RSPB Bempton Cliffs School Trips

Home / North East / East Riding of Yorkshire

The RSPB is the nations largest nature conservation charity. We have been working since 1889 to give nature a home and inspire and educate others to connect to and become an active part of the natural world.

Learning Outside the Classroom brings enormous benefits to children and their accompanying adults. It is a chance to see learning in real life and to explore with all your senses. At Bempton Cliffs nature is literally on the edge and the adaptations and features of the habitats, species and elements become very, very real as you feel it, see it, smell it and hear it.

Our Schools on Reserves programme holds the LOTC Quality Badge so you know we have everything in hand when booking your trip. We will provide you with Session Plans and Risk Assessments and there are lots of ideas as to how to bring your learning forward into the classroom before and after your trip. You might even be inspired to take the RSPB Wild Challenge with your class!

You are welcome to visit for free or call us ahead to ask questions to help you plan your trip.

Why are RSPB Bempton Cliffs great for School Trips and Educational Visits?

At Bempton Cliffs, our Schools on Reserves programme offers inspiring, hands on, curriculum-linked sessions that are tailored to children of all ages and abilities.

The towering chalk cliffs (400ft at their highest) are fully fenced with specially designed cliff top viewing platforms that make your trip as safe as it is exhilarating.

For EYFS to KS2 we've everything you need to help your pupils learn about, experience and connect with the natural world.
Explore erosion, coccolithophores (big word alert!)and coastal features; discover the seasons and your super senses; find your way around our seabird food chains, flap like a puffin and build a gannets nest; discover natures forces and be awestruck by seabird adaptations.

For KS3 we have a unique opportunity for pupils to participate in the National Seabird Monitoring Technique learning as they go about the impact on climate change to seabird populations, the need for good research and to test their skills as a Nature Reserve Manager as we explore managing Bempton Cliffs for both people and conservation.

Our peak season for sea bird species is April - July but the contrasting sites and species on site makes learning through the seasons open and exciting from March - October.

During your visit you can make the most of your trip in our wildlife garden (spot the rare tree sparrow), along the nature trail (newts and dragonflies galore in our ponds), indoor education space (explore eggs and skulls) and take advantage of our visitor centre, on-site toilets and outdoor picnic areas.

What activities are available during group visits?

We have a range of programmes on offer for all age groups. For more detail on each please visit our website:

EYFS and KS1 Brilliant Birds
EYFS and KS1 Seasonal Sensory Walk

KS2 Discovering Birds
KS2 Investigating Coasts

KS3 Geographical fieldwork

What size groups do you cater for?

We normally cater for single classes but can take multiple groups up to a maximum of 60 children on any one day.

Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?

Yes. We have a small indoor classroom space in the Visitor Centre but we aim to be outside as much as possible.

Is there first aid on site?

Yes. There are several members of staff and volunteers that are First Aid trained. We all carry radios so that we can be connected to one another and the main Centre at any time.

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

Yes. The visitor centre, classroom and toilets are fully accessible. We also have accessible paths to the cliff tops and accessible cliff top viewing platforms. Please do let us know if you have any access needs or support for participants with disabilities and we will gladly help.

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Yes. We welcome children of all abilities. Please do make us aware of your needs to that we can help you and your participants make the very most of the trip.

Anything else?

RSPB Bempton Cliffs is, as the name suggests, on top of sea cliffs. We are an exposed site with little cover from wind, rain or sun. Our temperature is often cooler than inland.

We will have fun whatever the weather and we always get outside to enjoy the elements (flapping like a puffin and soaring like a gannet in the wind is enormous fun!) but please ensure that the children and accompanying adults are prepared for all weathers.

Our sessions are normally 2 hours long making them a perfect half day activity for residential school trips or local schools. We are able to provide full day trips also so please do let is know if you would prefer that option.

There is coach parking space for 2 coaches. There is no charge for parking but please do let us know how many coaches we should expect.

Teacher Checklist

		Risk Assessments
		Inspection Visits
		Resource Packs
		LOtC Quality Badge

UK Location

Need more inspiration?

We are bursting with ideas on places that deliver first class teaching both outside the classroom and as in-school workshops. Here are a few similar suggestions, or head to our tailor-made trip form and let us know how we can help you!