Dedham Vale National Landscape Sustainable Development Fund
‘Rivers and Life Everywhere’ KS2 Day Course
Hamilton Primary School in Colchester is an urban primary school, where opportunities to explore natural environments are rare.
With no playing field and limited access to green spaces, delivering practical geography can be a real challenge. Their recent visit to Flatford Mill with the Field Studies Council offered something transformative: the chance for pupils to apply their classroom learning on rivers, experience the countryside and discover new confidence in an outdoor setting. Supported by funding from the Dedham Vale National Landscape Sustainable Development Fund, the trip opened the door to hands‑on fieldwork, new experiences, and moments of genuine joy and curiosity.
‘I really liked the pond dipping. I had looked for crabs before on the beach but not here [Flatford Mill is very local to the school]; I didn’t realise there were so many life cycles going on. It’s really incredible what lives here.’
Reuben, year 3
We spoke to Mr S Greatorex, Deputy Head and the trip lead about their recent visit:
Making nature relatable and accessible
We were attracted to this course with the Field Studies Council for a number of reasons. Academically, we just finished our term working on rivers and this was a great opportunity to let students put that into practice and apply their learning. We are in a very urban school, right in the centre of the town. It’s an old building, we don’t have a playing field; even when the curriculum just references going to the ‘local’ park, that is a long walk for us and not feasible. Going out to do the practical fieldwork part of Geography is very difficult for us to do. I had been [to Flatford Mill field centre] with my previous school, so I know the benefits. I like the short bits of academic focus that are brought in, before exploring the topic outside.
‘It’s been so cold, but not one of them has moaned! Good for resilience.’
Ms S Rogers, class teacher
Funding helps unlock outdoor learning
For our children in this school, there is the added benefit of the wider experience. We have some with pupil premium funding – they won’t have had this experience before, several won’t have been to the countryside at all as it is just not part of their everyday lives for their families.
Without the funding we wouldn’t be here though, so we’re grateful you let us know about the opportunity.
As it fits in so nicely with the curriculum for the last term, it’s good to be out and applying knowledge. Some struggle in class and we can really see them flourish more here, outside.
‘My favourite part was pond dipping. My group found a fish and a ramshorn snail- I didn’t know they existed!’
Lily, year 3
We love the pond dipping activity of course, but actually, if you just watch them, the pupils are taking in the experience: they’re watching their wellies splash and playing. At the start, teachers were reminding them not to scream at every bit of mud!
The hot chocolate is a winner too! It makes it a bit special.
To find how to make a donation, or how to help fund opportunities in nature for those who would otherwise miss out, please see our ‘Support us’ pages.
Our school courses can be viewed here