All of the supporting documentation you'll need
One of the most common issues faced by teachers when planning trips is ensuring that all of the relevant paperwork is in place, and that the lead teacher and their assistants are fully briefed about each venue before they arrive.
Our experienced teachers have done most of this work for you. In this section you'll find a sample Risk Assessment covering all of the typical activities undertaken at Dinosaur Isle by groups of students, along with a detailed "On The Day" Procedure which sets out everything you need to know about the site before you get there.
If there are any other mandatory considerations, such as HSE advice sheets for animal attractions or outdoor activity centres, you'll also find these below.
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Quick Website Intro
A brief overview of Dinosaur Isle prepared especially for teachers.
A brief overview of Dinosaur Isle prepared for parents.
For your convenience this generic risk assessment has been prepared to cover all of the typical activities undertaken at Dinosaur Isle. You may use it as the basis for your own documentation. We do not warrant that this is either complete or accurate, and would be happy to help arrange a site pre-visit if required.
Our handy guide to distribute to your adult supervisors just before arrival. This essential document sets out in summary form everything you need to know about the venue, from a useful site navigation map to the locations of toilets and first aid boxes, lost child procedures, special clothing or equipment requirements etc.
Facilities Overview
 | The museum is entirely under cover. Fossil walks are entirely outdoors. |
 | There is no catering on site with the exception of soft drinks available from the gift shop. However there is a cafe immediately adjacent and plenty of food outlets in the area. |
 | Tour leaders are responsible for first aid. |
 | There are toilets at the museum. On walk to/from the fossil hunting area you will pass public toilets which are open all year. |
 | Phone reception is generally very good in Sandown. There is free WiFi at the museum. |
GROUP LEADER FEEDBACK
Verified feedback from previous group visits...
Pauline Stirling, KS5 Head of PSHE & Citizenship | 03/03/2016 | 12 x KS5
"Staff were extremely helpful and the visit was a success."
"We had a great day from the moment we got on the bus to getting home. I have a class who are already fascinated by dinosaurs, and knew a bit, but Trevor was great with them. They loved holding the fossils, and all the activities in the museum. Wax rubbings and the robot dinosaurs were their favourites. I had a rucksack full [of fossils] to carry back for our class display. We have filled 2 boards with photos and drawings. I can't think of a way to improve it - parents said they all went home buzzing with talk about their day!
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"Extremely good value for money! They were buzzing with enthusiasm and really engaging with the hands on museum. The guy leading us was very knowledgable and appeared to enjoy the interest of the children and the chance to share his knowledge. The children enjoyed the chance to ask him questions. Passing things around brought the 'talk' to life and they really enjoyed the time to examine the artefacts for themselves.
The actual museum was well designed... Increasing in the 'wow' factor as you go through. Children varied in their degree of enthusiasm towards the worksheets as they were so enjoying the practical activities. However certain children really enjoyed having a focus for this part of the trip and the adults on hand helped them link the correct sheet to the correct part of the museum. It was wonderfully safe and gave the children a chance to spend time in the areas they preferred.
Since coming back, again the children have continued their fossil research. Our science this term is rocks- this includes fossils. I find we have already covered a large part of the curriculum and the children had retained a large amount of what was told to them. We have a science specialist in some afternoons and she was highly impressed hearing everything they had learnt. They refer back to the trip constantly to backup their answers. It has really bought what otherwise would be a topic hard to bring alive... Alive in a very large way!
The beach was fantastic. A perfect opportunity to be able to run around and get fresh air, as well as putting into practice everything that they have learnt. Their enthusiasm for collecting things was beautiful and we brought back some treasured rocks form the island.... Much to the delight of the parents! "
