Schools Education

Pre-visit Planning

Kew

Timing

May, June and July are extremely crowded times in the gardens. Why not consider visiting at other times of the year? Kew has many attractive seasonal features.

Preparing yourself

We strongly recommend that you explore and plan ahead by booking a planning pass for two teachers to visit Kew. Once you have made your booking for your school party with the Education Department you may ask for a pre-visit planning pass. Please have the date you wish to make your planning visit ready. For teachers of Key Stages 2 & 3 Kew offers a Teachers' Pack "Plants Across the Curriculum" to assist you in planning your visit: other planning support is also available.

Teachers who wish to plan their school's visit to Kew and activities with the Education Officer may book a pre-visit planning session and personalised orientation walk with the Education Officer. This is also an opportunity for you to risk-assess the visit.

Preparing your pupils

Spend time with your pupils discussing boundaries for behaviour before the visit. Please ensure that your pupils have a clear focus and programme for their visit so that their natural curiosity is engaged in a positive educational experience. Encourage them to respect the natural environment of the gardens and to leave the gardens as they found them.

Please ensure that your pupils bring layered clothing for the contrast between tropical display houses and temperate climate. Clipboards are useful for writing and drawing activities. (Remember to attach pens/pencils to the board with a piece of string, so that pupils do not lose them!)

Adult to pupil ratios

We recommend pupils are accompanied by adults in the following ratios:

Reception 1:2
KS1 1:5
Yrs 3 & 4 1:5
Yrs 5 & 6 1:8
KS3 & KS4 1:10

We require a minimum supervision ratio of 1 adult to 10 pupils.

A maximum of 10 school children are permitted in the shops at any one time, children under 16 must be supervised by an adult at all times. This is a condition of free education voucher admission to the Gardens. Unsupervised pupils will be asked to give the name of their school and responsible teacher. If pupils are persistently unsupervised during their visit to RBG Kew, the Head Teacher will be contacted.

Health and safety requirements

For health and safety reasons, please be aware of the following:

• some leaves have sharp tips or edges;

• due to the toxic or irritant properties of some plants, they should not be touched or eaten;

• warn pupils not to touch plants then put fingers in thier mouths, nostrils, or rub their eyes;

• unattended horticultural equipment can be dangerous to children;

• adequate numbers of adults to pupils;

• medication (e.g for asthma) to be carried at all times;

• warning and "no entry" signs need to be observed;

• please ensure your pupils walk in glasshouses and show consideration for other visitors;

• many places are wet underfoot;

• please ensure supervising adults are with pupils at all times.

Please download and read our Health & Safety guidelines (pdf).

For pre-visit planning at Kew, please contact:

Education Officer & School Programmes Manager
Education Department
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond
Surrey TW9 3AB
UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 8332 5627
Fax: +44 (0)20 8332 5640
Email: schools@kew.org