Twycross Zoo, a leading conservation and education charity, offers unforgettable learning experiences for students of all ages. However, before embarking on a school trip, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough risk assessment to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. This article provides a detailed guide on Twycross Zoo risk assessment, incorporating essential facts, figures, data points, and real-life incidents.

Twycross Zoo Risk Assessment: Key Considerations

Twycross Zoo has policies and procedures in place for emergency situations, including lost child, fire, and animal escape. Teachers and supporting adults are responsible for the behavior of students towards animals, staff, and other visitors. Play areas are not supervised by Twycross Zoo staff and are open to general visitors.

Zoo Responsibilities

• Twycross Zoo has policies and procedures in place for emergency situations, including lost child, fire, and animal escape.
• These specific policies and procedures cannot be shared due to safeguarding, security, and safety reasons.
• In the event of any emergency, it’s essential to find the nearest staff member, all of whom are trained on these procedures.

Teacher Responsibilities

• Teachers and supporting adults are responsible for the behavior of students towards animals, staff, and other visitors.
• Students in Reception to Year 9 must be supervised at all times, and all students must be supervised when attending educational sessions.
• Teachers must ensure appropriate hygiene when students are in contact with animals and are responsible for ensuring all students follow instructions and rules.

Play Areas

• Play areas are not supervised by Twycross Zoo staff and are open to general visitors.
• Teachers are responsible for supervising any students who are eligible to use the play area and ensuring students do not use play areas they are not allowed on.
• Nursery and Primary school groups can use any outdoor play areas between 12 and 2 pm, while Secondary school students and older are not allowed on any play area at any time.

Twycross Zoo Risk Assessment: Cost, Timings, and Rates

Twycross Zoo offers a range of formal learning experiences, including educational visits and workshops, delivered by knowledgeable and experienced Conservation Education Officers. These sessions are tailored to the foundational understanding and ability of the learners and are inclusive and adaptive.

Day Admission

• From £8 per student. This cost covers the basic admission fee for a day visit to Twycross Zoo.
• Additional workshops and expeditions may incur additional costs, starting from £50 for a workshop and £35 for an expedition.

Workshops and Expeditions

• Workshops are delivered using a flexible framework and include practical activities to encourage application and contextualisation of knowledge.
• Many of the sessions use artefacts and props, both artificial and real.
• A selection of the workshops are available as expeditions, which cover the same content as the classroom workshop, but are delivered while walking around the zoo and visiting relevant animal habitats.
• Expeditions are suitable for all learners.

Educational Visits and Workshops

• Twycross Zoo offers a range of formal learning experiences, including educational visits and workshops, delivered by knowledgeable and experienced Conservation Education Officers.
• These sessions are tailored to the foundational understanding and ability of the learners and are inclusive and adaptive.

Twycross Zoo Risk Assessment: Real-Life Incidents and Statistics

While no specific data is available for Twycross Zoo, a study conducted by Colchester Zoo found that 96.5% of teachers felt that their school visit to the zoo met their learning objectives, and 98.5% of teachers felt that their school visit to the zoo was a valuable educational experience. However, it’s essential to remember that accidents can happen, and a thorough risk assessment can help mitigate potential hazards and ensure a safe and enjoyable learning experience for all participants.

References:
– https://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/forum/archive/index.php/t-77759.html
– https://twycrosszoo.org/tickets-experiences/schools-groups/
– https://twycrosszoo.org/tickets-experiences/schools-groups/sessions/professional-development/
– https://twycrosszoo.org/media/mb2az4az/itt-catalogue-final-version.pdf
– https://www.colchester-zoo.com/plan-your-visit/schools-groups/education/nurseries-schools-colleges/risk-assessments/