Whitehouse Farm Centre is a 40-acre traditional mixed working farm with beef cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. The visitor centre is extensive, housing a wide variety of small animals, pets, exotic species and with play areas, heated indoor picnic areas, toilets, and numerous hand-washing facilities.
We have been welcoming school trips and educational visits since we opened the doors in May 1997 and are able to offer you a variety of packages which can be tailored to meet your individual requirments.
We are accredited under the Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS) which endorses our school visits as being to a high standard in terms of educational content, quality, health & safety and unique worthwhile visitor experience and have also achieved the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge.
Here at the Whitehouse Farm Centre we provide:
A unique educational opportunity for children, where they can handle, feed and
learn about a wide variety of animals, in a live farm environment.
A knowledgeable guide is provided for the duration of the visit, which is structured
and all aspects are organised for you.
Excellent hygiene facilities. Including 15 alcohol gel dispensers located at key
points around the farm.
Lots of undercover facilities in case of wet weather (small animals, large animals,
soft play, new multi purpose activity barn, toilets, hand washing and café.)
Indoor heated picnic facilities as well as outdoor picnic areas for use in warmer
weather.
Food for all children to feed the animals .
Tractor and trailer ride around the farm.
Use of our indoor multi level soft play “The Farmers Den” and all outdoor
recreation areas.
We recommend a free pre visit for teachers, by prior appointment.
We are also able to provide picnic packages from our café upon request.
We operate a No Smoking policy within all buildings and the Farm Park.
Discount voucher for each child for a free return visit.
Souvenir goody bags available to order from our new and improved farm gift shop
Prices start from £1.00 per bag.
Health and Safety
We do assure everyone that at Whitehouse Farm the safety and welfare of our visitors is our paramount priority. Should you have any questions regarding Health and Safety and welfare, please contact us at the farm. A copy of our risk assesment for school visits can be downloaded from our website or a copy can be posted out to you on request. Booking form, Instructions for teachers, Risk analysis.
All our school guides are carefully selected, fully trained and adhere to a strict code of conduct.
New For 2009
- This year we have added to our collection of Little Beasties where children can view, touch and learn about a variety of reptiles, amphibians
, and insects. As well as the beasties we now have meerkats, rhea, fallow deer, iguanas, tortoises, skunks and more.
- In January 2008 we aquired a zoo licence which will enable us able to bring a wider variety of animals to the farm including racoons & Gambian pouched rats to name just a few .
- We have recently upgraded our outdoor adventure play area, which includes climbing walls, slides, clatter bridges and a smaller area for younger children
- The sinks are being updated in the cafe & main toilets to make them more accessible..
Educational Resources and Funding
- Educational resources for teachers including worksheets, pre and post visit lesson plans, and information packs can be obtained on the internet. Please use the links provided in the schools section of our website. Alternatively visit www.farmsforschools.org.uk. or www.face-online.co.uk.
- There may be help available to fund your visit. Visit the Think Food and Farming website which may provide information on funding your school trip. Contact your Head Teacher as funds are made available to them for non – classroom based educational visits. It may also be worth contacting your local LEA who may be able to offer advice. Available in most libraries is “Directory of Grant Making Trusts” which offers advice concerning grants and funding.
Example Timetable for a School Visit
10:00 Arrival, met off coach by our school guide
10:30 Drop off packed lunches and receive health and safety talk
10:45 Animalsactivities*
11:45 Toilets, and hand washing
12:00 Lunch
12:45 AnimalsActivities*
14:00 Toilets, hand washing, pick up lunch boxes and bags
14:15 Guide will walk you back to coach
14:30 Leave
*Depending on schools individual requirements we can tailor each visit and therefore the animals and activities will differ from visit to visit. Times are used as an example and are flexible to meet each schools needs.
Booking
We host visits throughout the year with the exception of January and November
when we are only open at weekends. If you would like a quieter visit consider coming
in September or October when the centre is still fully open with a variety of baby
animals in their winter housing but with fewer visitors.
For more information or to book your visit please call 01670789998 or contact us
via our website.
No deposit required but payment must be made on the day.
Your contacts at Whitehouse Farm are Karen Lovatt, Linda Robinson and Gina
Breeze.
Useful Websites:
www.face-online.org.uk Farming and countryside education.
Countryside education.News,events, teacher’s resources, information about farms etc.
