Shortenills Environmental Education Centre

Every year children in Year 4 are given the opportunity to spend a week at Shortenills Environmental Education Centre near Chalfont St Giles in Buckinghamshire.


During the week we take part in a range of activities that link directly to our science and geography schemes of work.

Pond dipping is always a very popular activity with the children and teachers! As well as being great fun it is also a valuable opportunity for the children to discover many of the fascinating creatures that live in the pond.

Other activities include; habitat studies, star orienteering, humane mammal trapping, minibeast studies and a visit to a working farm.

Children also have the opportunity to view and study animals both in the classroom and in their natural habitats.

Whilst at Shortenills the children learn to become more independent. During their stay they are responsible for making their own beds, keeping their personal belongings tidy and making sure they are suitably dressed for each activity.

They prepare their own sandwiches each day and enjoy a cooked breakfast and evening meal, all of which are served in the dining room.

The centre strongly promotes "Sustainable Living" requiring the children to care for the environment by composting food waste and recycling a variety of materials.