Welcome to the
Vale of Glamorgan Council

School visits - Activities

 

Porthkerry country park has a wide variety of habitats: extensive broadleaved woodlands, wildflower meadows, streams, a small dipping pond, large recreational grasslands and access to a fine semi-circular pebble beach. These make it an ideal place for learning about our natural world.

Pond dipping at fishpond hill

What activities do we offer?

The Ranger led activities below give a taste of what to expect during a session with the experienced Ranger Service. Each of the sessions can be adapted for Foundation Phase, Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2. If, however, there are particular topics/areas you would like the ranger on the day to cover they will be more than happy to try and help

 

 

Pond dipping

Water is an exciting habitat; there is a huge diversity of pond life that can be found at Porthkerry. The children will be amazed to see what they can catch with a net in our dipping pond; stickleback fish, water boatmen, dragonfly nymphs, water scorpions, whirligig beetles and lots more. 

 

After a demonstration by the Ranger, the children will work in groups, taking it in turns to dip with a net and put the creatures in a tray. Towards the end of the session the Ranger will help identify what’s been caught and look at how the animals are adapted to their watery environment and investigate their food chains and lifecycles.

Activity Time: 1 hour

 

Bug Hunt

During the spring and summer minibeasts can be found everywhere, children will be amazed at the diversity they will discover. Some they might find fascinating, others scary.

 

This is a hand on investigation into minibeasts and where they live. Using nets, pots and shaker sheets the children will be able to discover what’s jumping, crawling and flying around the park. They will be able to classify creatures into groups, find out how they’re part of a bigger food chain within woodlands and meadow habitats.


Activity Time: 1 hour

 

Bug Hunting

Animal Homes

At Porthkerry  we are lucky to have many different habitats and associated wildlife, during this session the children will learn what a habitat is and investigate the interaction of plants and animals and the ways in which animals are adapted to their habitat.

During this session children will also discover what different animal homes are like, what they need to survive and how we can make a home in the park or even in their gardens.

 

Activity Time: 1 hour

 

Den Building/ Survival Shelters

This session is a team building activity, where the children are encouraged to work as a small team to build a survival shelter into which the whole team can fit. The session takes place in the woods and each team is provided with basic equipment and guidance.

 

The children will discover what you need to survive and are encouraged to use their imagination to make life in the woods more comfortable!

 

                                                                     Activity Time: 1 hour

 

Forest School Sessions

We have a dedicated Forest School site which is available for groups of any age to use. You are able to book the forest school site for use with your own qualified leaders. Please contact the rangers for more information.

 

We offer a ‘Wild Woods’ session for schools which provides a one off activity session based on the principles and ethos of Forest Schools, and enables children to experience a range of Forest School activities like den building, mud painting, making animal homes and trails.

 

Activity Time: 2 hours

 

Beach Art

The pebbly beach and foreshore at Porthkerry make a fantastic location for children to investigate patterns, colours and shapes, the children take a look at what outdoor artists like Andy Goldswothy have done. They are then given the opportunity to be inspired by the natural environment to create a masterpiece of their own.

 

                                               Activity Time: 1 hour

 

Self Led Activities

Orienteering at Porthkerry

Orienteering Routes

There are 3 orienteering routes to choose from depending on how adventurous you are... they are perfect for learning map reading skills. The children have to use the map to find red and white posts located on the country park. This activity is self led for schools to explore separately without the need for a ranger. The routes can be completed individually or in groups, and can be non-competitive or a timed competition.

 

Footprint Trail

The footprint trail is an easy trail around the main meadow and foreshore. Children are supplied with a map, showing post locations, a footprint ID chart and answer sheet. The children work in small groups using the map to locate the correct posts, and then identify what animal might have made the footprint. This activity is self led for schools to explore separately without the need for a ranger. The footprint trail can be completed individually or in groups.

 

Beach Art/ Den Building -Both these activities can be self led by schools without the need for a ranger.

 

 

Vale of Glamorgan Council, Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry CF63 4RU, Tel: (01446) 700111