The Dorothy Fox Education Centre
Education Programme
Bookable led education sessions at Sheffield Botanical Gardens.
This Education Programme offers an exciting range of bookable full day or half day led activities for schools for all Key Stages and across curricular subjects. These activities allow students to discover the delight of Sheffield Botanical Gardens and enhance their curricular learning.
Find us also on the Educational Visits Website
To enquire or make a booking email laura.alston@sheffield.gov.uk
Science
'Hello Horticulture'
Learn all about the Gardens and explore science through nature. This set of activities will help students embed and enhance their learning about pollination, seed dispersal, plant ID, plant biology and life cycles, plant habitats and deciduous and evergreen trees. We can also incorporate the knowledge about how the Gardeners work in the Botanical Gardens. Pick from the activities below for your visit (each activity is approximately 45mins to 1 hour). Activities can be adapted for Reception, KS1-KS4, GCSE and A-Level.
Available Tuesdays and Wednesdays
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Activity in the Gardens ‘Botanical Bingo’ – An exploration of the Gardens to find various items or plants on our bingo sheet. This incorporates information about pollination, plant parts, evergreen and deciduous trees, seed dispersal and gardening methods in the Botanical Gardens
Activity in the Gardens ‘Habitat Comparison’ - going to different areas to compare how we have cultivated different growing areas for plants from all over the world and how plants are adapted to those environments for survival.
‘Design a Garden’- an indoor activity to design a garden using different habitat elements.
Activity in the Gardens: ‘Who Makes the Garden Grow?’ - Meet a Gardener in the Gardens, learn about different tasks they do.
Activity in the Gardens: ‘Plant Detectives’ - Matching plants to their names and learning the meaning of names, identifying key features of plant species, identification of different plant habitats and plant part classification.
Activity in the Gardens: ‘What Can Grow Here?’ Pupils will work scientifically and experiment with litmus testing soil with a red cabbage universal indicator, recording the results. For higher Key Stages pupils will then match different plants to different PH soil
Science
'Plant Progress'
The Evolution Garden at the Botanical Gardens provides a fun and engaging way to explore the evolution, development and categorisation of plants from pre-history to today.
Available Tuesdays and Wednesdays
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‘From Fossils to Forests’: Exploring the timeline of plant evolution and the emergence of different branches of evolution through plants and fossils in the Garden.
‘Visible Variation’: Discovering the variety of plant variation and different ways we see these adaptations in the gardens. Explore how evolution was affected by and impacts the environment and ecosystem.
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‘I-Spy Species’: Plant and Tree identification and games
‘How Old am I?’ Tree measuring to determine age and comparison across different plant species.
Science
‘Fantastic Flora’
Stories about plants & our lives with them.
Workshop led by expert garden designer Guy Petheram.
We are all familiar with animal magic but modern society has become ‘plant blind’. This despite the fact that plants have played, and continue to play, a central role in our lives. This session will shine a light on some fascinating plant stories, change how they are perceived and inspire a new connection.
Dates offered in accordance with the workshop lead’s availability.
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PART 1 – Plant & us (inside)
Firstly, the wonder - Plants are hugely variable, in size, shape and appearance, incredibly adaptable, living in almost every environment, and have developed some amazing survival strategies. From fireproof bark to recognising their offspring, when you begin to look, plants are both fascinating and beautiful.
Secondly, the service - From the fundamental task of producing the oxygen we breathe to providing the basic materials for us to survive, like timber to build shelter, wood for fire and food to eat. They continue to inform engineers, to produce chemical compounds for medicines and to inspire artists. There is barely any aspect of our lives today not touched by plants.
PART 2 – Plant & us (outside) Continuing our exploration of plants by visiting some specimens in the garden.
FORMAT – Talk (inside) & walk (outside) – 2 hrs
TEACHING METHOD – Combination of mixed media story-telling, relevant subject matter and interactive activities, including worksheets, quiz questions and props.
