Pentland Hills Regional Park/Schools and Groups

Safety
We comply with City of Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Lothian Councils Outdoor Education Policies and can advise teachers completing a risk assessment before their visit. Teachers are responsible for class discipline. Schools must provide a ratio of one adult for every eight children for visits which are not near water and one to five for those that are. All Countryside Rangers have a First Aid qualification. Activities are outdoors so children should wear suitable clothing and footwear. We can supply wellies if necessary.

Special needs
Some topics and venues are better suited for children with special needs than others. Please ask us about any requirements.

Topics
All topics are linked to the 5-14 Environmental Studies Curriculum and can be amended to suit your specific requirements.

Woodlands	Explore the interrelationships between trees, animals and humans and how we can all help to conserve woodland. More information on Woodlands for schools (word 617k).
Minibeasts	Discover invertebrates and why they are so important. More information on Minibeasts for schools (word 49k).
Water	Look at how water is supplied and how we can all help to conserve it. More information on Water for schools (word 889k).
Rivers	Find out what the Water Cycle is and use maths outside. More information on Rivers for schools (word 72k).
Water Life	Discover what lives in fresh water and why we need to keep water clean. More information on Water Life for schools (word 177k).
Iron Age	Explore how people lived in the past. More information on the Iron Age for schools (word 38k).
Maps	Learn how maps are useful and fun. More information on Maps for schools (word 55k).
Farm Visit	Find out where our food comes from and the work of a farmer. More information on Farm Visits for schools (word 45k).

We provide activities and venues for Midlothian Council Natural Connections and City of Edinburgh Forest Schools. Contact us for further details.
For students taking Higher Geography the Pentland Hills are particularly suited to studying Land Uses.

Venues

Venue	Toilets	Information Centre	Picnic tables	Suitable topics
Flotterstone	Yes	Yes	Yes	Woodlands, Minibeasts, Water, Rivers, Water Life, Maps
Castlelaw	No	No	No	Iron Age
Harlaw	Yes	Yes	Yes	Woodlands, Minibeasts
Bonaly	No	No	One	Woodlands, Minibeasts, Water Life, Maps
Boghall Farm	Yes	Small classroom	No	Farm Visit

Countryside Rangers can visit your school, but more so, we encourage the hands on experience of the outdoor classroom.

Comments
What a few teachers and children had to say about their visit:-
“Thank you so much –you really made our trip so special. You were great with the children.”
“Every part of the visit was useful.”
“The visit was well organised, it covered our learning intentions and the children thoroughly enjoyed it.”
“…I also liked learning about the water-cycle….”
“I enjoyed it when I was finding the bugs in the river because the bugs were interesting.”

Booking
Please book early to avoid disappointment. Preferably at least four weeks in advance. Download school visit request form (word 51k).

Contact us
Contact us to discuss your requirements or for further details.
Pentland Hills Regional Park, Boghall Farm, Edinburgh, EH10 7DX, UK
Telephone 0131 445 3383 | Fax 0131 445 3003 | Email Pentlands Enquiries

Useful Links
Other Ranger Services in the area are also available for school visits.
City of Edinburgh Council Ranger Service
Midlothian Council Ranger Service
West Lothian Council Ranger Service
Forest Education Initiative
Historic Scotland Ranger Service at Holyrood Park