The Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service provides a free education service to all schools in Manchester and Trafford. We cover a wide range of topics from bug hunting, pond dipping and river studies to sensory walks.

Using the Mersey Valley Education Service has many benefits for you and your pupils:

• The Mersey Valley provides a unique outdoor learning experience, reinforcing classroom-based knowledge with practical, hands on sessions.
• All sessions are directly linked to the National Curriculum, with many being cross - curricular.
• The Mersey Valley Warden Service manages a variety of habitats for both wildlife and visitors. With its wetlands, grasslands, woodlands and the Trans Pennine Trail, which run adjacent to the River Mersey, it all makes for an interesting field trip.
• Working in an outdoor environment has been proven to aid personal development, encourage team building and increase confidence, whilst encouraging a deeper understanding of the local environment and responsibility.

If you are unable to bring your class out to the valley, the Education Warden can come to visit you in the classroom, school grounds or a green space local to you.

Booking a Lesson
Booking a lesson is very simple but can only be made through the Education Warden. If they are not available then please leave a name and contact details and they will get back to you. When you call to make a booking please have the following information to hand.

• Date of visit: it is handy if you have a number of
  dates to pick from
• Name and address of school
• Telephone contact details
• Age and number of students
• Number of leaders attending
• The lesson required
• The site and meeting point
• Arrival and departure time
• Any other information: for example students with special needs,
  or related school projects

Upon booking a lesson you will receive confirmation of your booking within 5 -10 working days.