| Coaches
On arriving at the zoo, coaches should park in the designated coach
car park. In busier times, you will be met by a member of the education
department, who will board your coach and coordinate your entrance
to the zoo. In the absence of a member of the education department,
the team leader should go to the entrance building. Coach parking
is free. Coach drivers are also allowed access into the zoo and
will receive a lunch voucher for Café UmPhafa, which will
be issued at the pay desk.
Payment
The group leader should report to the main pay box to make payment
BEFORE the children leave the coach. This prevents children getting
lost and ensures the safety of the children around the car park.
Please note: the group leader is responsible for the safe passage
of all children in the zoo car parks. If payment has been made in
advance, your tickets will be ready for collection in the entrance
building; at the Ark Shop till counter which can be found on your
left hand side as you enter the building. Again the group leader
should collect the tickets BEFORE the children leave the coach.
Each child is to be issued with a ticket, which will be scanned
by zoo staff before entrance.
Supervision
You are offered free adult places to ensure your school group has
adequate supervision. The ratio of free adults to children is; one
free adult for every five paying primary school children and one
free adult for every eight paying secondary school children.
Children under the age of 14 must be supervised by an adult at
all times and should not under any circumstances be allowed to go
off in groups on their own. Responsible children over 14 can be
unsupervised. However, zoo staff will approach any students exhibiting
unreasonable behaviour, and subsequently such pupils must be supervised
at all times whilst in the zoo.
If you are leaving your group of 14+ year olds unsupervised, please
give Guest Services the name and mobile number of the group leader
in case of any problems. Please also ensure that your unsupervised
pupils either wear their school uniform or an identity badge with
the school logo on, so we know which school leader to call in case
of any problems. Any children with any severe allergies or medical
conditions should wear a medical bracelet or something obvious to
notify a member of staff that this is the case should they become
separated from the group and have any sort of incident.
Behaviour
Before you visit Colchester Zoo, please make your pupils aware
of the following points:
- Litter can get into enclosures and harm the animals. Please
put all litter into the bins provided.
- In order to see the animals and watch them behaving naturally,
visitors must be quiet. Banging on the windows, shouting or imitating
animal sounds will frighten and scare the animals away.
- Our animals are provided with balanced diets to keep them healthy.
Please do not feed them as this will cause harm (unless at dedicated
feeding times).
- Be aware that there are other visitors in the zoo at the same
time as you. Respect their needs so everyone has an enjoyable
day out.
- Pupils must not stray into areas that are not open to the public.
These areas are off limits to the public for a reason and it may
not be safe for the students to enter.
- School children are not allowed on the Road Trains or in the
Kalahari Capers Soft Play Area without a supervisory adult.
Pre-Visit Familiarisation Tickets – we offer
free familiarisation tickets for teachers, at your request. Why
not make good use of these and come to the zoo before your school
visit to plan your day effectively?
Risk Assessment – Please refer to the Health
and Safety Guidelines and Risk Assessments section on the website
What to Wear? – Colchester Zoo is quite
hilly. We recommend that students wear sensible footwear and come
prepared for all weather.
Meeting Place – For younger children, we
suggest that you tell your pupils to find the nearest member of
staff if they become separated from their group. In addition, if
the group leader also finds a member of staff when a pupil becomes
separated, then zoo staff can help to reunite the group quickly.
For older pupils, we suggest you arrange a meeting place in times
of separation, such as the SFC or Guest Services.
First Aid - We have qualified first aiders on
site. If you require first aid assistance please report to the Guest
Services Office or ask the nearest member of staff from any department
who will be happy to help.
Children with Nut Allergies - We cannot guarantee
that our animal food at Familiar Friends has not come into contact
with nut products. We therefore advise that students with nut allergies
do not use this feed.
Children Requiring Medication - Please ensure
that you are carrying all of the necessary medication for your pupils.
The administration of such medication is the responsibility of the
group organisers and cannot be carried out by our First Aiders.
If one of your pupils has severe allergies, we advise that you inform
the zoo in advance in order to notify the first aiders.
Lunches -We do offer undercover picnic areas around
the zoo site, although these cannot be pre-booked.
If you would like us to store lunch boxes whilst the students wander
around the zoo, then please ask the member of the education department
who boards your coach in the morning (in peak times) or go to Guest
Services who will help you. This service is based on a first come,
first served basis.
EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
Please read your confirmation letter carefully as this gives details
of your activities booked. Please report to Guest Services in
advance of your talk, in order to inform us of your arrival and
to confirm the times and meeting place for your session.
Educational sessions take place at different locations around the
zoo site. If you have booked a session then we advise you to report
to Guest Services between five and ten minutes before your talk.
Please do not go to the Education Centres or Animal Enclosures
unless specifically asked to do so on the day, as our staff will
be coming to meet you at Guest Services.
Further Information
If you require any more information on any other issues regarding
your visit to Colchester Zoo please contact the education department
on 01206 331292 ext 250 / 251 |
