Stotfold Watermill and Nature Reserve
About
Info for Schools
Contact Details

Stotfold Watermill and Nature Reserve welcomes groups of schoolchildren and students of all ages. It provides an opportunity to see a working mill in action and to follow the traditional processes of converting grain into stoneground flour and the production of oats. The Education Team, with experience of teaching in schools from 4 to 18 years old, has developed a variety of interactive programmes that can be adapted to the age, interests and needs of the visiting group, these could include:
•    For Younger Children – Storytime about Mills and Milling with The Little Red Hen and Milly the Mouse.
•    Science and Technology – Cogs and Gears a practical experience.
•    Our Food – From Grain to Flour.
•    The Story of Stotfold Mill – It’s place in the community.
•    Structures and Building – and much, much more…

In addition, parties have the opportunity to extend their learning experience by exploring the adjacent Nature Reserve, comprising eight acres of water meadows and ponds, with its array wildlife. In inclement weather we have standby activities if needed.
Learning at the mill can be supported, before or after the visit, by the use of our Loan boxes of resource materials.

The mill has a tea room facility which, whilst not open during school visits, can provide hot drinks for accompanying adults.  The Kingfisher shop can be opened for the sale of flour and children’s pocket money gifts

 ‘Thank you so much for an excellent morning at the Mill.  The children learnt so much (as did I!) ‘and they remembered lots too’       

Reception Class teacher, St Christopher School, Letchworth
Thank you for showing us round the nature reserve …. We enjoyed pond dipping …. and feeding the cygnets’     

Year 3 pupil, Roecroft Lower School

Challenges by this provider


Fee structure
Our current standard charge for schools or childrens’ groups is £1.50 per child for a half day visit or £2.50 for a full day, subject to a minimum of 20 children with no charge for accompanying adults.  We will negotiate charges for smaller parties.

References
Name of referee 1:
Ms Sam Bishop, Headteacher.
Name of school: St Mary’s Church of England Academy
Contact details: Rook Tree Lane, Stotfold, Hitchin. SG5 4DL.    Tel: 01462 730343
Name of referee 2: Mrs Julie Pearson, Headteacher
Name of school: Roecroft Lower School
Contact details: Buttercup Road, Stotfold, Hitchin.  SG5 4PF.    Tel: 01462 730336

Getting here:

Address: Mill Lane, Stotfold, Bedfordshire SG5 4NU
Sat Nav: SG5 4NU
Stotfold is easily accessible by road, from the west via A507, or the A1M J10. The car park is situated in the entrance to the nature reserve approximately 80 metres from the mill.  There is adequate room for a coach to park.

Insurance: Public Liability Insurance held

Safeguarding: We have a safeguarding policy but, whilst many are former teachers, our staff are not DSB checked.  We expect children to remain under the supervision of accompanying adults throughout their visit. We offer schools guidance notes to help when drawing up their risk assessments for visits to the mill and nature reserve.

 


Contact Name
Patrick Clarey, Education Team Leader
Address
Mill Lane, Stotfold, Bedfordshire, SG5 4NU
Phone
01462 734541