Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can my school book more than one course?
No. The funding only allows your school to attend 1 residential course, and to participate in 3 sessions of post course activity.
2. Do I need to book the transport to and from the Centre?
No. The Centre you are visiting will organise the transport for you and will inform you of the details.
3. Are there any other costs involved?
There are no other direct costs you will need to pay for. However, the school will need to provide supply cover as this is not included in the funding. You will be asked to pay £450 deposit on booking. This will be refunded when you have attended your residential and completed the post course sessions and returned the final evaluation to us.
4. Why do we have to pay a deposit?
The deposit is to make sure that your school is committed to taking part in the full Eco Challenge project – residential and post course sessions. The deposit will be refunded once you have completed the post course sessions and returned the evaluation.
5. Can more or less than 30 students go on the residential?
You can bring up to a maximum of 30 students only. You do not have to fill all 30 places, but you cannot bring any more.
6. Which students should take part in Eco Challenge?
The choice of which students can attend is up to the school. From past experience the most frequently cited reason for choice of students was those who are financially disadvantaged and have not benefited from any previous similar experiences. Other reasons could include a reward for good behaviour, encouraging better attendance levels, motivating students who find traditional learning techniques challenging, or to reward the well behaved but ‘invisible’ middle ability students.
7. Do three members of staff need to attend the residential and post course sessions?
You need to staff the course to a ratio of 1:10. So if you have over 20 students, then yes you do need to bring three members of staff.
8. Do all accompanying members of staff need to be teachers?
No but you will need to have at least 1 member of teaching staff to take full responsibility for the running of the course.
9. When is a good time to attend a residential course?
Autumn and winter months are good times to take part in a your Eco Challenge residential as there are lots of options available for conservation tasks. Most wildlife has stopped nesting and rearing young and plants have died back allowing the more physical 'hands on' practical tasks to be carried out so that students can gain a real sense of habitat and conservation management.