NATIONAL CURRICULUM – Science / Geography / History / Design & Technology / Art
Science
'Our Forest Friends'
The trees that shaped Britain & how to identify them.
Workshop led by expert garden designer Guy Petheram.
This session will shine a light on our rich and diverse tree heritage, illuminating the many roles trees have played and continue to play. It will also look at some of the ways to identify our most common trees.
Dates offered in accordance with the workshop lead’s availability.
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PART 1 – The trees that shaped Britain (inside)
We have some amazing trees – that have played a role in almost every aspect of our history, culture & economy.
Trees have inspired artists and writers, builders and architects, provided food, medicine, and material, underpinned Britain’s naval heritage, and so much more. Today they are still deeply ingrained in our national DNA, help preserve biodiversity and have a vital role in tackling issues around climate change.
PART 2 – How to identify them (outside)
Identifying plants is a skill in decline, but remains an important one in many ways. On one level, identifying plants has important practical implications, as they continue to play a vital role in social and economic terms.
On another level, recognising tree species will enliven our appreciation of the place we live, add a deeper understanding and interest in the world around us. And on a deeper level, it can promote a more profound connection with nature and boost our personal resilience and well-being.
FORMAT – Talk (inside) & walk (outside / workshop) - 2 hrs
TEACHING METHOD – Combination of mixed media story-telling, relevant subject matter and interactive activities, including worksheets, quiz questions and props.
NATIONAL CURRICULUM – History / Science / Design & Technology / Art
Science
‘Wonderfully wild’
The weeds we live with and how to identify them.
Workshop led by expert garden designer Guy Petheram.
This session will explore the fascinating world of wild plants, their folklore and their uses. It will also look at how to identify some of our most common weeds.
Dates offered in accordance with the workshop lead’s availability.
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PART 1 – The weeds we live with (inside)
Whether you call them weeds or wildflowers, the plants that inhabit the nooks and crannies of our towns and countryside, the hedgerows, riverbanks and derelict plots, are true survivors. They colonise spaces left barren by either natural processes or human activity. They heal the earth.
Not only are they crucial for biodiversity, they are also rich in folklore and culture and, often, have interesting medicinal or culinary properties. They can be found on a walk down any urban street or country lane, and there is much we can learn from and about them.
PART 2 – How to identify them (outside) Identifying wild plants is a skill in decline, but remains an important one in many ways. On one level, identifying them has important practical implications, even if just for foraging or to know what is living in your garden. They may yet hold important chemical or medical secrets.
Recognising weeds, like trees, will enliven our appreciation of the place we live, add a deeper understanding and interest in the world around us, of the natural world, history and science. And on a deeper level, it can promote a more profound connection with nature and boost our personal resilience and well-being.
FORMAT – Talk (inside) & walk (outside / workshop) - 2 hrs
TEACHING METHOD – Combination of mixed media story-telling, relevant subject matter and interactive activities, including worksheets, quiz questions and props.
NATIONAL CURRICULUM – History / Science / Design & Technology / Art
Science
‘The Air Quality Garden’
Workshops with the University of Sheffield School of Biosciences
Through visual demonstration, The Air Quality Garden at the Botanical Gardens is an engaging way of raising awareness of air quality, the environment and human health. These activities led by educators from the University of Sheffield are designed to help students identify bioindicators, interpret air quality conditions and reflect on their experiences of poor air quality.
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‘The Air Quality Garden’ - this activity explains ozone and its impact on crops and human health. There is a demonstration of the ozone-sensitive plants compared to the ozone-resistant varieties.
‘Lichen surveys’ - this activity begins by introducing what 'bioindicators' and lichens are. Then, participants will look for the bioindicator species resistant or sensitive to NO2 air pollution in the Botanical Gardens.
‘Air quality sensors’ - this activity uses low-cost sensors in the Botanical Gardens to learn about air quality.
‘Reflection activity’ - this activity encourages reflection on how students can help improve air quality.
