Primary school visits

Primary School visits

We deliver outstanding education and public engagement, welcoming learners of all ages and from all types of educational establishments. Our experiential, multi-sensory sessions for Foundation, Key Stage 1 and 2 are carefully designed to link with national curriculum topics. Each session aims to nurture curiosity and a lifelong love of nature, supporting and inspiring future generations of botanists, arborists and conservationists. We also welcome nursery and pre-school groups at both sites.

Visit Oxford Botanic Garden:

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Visit Harcourt Arboretum:

Session Information:

Explore plants from across the globe at the Garden, through our extensive horticultural and glasshouse collections. Alternatively, learn about trees, habitats and conservation at Harcourt Arboretum. Enjoy 130-acres of natural woodland, coppice and wildflower meadow, just six miles from the centre of Oxford.

Each taught session accommodates up to 35 children and requires at least four accompanying adults. You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch, but indoor space is limited and must be booked in advance. Schools wishing to bring larger groups can book both a morning session (10am–11.45am ) and an afternoon session (12.30–2.15pm).

After your taught session, you can explore our outdoor spaces on a self-guided tour. Please let us know in advance so we can advise on seasonal highlights and suitable activities. We will send you detailed information for your Risk Assessment ahead of your trip, but teachers can also book a free planning visit.

Garden

Feed the World - Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1

Follow a plant from root to seed as we look at all the different stages of a plant’s lifecycle. During your interactive session you can find out what plants need to grow, discover the parts of the plant and why each one is important, and enjoy seasonal highlights around the Garden. This session is a part guided and part self-guided tour. The group will be split into two during the session so please ensure you have four or more accompanying adults.

Arboretum

Amazing autumn - KS1

Enjoy the amazing colours that brighten up this time of year. Learn about the changing seasons and see how deciduous trees adapt to them. Feel inspired by the Arboretum and make the most of nature’s paintbox by creating your own works of autumn art (available until mid-November).

Garden

Use your senses - Foundation and KS1

In this hands-on tour, enjoy a mixture of self-guided and staff guided activities using touch, smell, sight and hearing. Go on a sensory scavenger hunt around the Garden, play a smelly plant guessing game, find out why leaves feel different and discover plants that are all the colours of the rainbow. Pupils will be split into two groups, so please ensure that you have four or more accompanying adults.

Arboretum

Spring splendour - Foundation and KS1

Spring has sprung. And where better to learn about this colourful season than the Arboretum? See the new growth as the plants reawaken after their winter rest. Discuss the different parts of plants and create some natural artwork. (Some visits during this period will coincide with the bluebell season).

Garden

A plants life: habitats - upper KS1 and KS2

Discover how plants are adapted to growing in different habitats, for example those in hot and cold climates. How do some trees stay green in the winter, how do plants survive growing out of rocky cliffs and how do we help plants from far away survive in a British climate? Pupils will also be able to find out about native plants which are grown in the garden.

Garden

Rainforest Experience - KS1 and KS2

Spend time in our tropical glasshouses and discover what makes rainforests so special. Learn about the climate of the rainforest, and find out how plants have adapted in such a unique environment. Discover an array of useful plants, with time for handling a variety of products. We'll discuss why rainforests are important, and how buying Forest Stewardship Council- and Fairtrade-approved products can make a difference.

Arboretum

Marvellous Meadows - KS1 and KS2

Find out about the importance of meadows with a fun and interactive session. Learn about biodiversity, pollinators and why the meadow is an important ecosystem for the animals that live at the Arboretum, and go on a bug hunt to find some little creatures hiding in the meadow (Available terms 5 and 6).

Garden

Planet Botanic - KS2

In this part-guided, part self-guided tour, learn about the parts of a flower and the vital role that pollinators play in the lifecycle of a plant. Discover the importance of biodiversity in the Garden and take a trail to see if you can spot plant pollinators in action. The session will end with a look at seed dispersal including some of the spectacular seeds in our collection. The group will be split into two during the session so please ensure you have four or more accompanying adults

Arboretum

Spectacular Seeds - KS2

This session examines the importance of seeds as part of a plant. What do seeds look like? How do they disperse? This interactive session will include an opportunity to handle a wide variety of seeds and an examination of adaptations to different dispersal methods. The session will culminate with the Oak Life Cycle Game, in which the children will take an active role in exploring the stages of development from acorn to fully mature oak tree. Two sessions are available each day.

