Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

Behaviour

WWT sites contain wildlife that we wish to keep attracting. Respect for the environment is vital. Appropriate behaviour will reward pupils with better views of wildlife behaving naturally. We would respectfully ask teachers to discuss the following with their pupils before the visit begins:

• Please walk, don't run.
• Please speak quietly, especially in hides.
• Please respect others enjoying their visit.
• Please treat birds kindly.
• Please dispose of litter in the bins provided.
• Please stay on the paths.
• Please stay with your group at all times.

Clothing

Please make sure children are appropriately dressed for their outside visit and have suitable clothing and footwear, especially for wet weather (wellies or old trainers as appropriate) Some paths may be wet and muddy, particularly in winter.Remember sun cream/sun block and hats in summer. Where boardwalks have wire covering around dipping ponds, it is better for pupils to wear long trousers rather than shorts. Bring binoculars if possible.

Discipline

Teachers and adult supervisors remain responsible for discipline and should ensure their pupils are adequately supervised at all times.

Facilities

All WWT centres have eating, gift shop and toilet facilities.         

First Aid

Teachers should bring their own first aid kits.

Health and Safety

Some WWT programmes involve working with pond water, otherwise pupils should be discouraged from dabbling in water. Unlike tap water, the water in our ponds, pools and enclosures has not been treated and will contain various micro-organisms. This is perfectly natural but there is a very small risk of contracting infections like Weil's Disease (there is a much, much greater risk of being run over - by an elephant). Always take the following precautions:

• Ensure that cuts are covered before contact with water (e.g. plasters or disposable gloves).
• Hands should be thoroughly washed after contact (including when feeding grain to birds at some centres) and especially before eating.
• Objects that have been in contact with water including feathers, should be kept out of the mouth.

Risk assessments of our programmes are available from centre education departments.          

Preliminary visits

Teachers and group leaders are welcome to make a free preliminary visit to discuss curricular and practical needs with a member of a WWT centre education department, and to familiarise themselves with the site.