History and Geography
The Botanical Gardens is a perfect place to enrich the study of local history and also to explore global history and different countries through plants.
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‘The History Garden’ – Explore local history and the stories of the people who built the Gardens by finding clues to the Gardens’ past all around. This can be a half day tour or a full day session with history detective activities and primary source investigation in the Dorothy Fox Centre classroom.
‘The Globe in the Gardens’ – These activities will introduce connections between local, national and international history and the stories of the past from all over the world by beginning with a plant and drawing out different narratives through primary and secondary sources.
‘A World of Plants’ - Using maps to look at the different countries plants have come from in the Gardens.
For GCSE, A-Level and HE we can work with you to create site specific studies and build projects, provide expertise on local heritage and research methods, offer research workshops and source material.
English
The Botanical Gardens is an inspirational place to enhance English Language and Literature skills, in a wonderful backdrop.
For Reception, KS1-2 we can also offer a bear hunt to help with map reading and orienteering.
These activities can all also be adapted for sessions in Maths and English in the Gardens for SEN, ESOL and Adult Learners.
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Story making and creative writing in the Gardens
Exploring the Gardens in stories
Exploring the Gardens through Shakespeare or the Romantic Poets
Arts Award - Discover in a Day
“Arts Award Discover is the start of the Arts Award adventure. It takes children and young people on an artistic journey as they explore the arts all around them, investigate different art forms, research an artist, and then share their discoveries with others.
As well as developing their knowledge and understanding of the arts, Arts Award Discover boosts children's creativity, curiosity, confidence and communication skills.” - Arts Award
At Sheffield Botanical Gardens and Sheffield General Cemetery you will be taken on a exploratory and creative journey to learn about these amazing green spaces and the art they contain.
Charges
Standard Education Programme
Full day for up to 2 classes of up to 35 (2-3 activities 10am-2pm)
£200
Full day Home School groups of up to 20 students
£150
Half day for up to 2 classes of up to 35 (1-2 activities 10am-12pm or 12pm-2pm)
£120
Half day Home School groups of up to 20 students
£100
Guy Petheram Workshops
Half day for 1 class of up to 35
£200
Arts Award Discover Charges
£8.25 per child (including certificate costs)
Please note we can only take up to 2 classes a day. You will need to book a second day for a third or fourth class at a slightly discounted price of £150 full day or £100 half day.
We are committed to ensuring that as many schools and students as possible are able to afford to engage in our education programme. To that end, we can offer a limited number of bursaries to schools across South Yorkshire (£200 for full-day led visits and £120 for half-days). The bursary is given as a negated charge for the visit. Eligibility for our bursaries is based on free school meal metrics, and will be awarded each year on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. If you think your school might be eligible and would like to apply for a bursary, then please let us know when you get in touch to book your visit.
To enquire or to make a booking email: parksandcountryside@sheffield.gov.uk
Tel: 0114 250 0500
Unless the weather is very wet or cold we also encourage you to picnic outside with your classes.
There are drop off and pick up points for minibuses only at the Thompson Road Entrance and for coaches and minibuses outside the Main Gate at Clarkehouse Road. The Gardens are very well connected to public transport links. You can plan your journey using the Travel South Yorkshire Journey Planner.
Please also look at our free downloadable resources.
If you would like to come for a self-directed visit and use these sources you are very welcome, please let us know about your visit.
THINGS TO NOTE
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Thanks to National Lottery players, Sheffield Botanical Gardens has been awarded a 2-year package of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver an exciting programme of horticultural education, informal learning and engagement activities, boosting the Garden’s profile as a regional Centre for Horticultural Excellence. Sheffield City Council, Friends of the Botanical Gardens (FOBS) and Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust (SBGT) are working in partnership and have recruited a full-time Education and Engagement Co-ordinator.
The project is designed to facilitate educational classes and workshops for people of all ages and backgrounds; from school children to university and academy students, and from complete beginners to professionals looking to extend their skills.