Donkey Day Out!

"A fascinating insight into the world of donkeys, ideal for KS1 up to KS3. Get up close with these gentle and lovable creatures."

You wouldn't believe in how many places the humble donkey touches the National Curriculum! From their heritage as working animals through to the biology of their characteristics, Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary offers younger students an ideal opportunity to observe close to 100 of these fascinating animals in close proximity.

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Curriculum Matches for This Trip, including Science

Key Stage	Subject	Unit	Resources
	English		Coming soon!
KS1	English	Spoken Language
KS1	English	Reading
KS1	Mathematics	Statistics / Handling Data
KS1	R.E.	Religious Texts
KS1	Science	Biology
KS1	Crossover Projects	Single-venue Projects
Lower KS2	English	Spoken Language
Lower KS2	English	Reading
Lower KS2	English	Writing (Composition)
Lower KS2	History	Chronological Understanding
Lower KS2	Mathematics	Statistics / Handling Data
Lower KS2	P.S.H.E.	Working with others
Lower KS2	R.E.	Religious Texts
Lower KS2	Science	Biology
Lower KS2	Crossover Projects	Single-venue Projects
Upper KS2	English	Spoken Language
Upper KS2	English	Reading
Upper KS2	English	Writing (Composition)
Upper KS2	History	Chronological Understanding
Upper KS2	Mathematics	Statistics / Handling Data
Upper KS2	P.S.H.E.	Working with others
Upper KS2	R.E.	Religious Texts
Upper KS2	Science	Biology
Upper KS2	Crossover Projects	Single-venue Projects
KS3	English	Spoken Language
KS3	English	Reading
KS3	English	Writing (Composition)
KS3	P.S.H.E.	Working with others
KS3	R.E.	Religious Texts

As well as the more obvious science and biology subjects, we have also developed a wide range of activities in other curriculum aspects using the donkeys and the sanctuary as reference - for example our Donkey Data KS1 Maths resource and our estimation and problem-solving tasks for KS2 and KS3.

Whatever you're studying, we're bound to be able to link it with the Donkey Sanctuary, providing an ideal stimulus for learning outside the classroom!

Let them run off some steam using our PSHE "Spot the Donkey" challenge before taking lunch in the picnic area or settling down to some proper work in the barn classroom, with hay bales for chairs!

All of the donkeys have different features and characteristics, and for the younger students who might not spot the more subtle nuances, each donkey at the sanctuary has its own colour coded name 'necklace' for ease of identification.

Subject to availability, we can arrange a question and answer session with Charlie, the original founder of the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary.

Charlie's story is a fascinating one - he used to be the local postman in an Isle of Wight village who slowly but surely amassed a collection of rescued donkeys!

School Donkey Sponsorship

Bring a group of 50 or more students and we'll include a 12-month VIP donkey sponsorship for your school!

During your visit your group can choose which of the current sponsorship donkeys they'd like to support (or we can pick one randomly for you!)

Shortly after your return to school you'll receive an adoption pack including full details about your donkey, with regular updates throughout the year.

On-Site Educational Activities

On-site educational activities at Ventnor (Town)

This section highlights any on-site activities which have educational relevance.

Help OFF

	DONKEY WALKING 30mins Take a walk with one of our more sedate donkeys! Learn how to approach and comfort the animals then lead them successfully around the paddock.
	EQUINE COMPARISON 30mins Learn to identify the differences between donkeys and ponies at close quarters!
	SCAN & MATCH 30mins Try to identify the mixed-up donkeys by scanning their microchips!
	DONKEY GROOMING 30mins Help the farm staff with their donkey grooming duties!
	DONKEY HEALTH 30mins Learn how to "condition score" a donkey and help the farm staff check the herd!
	TREASURE HUNT 30mins Use the interpretation boards positioned around the sanctuary to answer our list of FAQs!

Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQs about Ventnor (Town)

This section shows commonly asked questions with comprehensive answers.

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	Q: IS THE DONKEY SANCTUARY SUITABLE FOR WHEELCHAIRS? A: Many paths are concrete although the walkways through the paddocks are grass which might cause difficulties after prolonged wet weather. For most of the year however wheelchair users will have no problem navigating the site. There are plenty of handwashing facilities around the site too. There is a disabled loo.
	Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS ON THE DAY OF THE VISIT? Sophie Wheeler, Teacher A: For school visits with hands-on activities planned in advance, the activities will take place indoors in the event of poor weather. Certain activities such as the outdoor "treasure hunt" may need to be substituted for alternatives. There's plenty of choices!

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Why not stay overnight in one of our many accommodation options and visit working donkeys at Carisbrooke Castle? See them working the giant water wheel, exactly as they have done for hundreds of years!

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TYPICALLY FROM

£9.50

per person

including ferry crossing

Includes:

Return ferry from Southampton for your own coach up to 55 seats

Attraction entry fees

Choice of "Hands-On" activities not available to general public

Access to our Resource Bank

Specialist support and advice

"Typical" price based on 54 travelling using your own vehicle. Contact us for the latest prices, offers and availability.

Education Destination can arrange door-to-door transport if you prefer, or help with ferry bookings for your own vehicles. You could also travel as foot passengers and we'll pick you up. All of our packages are totally flexible.

All our pricing is shown exclusive of VAT. Education Destination is not part of the TOMS scheme meaning we sell wholesale to schools. Most schools can resell to parents without VAT. VAT is zero rated on ferry travel with 10 or more persons in a group, and on educational materials.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

The following SAMPLE itinerary is completely flexible to suit your own specific requirements and is included as an example.

09:30 Arrive in Southampton or Portsmouth for your fast ferry or hovercraft crossing to the Isle of Wight

10:00 Meet your coach or minibus for the day and be whisked away to the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

10:30 Arrive at the Donkey Sanctuary for a briefing

10:45 First Activity

12:00 Packed lunch in the picnic area

12:45 Second Activity

14:00 Close-up session with selected donkeys in the Sand Paddock

14:45 Load up the coach for the return journey. Wave goodbye to the donkeys!

15:30 Board your ferry home

Remember - this is just an EXAMPLE itinerary. Choose from our wide range of resources to make it your own!

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Our Day Trips

Education Destination's day trips are ideal for KS1 and KS2 students from schools within an hour's travel distance of Southampton, Portsmouth or Lymington.

We'll whisk you over to the Isle of Wight on a high speed ferry or hovercraft for an exciting day crammed with fun learning activities designed to meet National Curriculum objectives.

All day trips have a choice of high quality pre-prepared learning resources, many of which have a classroom element to feed back into your scheme of work or inspire special projects.

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