Education for Key Stage 2

We bring science, geography and history to life through hands-on experiences in the local environment. Programmes at Creekside Discovery Centre allow participants to explore, make discoveries, propose hypotheses, carry out investigations and draw conclusions all whilst engaged in an exciting outdoor activity.

School visits normally run 10.00am – 2.15pm
Class size of up to 30 pupils
Low Tide sessions cost £300 for a full day and include a Low Tide Walk in Deptford Creek
High Tide sessions cost £275 for a full day
£25 discount available for schools with >15% of pupils receiving Pupil Premium funding

Programmes available:

Nature Explorers (Half-day session, Nov-Jan only)

Join us to explore the our local nature reserve, Sue Godfrey Nature Park

This session is based on the principles of Nature Connectedness - Senses, Emotion, Beauty, Meaning, and Compassion. The aim of the session is to strengthen the connections of young people with within themselves, with each other, and with nature.

This session includes:

Warm-up team building games
Seasonal sensory activities encouraging contact with nature
A core map-making and map reading activity, using natural materials
A comfortable space for teachers and other adults to relax and speak with students individually if they would like to

This session provides opportunities to:

Streghten group relationships, student-teacher relationships, and develop teamwork skills
Foster a love of nature and time spent in nature
Develop map skills and spatial awareness
Understand the seasons and seasonal changes

Session timings are 10.00-12.00 or 12.30-14.30. The session takes place at Sue Godfrey Nature Park which is a short walk from our site. There are no toilets or indoor facilities at the park but you will have access to facilities at the Discovery Centre. We can provide access to the Creekside site for maximum 30 minutes before or after the session for your group to have their lunch/snack, just let us know if you would like this when booking.

This session costs £150 per group of up to 30 students.

Rivers at Low Tide

A guided walk in Deptford Creek wearing waders, and a classroom session about rivers

Suitable for Year 3-6 students. Get your waders on and get into a real, wild river!

Includes opportunities to:

Physical geography – Understand key aspects of rivers and the water cycle
Geographical skills and fieldwork – Observe the human and physical features in and around Deptford Creek
Human geography – Observe how the land use of the area around Deptford Creek has changed
Living things and their habitats – Investigate Deptford Creek as a habitat, identify and name a variety of living things and group them into broad groups
Working scientifically – Measure the speed of flow of Deptford Creek by using scientific equipment, taking measurements and repeat readings
Local History – Observe aspects of national history reflected in the locality
Physical education – Take part in an outdoor and adventurous activity

“This was by far the best school trip ever. I would love to bring my family here again.”

Habitats at Low Tide

Habitat sampling in an aquatic habitat at Deptford Creek, and either the Creekside pond or a terrestrial habitat

Suitable for Year 3-6 students. This session does involve wading in Deptford Creek. Similar to Rivers at Low Tide, but with a more emphasis on habitats and ecology and less on history.

Includes opportunities to:

Working scientifically – Sample invertebrates using a range of scientific equipment, record results and use classification keys.
Living things and their habitats – Identify and name a variety of living things and group them into broad groups
Living things and their habitats – Classify living things according to common observable characteristics
Human geography – Observe how the land use of the area around Deptford Creek has changed
Local History – Observe aspects of national history reflected in the locality
Physical education – Take part in an outdoor and adventurous activity

"I got to hold a leech. It felt weird but I'm glad I done it."

River Mouth Walk - High Tide

A guided walk on land following Deptford Creek to its mouth where it meets the Thames

Suitable for Y3 to Y6 students. This session does not involved wading in Deptford Creek. Sometimes our availability for wading sessions runs low - this is the next best thing! Especially suitable for Lower KS2 students who might visit again for Rivers at Low Tide in Upper KS2.

Includes opportunities to:

Geographical skills and fieldwork – Use maps, compass directions and grid references to build on knowledge of the local area
Geographical skills and fieldwork – Create comparative field sketches by observing and recording the human and physical features in and around Deptford Creek at different locations
Geographical skills and fieldwork – Observe the human and physical features in and around Deptford Creek
Physical geography – Understand key aspects of rivers and the water cycle
Human geography – Observe how the land use of the area around Deptford Creek has changed
Living things and their habitats – Identify and name a variety of living things that use Deptford Creek as a habitat
Local History – Observe aspects of national history reflected in the locality

"I loved the hands on bits. It was different to what we normally do."

Shipwrecked - High Tide

Survive being shipwrecked in Deptford Creek: build a shelter, light a fire and forage for wild food

A group of children in a shelter Suitable for Year 3-6 students. This session does not involve wading in Deptford Creek.

Includes opportunities to:

Design and technology, Design – Develop a design for a shelter that is fit for purpose and communicate ideas through discussion
Design and technology, Make – Select from and use a range of construction materials according to their functional properties to make a shelter
Design and technology, Technical knowledge – Apply understanding of how to strengthen and reinforce their shelter
Cooking and nutrition – Understand seasonality and how to find a variety of foods growing wild
Geographical skills and fieldwork – use maps and globes to locate countries and describe water bodies
Physical education – Take part in an outdoor and adventurous activity
PSHE – Make safe and informed decisions about risk

"I enjoyed the teamwork when we made shelters"

Stone Age Experience - High Tide

Travel back in time and experience how our ancestors lived

A group of children at Creekside Suitable for Year 3-6 students. This session does not involve wading in Deptford Creek.

Includes opportunities to:

Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age – An introduction to the lives of Neolithic hunter-gatherers
Design and technology, Design – Develop a design for a shelter that is fit for purpose and communicate ideas through discussion
Design and technology, Make – Select from and use a range of construction materials according to their functional properties to make a shelter
Art and design – Experiment with different materials and increase awareness of different kinds of art
Physical education – Take part in an outdoor and adventurous activity
PSHE – Make safe and informed decisions about risk

“For once my class didn't constantly ask when lunch was or if they could go to the toilet because they didn't want to miss out. Thank you!”

Habitats - High Tide

Compare an aquatic habitat and a terrestrial habitat by studying the Creekside pond and the surrounding areas

Suitable for Y3-Y6 students. This session does not involve wading in Deptford Creek.

Includes opportunities to:

Working scientifically – Sample invertebrates using a range of scientific equipment, record results and use classification keys.
Living things and their habitats – Identify and name a variety of living things and group them into broad groups
Living things and their habitats – Classify living things according to common observable characteristics
Evolution and inheritance – discover how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment
Physical education – Take part in an outdoor and adventurous activity

Download our booking enquiry form