Wildlife-man - about the Wildlife-man

Ponds are amazing! Where else could you find saucer-eyed assassins capable of eating tadpoles (that'll be the dragonfly larvae) or animals with dagger-like mouthparts that breath via their backsides (water boatmen)...? Not to mention frogs, tadpoles, grass snakes and newts...

This hands-on workshop sees a mobile pond erected in your school, complete with a plethora of aquatic minibeasts for pupils to dip for, and study up-close with identification charts and magnifiers. See some photos at the bottom of this page. The sessions covers habitats, classication, food chains and life-cycles, all in one session.

Some larger pond animals are also brought along including newts, toads, tadpoles and even grass snakes (weather permitting) – many of these can be touched and held by the pupils. All wild animals are collected that morning from a nearby freshwater source, and returned later that day.

The mobile pond-dip, run by The Wildlife-man, kicked off in 2010 on a tour of schools in London, the East of England and the Midlands – 100% of teachers surveyed during this period rated the activity 5 Stars! See more in the feedback section of this website. It runs each year from mid April to September.

"Why is this activity so popular?"

Pond-dipping provides pupils with real-life examples of adaptation, life-cycles, foodchains and biodiversity.

The activity may be particularly valuable to those schools who may lack a local wildlife pond for pupils to use, or for those schools that are hoping to have a new pond and are seeking buy-in from pupils and staff. Jules is happy to do assemblies too – using a microscope (linked to a projector) to whet the appetites of pupils doing sessions later in the day.

Please note, this workshop is normally fully-booked by late April. You can view available days at www.wildlife-man.co.uk/diary.html

"What might pupils see and touch on the day?"

The following animals regularly feature as part of the mobile pond-dip: smooth newts, dragonfly larvae, great diving beetles, caddisfly nymphs, water mites, water boatmen, water stick insects, water scorpions, bloodworm, leeches, tadpoles (of frogs and toads) and grass snakes. Most schools record up to twenty-five wildlife species in each session.

"What might a typical session look like?"

Jules runs different sessions for KS1, KS2 and KS3 Science classes, and all sessions are designed to tick off concepts outlined within Sc2 Life Processes and Living Things. See an example run-through of a session by following these links (they open in a new window).

KS1 session >>>
KS2 session >>>
KS3 session >>>

"Where do you normally set-up the pond?"

The mobile pond dip can take place anywhere you’d like, provided there is access via trolley (which Jules brings to wheel his kit around!). In the summer term (and in September) the activity normally takes place outside, on the school’s playground or in a wildlife area. A back-up location (e.g. a spare classroom or hall) is useful if the weather goes awry.there

The pond itself is about 2m x 2m, and it can go anywhere. It is useful to have enough space to sit the class down (in a semi-circle).

"How many classes can you do in a day?"

Normally, sessions last approximately forty-five minutes (though this can be made to fit your circumstances) and are aimed at class sizes of thirty (or ideally less). This means that between six and eight sessions can be fitted into a day. It takes about thirty minutes to set-up the mobile pond-dip experience – Jules arrives early for this purpose!

"What do you bring with you?"

As well as the mobile pond (2 x 2 metres), Jules brings with him pond-dipping nets, pond-dipping trays, magnifiers, and waterproof laminated identification guides, for use by pupils. For indoor work Jules brings a high powered microscope, and projector – to display up-close the animals found in the pond dip.

"How much does this cost?"

In the summer term prices begin at £375 per day within Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire. Elsewhere prices start at £395.

"What do we, the school, need to provide?"

The main thing for schools to provide, and organise, is the timings for classes during the day. Nearer the day of the visit Jules will send you a short form in which you can insert your timings.

A teacher or teaching assistant being present during the sessions helps immensely, if possible. Oh, and a car-parking space (if there is only limited space nearby) is immensely helpful too!

"Are you CRB-checked?"

Yes, CRB checked (October 2012). Jules also has full public liability insurance, covering up to £2 million.

"Do you do events?"

Yes! In 2010, 2011 and 2012, the mobile pond-dip featured at a number of events, culminating in the Mayor's Thames Festival - where 12,000 passers-by have so pond-dipped right in front of the Mayor's Office.

For more details, click here

"Once we have booked, what happens next?"

Jules normally makes contact a couple of weeks before the visit, emailing over a short form for you to fill in. You will also receive a copy of Jules's insurance certificate, risk assessment and CRB too.

Payment is normally via cheque or online - Jules will bring an invoice on the day of the visit, which most schools normally pay after the date.

"I have other questions!"

Jules is happy to make these sessions fit your needs. Please make contact with Jules on 0797 1069098 or email: jules@wildlife-man.co.uk