We have been awarded the 'Learning Outside the Classroom'
Quality Badge, an award which is given to providers of high quality teaching and learning experiences in a safe outdoor environment.

We were also the first site to be listed in Wales.

If your school has never visited the Elan Valley before, you may be eligible to claim towards the transport costs associated with your visit!

Please ask the Environmental Education Ranger for more information.

Please contact the Environmental Education Ranger on (01597) 810390 to arrange provisional dates. It would be beneficial at this point to discuss in detail the topics you would like to study, or to arrange a pre-visit.  

Staffing

Due to the small number of education staff at the Visitor Centre, all groups must bring with them a suitable number of adults to assist with the activities. For many of the activities it is necessary to have small numbers of pupils in each group (for some our maximum is 16). Each group must be closely supervised, especially when water topics have been chosen. It is essential that there are two adults per group, giving a ratio of 1 adult to 8 children for water activities (such as pond dipping) and a ratio of 1:10 for all other activities.

Health and Safety

Risk assessments have been produced for all educational activities carried out on the Elan Estate. Copies of these are available to staff leading educational visits on request. Staff in charge of visiting educational parties are held fully responsible for the conduct of all members of their party whilst on the Elan Estate. The overall welfare and health and safety of the pupils are the responsibility of the visiting group's staff.

Elan Valley Countryside Ranger staff are qualified First Aiders and are CRB checked.

Clothing

All pupils must wear trousers and have waterproof clothes available, even in summer as the weather is very changeable throughout the year! Appropriate footwear is essential, preferably walking boots or other footwear with good non-slip soles. Wellies are not normally required - please check when booking. Even in warm weather, shorts and skirts are not recommended due to the increased risk of tick bites, particularly when visiting woodland areas.