Rutland Water Nature Reserve is a great place to study all aspects of Environmental Education linked to the National Curriculum.
The reserve is a protected wetland with SSSI, RAMSAR and SPA status and provides an ideal location for fieldwork. Students of all ages, from pre-school to sixth form and beyond can investigate and study the natural environment with the help of teacher-naturalists. Using pond dipping, birdwatching and the study of woodlands, hedgerows and meadows, groups can study the many different habitats and animals that live here. Through active learning in a practical envirnment, children can investigate the ecological similarities, adaptations and interaction between these animals and their habitats.
School Group
Bug Hunting
Pond Dipping
Education is for learners of all ages. We welcome students in further and higher education as well as interested groups of adults.
Group sizes are limited to enable students to gain the maximum benefit from their visits’. Binoculars and other specialist equipment provided for students’ use and satff are always on hand to offer help and knowledge throught your visit.
Upstairs at the Centre
Using a telescope
Watching the wildlife
Catching bugs
Educational Programmes
| Winter Wonderland (KS1) |
Look at how plants and animals survive the winter. Be a wildlife detective and track down signs of life. Create natural sculptures and pictures using materials found on the nature reserve. This is an exciting programme based at the indoor interpretation centre at Lyndon. |
| Habitats (Science KS1) |
Learn about a habitat – a home – for animals and plants in the meadows, woodland and ponds. |
| Adaptation (Science KS2) |
Investigate how plants and animals are adapted to the habitat they live in. Compare life in woodland, meadows and ponds. Watch birds in their thousands as they gather on the nature reserve. |
| Food Chains (Science KS2) |
Learn about producers, consumers, herbivores and carnivores and the importance of the sun. Study food chains in action in ponds, meadows and woodland. |
| Food Webs (Science KS3) |
Link food chains within a habitat, investigate competition for resources. How animals within ‘the web’ are linked, and the effect of man on delicate systems. |
| Man’s influence on the environment (Geography KS3&4) |
Investigate man’s influence and effect on the landscape and ecology of Rutland Water. Compare management of the nature reserve and recreation across the reservoir, and the conflicts of these different demands. |
| Field Studies (Geography KS3&4) |
Study land-use, vegetation and soils, across the nature reserve; effects of shade on plant communities, diversity of plants and animals (Biodiversity) relating to management practices. |
These two ponds form part of our habitats work. They contain an amazing array of pond life and are safe environments for students to learn about the plants and small creatures that live in and around water. The raised pond is particularly well suited for those with restricted mobility.
Large pond full of life
Raised pond for easy access
The Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre provides a warm, dry base from which to visit the reserve. We encourage visits by teachers wishing to discuss the content of the day before bringing the students themselves.
We offer…
- Access to one of the finest nature reserves in England
- All activities fully risk assesd and supervised by experienced teacher-naturalists
- Flexiable lesson plans that can be adapted to your requirements
- The opportunity to learn in a practical, safe, stimulating envirnment away from the classroom
- National Curriculum links for all activities
- Toilet facilities, heated classroom, interactive interpration room and raised viewing gallery
- Costs…
Free of Charge
The reserve and Anglian Water are commited to education and as a result most activaties are free of charge to pre booked school groups.
Additional Attractions
Apart from the nature reserve, Rutland Water offers a range of activities to complement a visit. These include:
- A walk across the dam
- Normanton Church museum
- Cycle hire
- A cruise on the Rutland Belle
- Self guided activities or education work
The education team offers a Water Day which incorporates activities on the reservoir and at the nature reserve. Pupils look at local history and geography topics with a walk on the dam at Empingham before a coach transfer to the nature reserve where they consider citizenship and science with a water cleaning activity, Water Aid film and bird watching.
Please ask for details.
Further Information
To arrange your visit or for more information, please contact:
Education Team
Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre,
Rutland Water Nature Reserve,
Egleton,
Oakham,
Rutland LE15 8BT
Phone: 01572-770651
Fax: 01572-759601