Almond Valley welcomes many thousands of primary school and pre-school visitors every year. The centre is well equipped to service large groups with ample covered accommodation, a resource area, handwashing facilities, plenty of room to let off steam during breaktimes, and a gift shop.

Discovery sessions are available to support a wide range of topics. These activities are led by an experienced demonstrator, and will be adapted to suit the age and aptitude of the class and the course of study being followed. Sessions last 30-40 minutes each and involve groups of 15-20 children at one time. Most schools spend 2-4 hours at Almond Valley and undertake one discovery session before exploring the rest of the centre under guidance of their teachers.

Click for teachers notes on these discovery sessions:

1. New arrivals on the farm
2. What's hatching?
3. Meet the animals
4. Buttermaking
5. Keep the river clean
6. Fossil fuels
7. From fleece to fabric
8. Lamps and candles
9. Harvesting the crops
10. Water power
    

Click here to download primary school booking form as PDF document

Click here to download schools visit risk assessment sheet as Word document

Special discount rates are available to primary schools and their associated nursery classes when visiting during termtime. Download a booking form for details

Please note that discovery sessions are specifically designed for primary schools and their associated nursery classes. We are unable to offer these sessions for groups with less than 12 children, or to informal groups such as playschemes, nurseries, mothers & toddler groups etc. Please see the group visits page for details of the services offered to these organisations.