Greenbank Garden teacher information

Beside the walled garden stands an elegant Georgian house built in 1764 by merchant Robert Allason, using the proceeds of the tobacco and slave trades. The house is not normally open to visitors.

Greenbank Garden, with its 3,000+ species of trees and plants, is open to schools all year round. The whole space is effectively an outdoor classroom.

The school programme offers opportunities for cross-curricular work and engaging with the Curriculum for Excellence. Guided walks of the walled garden or the woodland area, led by Trust staff, can be adapted for all Levels and to suit the requirements of your class. Teacher-led walks are also welcome - Trust staff can provide advice if required. Schools can visit in different seasons to compare plant growth and environmental factors.

We also offer a Garden Day (either entirely teacher-led or including walks led by Trust staff) which includes curriculum-based activities in the morning, a picnic lunch, and teacher-led games and/or simple crafts (in the garden/coach house), in the afternoon. Worksheets, games and craft materials can be provided.

Possible topics

• Seasonal changes
• Wildlife
• Plants

Resources for schools

• The coach house can be booked to use as a classroom or workshop base.
• Illustrated guidebook
• Curriculum-based worksheets for the garden (on booking your visit, you will be sent one set for photocopying – you may alter them to suit your requirements, if you wish)
• Materials for simple crafts that complement the garden walks (£1 per pupil) – pupils take home their creations.
• Outdoor games eg skipping ropes, stilts, soft balls (may be borrowed free of charge)
• Photo trails (may be used by pupils; must be returned to tearoom)

Planning your class visit

• To book: please contact Greenbank Garden for a booking form.
• Book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
• For safety reasons, please ensure you book teacher-led visits too (we need to know that your pupils are in the garden).
• Greenbank Garden is open for school visits all year round.
• Maximum class size: 33 pupils, with a ratio of 1 teacher/adult to 8 or 9 pupils
• Access: the gardens and coach house are fully accessible for wheelchair users.
• Parking: parking is available for small coaches and minibuses in the car park. There is a safe drop-off area for large coaches – please check when booking your visit.
• Toilets: fully accessible toilets are situated in the courtyard.
• Refreshments: there are refreshments for sale in the tearoom. Pupils are welcome to bring picnics and snacks to eat in the garden. In wet weather, you may use the coach house (please book this when arranging your school visit).
• Clothing: pupils should be dressed appropriately for outdoors, but there is shelter nearby.
• If using the Greenbank Garden curriculum-based worksheets, please photocopy the template(s) and remember to bring enough worksheets for all your pupils.
• The site has been risk assessed. Teachers should prepare their own risk assessment for the visit.
• PLEASE NOTE: Schools and nurseries visit Greenbank Garden regularly. It is a safe, enclosed environment but all visitors should note that there are two ponds within the walled garden (both within their own special areas of the garden).

Charges

• For the latest charges, please contact the property.
• All class teachers are encouraged to make a free preparatory visit to the site.

During your class visit

• On arrival: please report to the admission desk in the tearoom (through the open double gates at the first archway)
• Garden walks can be led by Trust staff or by the teacher.
• The duration of a guided walk, and/or other activities, can be agreed when booking your school visit.
• A class will be split into 3 or 4 groups, depending on class size and the activity; each group should be accompanied by a teacher/school helper.
• Teachers are responsible for their pupils and their behaviour.
• Pupils are welcome to take photos or films of the garden.
• Coats and bags can usually be left in the coach house.
• Shop: pupils are welcome to visit the shop in small groups and with teacher supervision.