Erddig House

Gardens & Estate

For further information or to ask any questions

please contact:

Engagement Officer Clare Hill

01978 315191 or clare.hill@nationaltrust.org.uk

Erddig, Wrexham, LL13 0YT

Information for School Trips

Before you visit

Next Step

Please read this booklet and complete your booking form

If your visit includes a hands on workshop, please indicate which workshop you would like your students to participate in. You can find information on each of the workshops in this booklet.

When you have completed your booking form, please return it via post or email to clare.hill@nationaltrust.org.uk – retain a copy for your own information.

If your booking is in several months time, please ensure you update us with any changes to the number of students at least a week before your visit.

Free Preliminary Visit

We offer teachers the opportunity to come on a free preliminary visit to familiarise themselves with the property, gardens and estate. This may be particularly useful if you are bringing students on a self guided visit.

Please contact us in advance if you would like to arrange a date for a preliminary visit.

Risk Assessments

A copy of our safety information is enclosed. We hope it will be of use when you complete the risk assessments needed by your school or college.

Extra Information

We want to ensure your pupils have a unique and memorable visit. We are keen to know about pupils with mobility issues, allergies and learning needs so we can plan accordingly.

Workshops Our guided workshops are the perfect way to enhance your visit to

Erddig. Full Day Workshops last from 10am to 2.30pm and an indoor

lunch area is available.

History workshops:

Homes from the Past KS1 & KS2

Take a step back in time to discover similarities and differences between homes of today and homes over a hundred years ago. Children will explore below stairs and discover how an early 1900’s house was kept spick and span. Pupils will also have the opportunity to dress in clothes from the past and look at how they are different from their own. Workshop runs from 10am to 2.30pm and can accommodate 40 pupils maximum.

Price: For Education Group Members (EGM) £5 per pupil (Accompanying teachers, adults and carers are free of charge).

Guided tours of Erddig House KS2, KS3 & KS4: Available March to July

Children will be given a tour around Erddig House. They will be able to explore the lavish rooms

and servant areas to make comparisons between the two different lifestyles . Children will be

encouraged to ask questions and think for themselves.

Price: For Education Group Members (EGM) £1.50 per pupil (Accompanying teachers, adults and carers are free of charge).

Curriculum Links English Curriculum: Spoken English Welsh Curriculum: English

Articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions

Use spoken language to develop understanding through speculating, hypothesising, imagining and exploring ideas.

Listen and view attentively, responding to a wide range of communication

English Curriculum: History KS1 Welsh Curriculum: History KS2

Changes within living memory. Identify key points and follow up ideas through question and comment, developing response to

others in order to learn through talk. Identify differences between ways of life at different times. Identify the ways in which the past is represented and interpreted. Differences in people’s daily lives in two contrasting periods of the twentieth century

Workshops

Self Guided Groups for Historical Visits

Erddig is a great place to explore and we welcome School, College and University led groups on

self guided visits.

Self Guided Tour of Erddig House and Gardens

Available September, October, March, April, May, June & July

Take your pupils on an exploration of Erddig House through servant areas and luxurious rooms.

Room guides are present for children to ask any questions they might have about the rooms,

furnishings and items. Outside, an impressive range of outbuildings includes stables, smithy, join-

ers' shop, sawmill and our superb 18th Century formal gardens.

Explore the outbuildings and gardens starting at 11am and entry to the House starts from 12.30pm

with last admissions 3.30pm.

Price: Free for EGM members!

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times within the House in groups no larger than 15

pupils per group. We recommend an adult: pupil ratio of 1:8 for primary and 1:10 for secondary pu-

pils.

Curriculum Links English Curriculum: Spoken English Welsh Curriculum: English

Articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions Use spoken language to develop understanding through speculating, hypothesising, imagining and

exploring ideas. Listen and view attentively, responding to a wide range of communication

English Curriculum: History KS1 Welsh Curriculum: History KS2

Changes within living memory. Where appropriate, these should be used to reveal aspects of change in national life.

Identify key points and follow up ideas through question and comment, developing response to others in order to learn through talk.

