding of how a food chain works, *understand what plants need to grow and how they reproduce

*understand that animals are designed to live in a certain place and eat certain things.

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESSBy the end of a stay at How Hill we hope that most children will have:

*a greater idea of how to care for their local environment, *understand that what they do affects themselves, other people, the place they live, plants and animals,

*understand how people, plants and animals are interconnected *show an increased respect for nature and the environment.

How Hill house is an Edwardian thatched mansion, built in the heart of the Broads in 1904 by the architect Edward

Thomas Boardman.

The house is surrounded by amazingly beautiful gardens and looks out over a 365 acre estate made up of reed bed,

meadow, a small broad, the river Ant, a marsh man's cottage, windmills and woodland.

HERE IS A SMALL TOUR OF THE HOUSE:

workroom

dining room

bedroom

shop

THE FORMAL GARDENS

LIST OF ACTIVITIES SCIENCE/GEOGRAPHY

• Barton broad boat trip - bird watching, bank erosion, studying water quality, adaptation of birds• Dyke dipping – using a net to investigate a water habitat, developing identification skills• Nature trail - looking at wildlife, habitats, food chains, life processes, invertebrate investigations, tree hugging• Hawks and blackbirds – understanding how a food chain works, seed dispersal, interdependence

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

• Orienteering - map reading (years 3/4), compass use (year 5/6)

ART AND CRAFTS

• Thatching - using reed and sedge to thatch a miniature roof, using hammers and appropriate tools for the job • Weaving - weaving with wool to create a small bookmark, scarf, bracelet etc.

• Environmental Art – using natural materials to produce a piece of artwork

HISTORY

• Toad Hole Cottage museum - understanding the life of a Victorian marsh family, comparing their lives to ours today

PHOTOS OF OUR TWO BOATS

The Swallowtail

The Alderman Norman

School Mulbarton Junior (Year 3)

Date 22th– 26th February 2016

MorningMorning sessions normally start

at 9.30

Groupings LunchAfternoon

Afternoon sessions normally end at 5.00

Groupings

Evening Optional follow

up activity

Monday

(3S)

Wednesday(3SP)

Arrive

House RulesSettle into bedrooms

All

together

12.00

Dyke dipping

Nature trail (looking at habitats &

wildlife)

All

together

2 groups

Dyke animal

study

Weaving

Tuesday

(3S)

Thursday(3SP)

Boat trip to Barton Broad

Thatching

2 groups and then

swap over

12.30

Toad Hole Cottage and

Clay model makingHawks and Blackbirds

(food chain game)

2 groups

All together

Boat trip &

thatching follow up

Wednesday

(3S)

Friday(3SP)

Environmental Art

Orienteering using maps

All

together

12.00

Depart How Hill after lunch

ETA School – 2.30 pm

Collect children/belongingsFrom 2.45 pm

FOOD AND MEAL TIMES

BREAKFASTFor breakfast the children have cereal and toast with butter, jam or marmalade. To drink they have tea and orange juice or water.

LUNCHOn arrival the children will have a lunch consisting of cheese and tuna sandwiches, crisps and chocolate biscuits. The following days they are able to choose their own sandwich fillings from a selection provided. They will also have crisps, yogurts, chocolate biscuits and apples. 

TEAThe children will have a main meal and a pudding, these are similar to what is offered in school and should satisfy those of you who want a ‘healthier meal’.

Meal timesBreakfast - 8.30am

Lunch (flexible) - 12 – 1Tea - 5.30pm

If children or adults have any specific dietary requirements, please let us know on the medical forms.

KIT LIST• Sleeping bag (or single sheets) - How Hill will provide blankets • Pillowcase - How Hill will provide a pillow • Towel and toiletries • Wellingtons • Slippers or indoor shoes • Outdoor shoes • Waterproofs, coats and trousers - How Hill does have many spare trousers and coats (the lightweight cagoules in carry bags tend not to withstand heavy rain and clothes end up wet) • Plenty of socks - thick socks for wearing with wellingtons • Gloves, scarf and a warm hat • Warm clothes - plenty of layers and at least two pairs of old trousers • Spending money - How Hill has a small shop selling sweets and souvenirs. £4 maximum.

!

PLEASE BRING OLD CLOTHES, YOU WILL GET DIRTY

AND MUDDY

BEDROOMSThe sleeping area is split into 2 floors. Children are required to bring a sleeping bag, or sheets, along with a pillow case.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS1. HOW SAFE WILL THE CHILDREN BE ON THE BOATS?Before children get anywhere near the river they put on lifejackets. It is explained why they wear them and the correct way to fasten them.All children are then re-checked carefully by a How Hill member of staff before we leave the house.At the river boat-safety rules are explained to everybody.Children are not allowed near the river’s edge and/or the boat unless specifically directed by our staff. They are then physically assisted onto, and off, the boats.During the trip staff are exceptionally vigilant; children must sit during the trip and keep hands clear of the water and the banks at all times.

2. WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A FIRE?During the first day the centre manager will take the adults in charge on a walk around the building explaining the procedure in case of a fire. The fire alarms will be sounded if you feel this is appropriate, so the children are aware of what to listen out for.

DIRECTIONS

From Norwich: Leave Norwich on the A1151, in Hoveton take the A1062 to Horning and Ludham. Go over Ludham Bridge, pass The Dog public house and then on a tight right bend, take a left signposted to How Hill. Take the second left and then continue until you see an old disused windmill on your right, How Hill House is on the left.

From Great Yarmouth: Take the A47 to Acle, at the roundabout take the A1064 towards Billockby, after crossing the river continue for about another mile and then take a left turn, the B1152, to Bastwick. At the A149 turn left and then take the next left after crossing the river, the A1062, signposted Ludham. Once in Ludham village turn right and then take the next left. Continue out of the village and then take the second road on the right. Continue down this road until you an old disused windmill on your right, How Hill house is on your left.

From Cromer: Leave Cromer on the A140 Norwich Road, and join the A149 just north of Roughton. From there head to North Walsham, bypassing the town and staying on the A149. This road also bypasses Stalham, and then you will need to look out for the right turning onto the A1062 just before reaching Potter Heigham. This road will take you into Ludham and you can then follow signs to How Hill as above.