The Hive Environmental Centre Essex

What makes us a great choice for education

The Hive in the Forest (formerly Suntrap Forest Centre) has been running as an environmental educational flagship since 1967 and in our 50th year David Attenborough sent us an endorsement.

The centre reopened in 2021 after £4.5 million refurbishment, with many ground-breaking and sustainable features and examples of best practice design which are incorporated into learning sessions including ground source heat pump, solar panels and water harvesting.

Open all year, the centre with a proven track record of delivering environmental learning that remains with young people throughout their lives.  Visiting Epping Forest in any season with its rich variety of habitats including woodland, grassland, heath, rivers, bogs and ponds is always an enjoyable experience.  Particularly as Epping Forest is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.

Accreditation and Awards

• LOtC Quality Badge Holder

What is typically included on our school trips

Our activities inspire students and equip them with age-appropriate knowledge and experiences to educate about the climate and ecological crisis and inspire them to make choices to value and protect the planet. Equally we are happy to plan a bespoke session to meet your learning objectives.

We offer specific programmes for

Early Years https://thehiveintheforest.co.uk/EYFS 

KS1 https://thehiveintheforest.co.uk/keystage1 

KS2 https://thehiveintheforest.co.uk/lowerKS2 & https://thehiveintheforest.co.uk/upperks2 

KS3 https://thehiveintheforest.co.uk/ks3

KS4 https://thehiveintheforest.co.uk/keystage-4

Post 16 and A’ level https://thehiveintheforest.co.uk/post16

Group Sizes Catered For

Up to 4 classes per day up to a maximum of 30 students per class.

Materials, Resources & Information Provided

For your visit all equipment and learning resources required for each activity is provided by Suntrap, such as microscopes, ID guides and worksheets. You just need to bring a willingness to learn more about the natural world!

Our activities are planned and developed by our qualified, experienced primary and secondary teachers. Our programmes are reviewed regularly in relation to current curriculum guidance and feedback from visitors.

Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions

Groups are authorized to the above with request to share with The Hive in the Forest Environmental Centre.

Risk Assessment Details

The Hive in the forest: https://thehiveintheforest.co.uk/activitiesriskassessment 

Education Officer Information

Contact us at: TheHive@walthamforest.gov.uk

Pricing Information

The charge for tuition for a day visit for a maximum of 30 students:

EYFS- KS2

March-October 2022 £361*

November 2022 – February £309*

KS3 – KS4

March-October £381*

November - February £330*

*plus VAT

The charge for tuition for a day visit for A level & post 16 maximum 20 students:

£35* per student with a minimum charge of £420*

*plus VAT

Clothing Requirements

Appropriate outdoor clothing for the season.  Wellies and limited waterproof coats are available to borrow.

First Aid Information

• All Hive staff are trained in first aid
• First Aid Station on site

Available Facilities

• 4 large fully equipped classrooms (two fully accessible)
• 1 large fully accessible outdoor classroom
• Free WiFi across the site
• Picnic areas across the 7 acre site
• Low ropes area
• Toilet facilities including one that is accessible
• Fully accessible terraced gardens
• 4 ponds, one fully accessible
• Woodlands, meadows, hedgerows 
• Drinking water available in every room
• Full use of classroom throughout the visit including eating lunch if weather is inclement

Accessibility & Disabled Facilities

• Grounds are fully accessible, including the outdoor classroom, gardens and ponds 
• Main building; accessible toilets and classrooms on the ground floor 
• All terrain wheelchair available to access the forest 

Opening Hours & Information

Open all year round subject to availability.

Testimonials

‘Congratulations to the staff and the London Borough of Waltham Forest on fifty years of inspiring children with a love of nature and a respect for the natural world.

Best wishes David Attenborough’

‘Perfect environment; practical, interactive, relevant and engaging’. Key Stage 3 Teacher

‘It was an excellent experience, and the girls got a lot out of it’ Head of Biology

‘Practical hands-on activity with children taking responsibility. A great day, safe, enjoyable learning!’ Key stage 2 Teacher

‘You do everything so well; engaging the children and giving them the courage to have a go and just enjoy’. EYFS Teacher

‘Love the hands-on practical elements. All children were engaging in depth tuition on the subject area’ Key Stage 2 Teacher

‘The tutor was clear, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Activities were fun, engaging, interesting and the children learnt such a lot’.

‘I think the opportunity for children to come and actually learn about sustainability and take it home to their parents is amazing’ Ms. Lampard, Head of Chingford C of E primary school

‘Game changing hands-on experience’ Selwyn Primary School Year 5 teacher 

'Outdoor activities. Very knowledgeable tutor. The tutor created a wonderful sense of excitement and anticipation for pupils. Quality of tuition was exceptional.'  Year 7 teacher from Frederick Bremmer Secondary School 

'Absolutely great, children seemed to really enjoy the experience. All children were given attention and the opportunity to explore. Care was given to SEN children.' EYFS Teacher from Millbrook Park Primary School

Other Information

At The Hive our environmental education offer aligns with the National Curriculum and supports classroom-based learning through practical real-word experiences.  The broad learning objectives ensure all sessions explore the links between nature, science and the climate emergency.

This hands-on approach is wide ranging and includes topics such as energy transfers, solar panel technology, pollution, effects of water absorption on flood risks and the carbon cycle. We run eco-themed days linking subjects such as science, geography, STEM and PSHE to expand student’s understanding of climate change and how we can make choices to combat global warming.