Identify differences between ways of life at different times. Identify the ways in which the past is represented and interpreted. Differences in people’s daily lives in two contrasting periods of the twentieth century

Workshops

Environmental Workshops

Habitats and Adaptations KS1 & KS2 : Available from April to July

What weird and wonderful wildlife lives in Erddig estate? Discover the adaptations creatures

need to survive in different environments and the food chains connecting them. Pupils will join a

mini-beast expedition to discover what is hiding under logs and stones in a woodland habitat and

how they differ from creatures living in the meadow. Using simple keys to identify creatures

children will develop observational skills. Focusing on the water environments of the pond and

river habitats children will discover the animals that make it their home. Children will then use

keys to identify their catch and learn field studies techniques.

Price: £3.50 per pupil for Education Group Members (EGM)

Workshop runs from 10am-2.30pm at Felin Puleston Countryside Centre. Workshop can

accommodate for up to 55 children maximum (Adult to pupil ratio must be 1:8 or above for

environmental workshops. Pupils will be split into four groups and we encourage supervision of

two accompanying adults per group.)

Curriculum links

English Curriculum Science KS1 & KS2 Welsh Curriculum Science KS2

Identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other.

Identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including micro-habitats.

Pupils should be introduced to the terms ‘habitat’ (a natural environment or home of a variety of plants and animals) and ‘micro-habitat’ (a very small habitat, for example for woodlice under stones, logs or leaf litter).

Take part in simple activities and through a variety of experiences explore the world around them through fieldwork, the plants and animals found in two contrasting local environments, e.g. identification, nutrition, life cycles, place in environment

Observe …simple features of organisms, objects, materials and events.

Workshops

Teacher-led Habitats and Adaptations KS1, KS2, KS3:

Available from April to July

Hire Felin Puleston Countryside Centre & Equipment from 10am-2.30pm to run teacher led

pond dipping, river dipping, bug hunting and habitat assessments. Tailor your visit to fit

perfectly with your own lesson plans.

Price: This flexible option is available for up to 80 pupils per day for the bargain price of £50

(available for EGM only, includes centre and equipment hire). Adult to pupil ratio must be 1:8 or

above for environmental workshops and we advise you visit the site prior to your visit to

highlight hazards associated with working in these outdoor environments.

Teacher-led River Studies KS2 to GCSE:

Available all year round

Investigate the River Clywedog and learn all about different river features: meanders, tributaries,

deposition and erosion. Children will develop field studies skills by collecting data including

river depth, water flow speed and pebble size.

Hire Felin Puleston Countryside Centre & Equipment from 10am-2.30pm to run teacher led river

studies. Tailor your visit to fit perfectly with your own lesson plans.

Price: This flexible option is available for up to 80 pupils per day for the bargain price of £50

(available for EGM only, includes centre and equipment hire). Adult to pupil ratio must be 1:8 or

above for environmental workshops and we advise you visit the site prior to your visit to

highlight hazards associated with working in these outdoor environments.

Curriculum links

English Curriculum Science KS1 & KS2 English Curriculum Physics KS3 Welsh Curriculum Science KS 2 & KS3

Making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers

Taking measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate

Identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction, that act between moving surfaces

Identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes Speed and the quantitative relationship between average speed, distance and time (speed =

distance ÷ time) Make enough observations to be able to sort, group and compare organisms, objects,

materials, and events. Pupils take part in simple activities and through a variety of experiences explore the world

around them. They observe and describe simple features of organisms, objects, materials and events through talking, drawing, mark-making or writing simple words.

Follow a simple series of instructions safely to gather their findings, and where appropriate make observations that they could measure using simple equipment.

Workshops

Environmental Workshops

Teacher-led Orienteering KS1, KS2, KS3 to GCSE

Available all year round

Orienteering is a great way to develop map reading skills whilst exercising at the same time. We

have maps available for your group to use and the posts are out on the course all year round. If

you would also like classroom space/ wet whether option you can also Hire Felin Puleston

Countryside Centre from 10am-2.30pm.

Price: Orienteering Course free for EGM Schools!

If you also wish to hire Felin Puleston Countryside Centre for up to 50 pupils per day for the

bargain price of £50 (available for EGM only). Adult to pupil ratio must be 1:8 or above for

environmental workshops and we advise you visit the site prior to your visit to highlight hazards

associated with working in these outdoor environments.

Teacher-led Forest Schools for all ages.

Available all year round

Do you or your fellow teachers have Forest Schools Level 3 Practitioner Qualification but

no-where to run sessions at your school? Come hold your Forest Schools sessions at one of our

tailor made forest school sites!

Price: Free for EGM members! (non-members £25 per session to hire our Forest Schools

site within the estate).