Garden

Evolution, classification and adaptation - Upper KS2

How have plants changed over millions of years? In this ‘plant evolution safari’ learn about evolution, adaptation, classification along the way. Pupils will see ancient groups of plants including ferns, horsetails and conifers. In the classroom, pupils will work on evolution and adaptation in a cross-curricular project to explore how our green planet has changed over time.

Arboretum

What is a tree? - Foundation and KS1

This fun, interactive session gives an introduction to trees. The activities include an interactive game to examine how trees change through the seasons and a handling session that gives children the opportunity to see and touch a wide variety of seeds. Three sessions are available each day.

Garden

Root to seed: plant lifecycles - KS2

Join us in our journey through one of the prettiest seasons at the Garden and find out how important plants are to people and our planet. Follow the life cycle of a plant from the germination of a seed, through growth and photosynthesis, to flowering, pollination and seed production. Autumn is a great season in which to see how plants are busy making seeds and preparing for the long, cold winter. Discover how plants are important for identifying new medicines to treat human diseases.

Arboretum

Andy Goldsworthy-inspired art - KS2

Admire nature’s shapes, forms and design as you explore the Arboretum and gather your natural materials. Use Andy Goldsworthy’s work as an inspiration to create your own art, and remember to bring along your camera to photograph your sculptures. Available until mid-November.

Garden

A Botanical Christmas - Foundation KS1 and KS2

Discover the beauty and cosiness of the cold winter months and notice how plants have adapted to suit their environment. Learn which parts of the plants and trees are associated with Christmas. Gather evergreen leaves and other natural products during your visit at the Botanic Garden to create eco-friendly decorations and have a Botanical Christmas!

Arboretum

Winter Woodland - KS1

Explore how trees and plants cope with the arrival of winter. Meet trees that are linked to Christmas customs. Make seasonal decorations from natural materials collected in the Arboretum, and take them away with you to display at school (available in Term 2).

Arboretum

Explora-tree - KS2

Come to the Arboretum and discover our trees. Learn how to identify and name a variety of native trees. Hear what we are doing to protect our tree heritage, and see our new woodland. Think about the global context of plant conservation and take away ideas for what you can do to help (available in Term 2).

Arboretum

Explore the world - Foundation and KS1

Join us for a tour of the world! As you hunt for Mr. Peacock’s home, discover trees from different continents and use your senses to experience the variety of shapes, sizes, textures and colours in the Arboretum. Take home a postcard to record your travels.

Arboretum

A world of trees - KS2

Why do we have so many different plants and trees at the Arboretum? Why do we have a mixture of native and introduced species? Why is it important that we look after them all? Come along to find out about some of the world's rarest trees, which grow here at the Arboretum. Find out about the native trees that grow all around you, learn to identify them and discover why they are important to us too. (This programme coincides with Plant Conservation Day and International Day for Biological Diversity.)

Arboretum

Habitats - KS2

What is a habitat? What does an animal need in its habitat? Why do habitats need protecting? Explore the Arboretum’s woods, meadow and pond, and play interactive games to learn about some of the animals and plants that live and grow here.

More Information:

To discuss any bespoke programmes, joint visits to any of our partner sites, or if you have any questions about our sessions you can email our Primary Education Officer at primaryeducation@obg.ox.ac.uk or call 01865 286 693.

Find out more about how to prepare for your visit, what to expect during it and follow-up activities for afterwards. If you would like to make a booking for any of our sessions, please fill out our booking enquiry form below:

Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours Group Size: 35 students

Primary school workshops facilitated by Education Officer	£125
Bespoke school programmes (full day, selection of workshops)	Contact us
Lunch booking space (30 minutes)	£20