On the Day

Supervision

It is important that you bring sufficient adults to ensure your group is adequately supervised. There

is no charge for accompanying adults. Please ensure that students are supervised at all times during

the visit, especially during the lunch period. Erddig cannot be held responsible for students’ safety.

National Trust guidelines suggest a ratio of 1:10 for secondary students and 1:8 for primary

students. All accompanying adults should be aware of the objective of the visit – this is particularly

important in situations where a class group has been split and a specialist teacher from the school is

not with a group.

School staff and accompanying adults are responsible for students’ behaviour at all times,

including lunch-time.

Lunch time

You will be allocated an indoor space in which to have lunch. You can leave lunch bags in the room

but please keep valuables with you. If the weather is nice you are welcome to picnic in the garden.

Please ask each child to take their rubbish home for recycling, all rubbish is to be taken off site.

Photography

You are welcome to take photographs during your visit but please turn off the flash in the House.

Directions

Directions to Felin Puleston Countryside Centre

From A483

Take the Rhostyllen exit off the A483

Drive through Rhostyllen, pass GTH, & Lex garage on the right, continue on passed the co-op on the left.

Take the turning on the right signed Erddig

Take the left turn, apx 10m on the left signed Felin Puleston countryside centre, this drops down into the car park

From Wrexham town centre

Take the Wrexham road towards Rhostyllen

Pass the cemetery, Bookers cash and carry and Wrexham training on your right

Take the left turn signed Erddig

Take the left turn, apx 10m on the left signed Felin Puleston countryside centre, this drops down into the car park

Directions

Safety Information

Ratios – Pupil: Adult Ratios

To ensure a safe trip the following minimum ratios are advised:

1:8 for primary years

1:15 for secondary years

However, teachers planning trips, on the basis of their own risk assessment, should decide the ratios, taking into account the activity to be undertaken and the age and maturity of the pupils.

There should be a minimum of two adults per group. Teachers and accompanying adults are responsible for the behaviour and safety of pupils with National Trust staff and volunteers facilitating the activities. National Trust staff / volunteers are not to be included within the above ratios.

Appropriate Clothing:

All visitors are advised to wear suitable clothing and sensible shoes (weather dependant). If participating in outdoor or environmental activities please ensure that participants have wellingtons, waterproofs a change of clothes and a towel.

Shop and refreshments:

There is a National Trust shop and restaurant; if you would like your group to be able to access the shop or receive a souvenir goody bag please let the team know in advance and we can accommodate this request.

Toilets:

There is a facilities block, with separate male and female toilets. There is also and accessible toilet and changing facilities.

Lunch:

Groups are asked to bring a packed lunch, drink and snack for breaks. The school room at the property is available as a lunch room. Please note that your group will not be supervised by National Trust staff at this time.

Special Needs and Requirements:

Please inform the Engagement Officer of any special needs or requirements of the groups so that arrangements can be made. With prior notice we can tailor a visit to the needs of your pupils. Please also inform of any related allergies etc.

Safety Information

Accessibility:

We endeavour to ensure that access is available for all. However, the nature of the historical environment means that access to some areas / activities may be restricted. Please discuss any special requirements when booking your visit and arrange a pre-visit to assess suitability.

Payment:

Payment for visits can be taken via invoice following the visit. If paying by cheque, these should be made payable to ‘The National Trust’.

Cancellation:

Cancellations should be made a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the date of your trip. Failure to do so will result in a 50% charge for your visit.

Health and Safety:

All activities / sessions are risk assessed and reviewed regularly. Please be aware that you should complete your own risk assessments prior to attending a session. If you wish to see National Trust risk assessments, please contact the Engagement Officer Clare Hill.

First aid kits are available at the property should they be required and the Engagement Officer is a qualified first aider. Site checks are carried out prior to a group attending the programme to ensure that they are fit for purpose.

Due to the nature of the activities and location, we reserve the right to cancel a trip anytime even up to the morning of the trip if conditions are deemed unsuitable on health and safety grounds. These can include high water levels and strong winds. We also reserve the right to amend programmes and activities if necessary due to health and safety considerations. If you are concerned about your trip at any time, please contact the Engagement Officer for further information.

Contact Information:

Please contact our Engagement Officer to arrange your booking:

Clare Hill: Engagement Officer

National Trust, Erddig

Wrexham

LL13 0YT

01978 315191

clare.hill@nationaltrust.org.uk