About
Your Visit
Hello!
Thank you for choosing Magdalen Farm; We are very much looking forward to your visit.
We have been working with schools and groups since early 1990’s and know what makes a relaxed and outstanding experience.
To help your visit run as smoothly as possible, we’ve put together everything you need to know before you arrive, what to expect and how things work during your stay. If there is anything else you need to know, please get in touch. It’s always a good idea to start with a phone call as we like to individualise each visit to your needs.
Your bespoke itinerary will be arranged with our Education Rangers, who will be with you throughout your stay.
Before your visit you will need to …
Return your Booking Form
This confirms the date of your visit. The form includes a link to our Booking Terms and Conditions, so please read through these carefully. If you don’t know the exact number of people in your group attending at this stage, that’s OK, give us an approximation.
Pay your Deposit Invoice
This will be sent to you once your booking is confirmed.
Agree Your Itinerary
An Education Ranger will be in contact to plan your visit to your needs. Please let us know your topic, themes and objectives so that your visit is bespoke to you. Once the itinerary is confirmed, we will send you the relevant risk assessments.
Pay Your Final Balance (28 Days Before Your Visit)
Your finance department will be sent an invoice once final numbers are confirmed. Full payment is due 28 days before arrival. After this point, payments are non-refundable unless there is an equivalent group who is able to take your booking. Numbers can be increased subject to availability.
Send Your Guest List (At Least 2 Weeks Before Arrival)
At least a month before your visit, you will receive a blank copy of our Guest list. Please provide us with all dietary requirements and medical information for the whole group, including staff. It is essential that you provide comprehensive and complete information to enable a safe trip. Please complete all columns. For residential stays, you will also need to allocate bedrooms for your group.
Key information for your stay …
Safeguarding
The safety of your group is our top priority. All Magdalen staff:
- Hold current Safeguarding qualifications for children and vulnerable adults. Magdalen has a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy DSL,
- Follow Magdalen’s safeguarding and lone working procedures,
- Have completed DBS checks and are on the electronic update service,
- Have been fully verified through references,
- Have Health and Safety, Autism Awareness, Fire Safety and Fire Extinguisher qualifications. Other appropriate qualifications are held by relevant staff e.g. Food Safety and Hygiene qualifications are held by all Kitchen, Housekeeping and Learning and Nature Connection Team Staff,
- Level 3 First Aid qualifications are held by Education Rangers and some office staff.
Arrival
- Arrival & Departure Times. These will be confirmed at the time of booking. Typically, arrival is at 1:00pm and departure at 12:45pm for a Residential stay. A member of our team will meet and greet your group on arrival.
- Welcome & Safety Talk. Your visit will begin with an introductory talk covering Health & Safety and Fire procedures. All visiting staff must be present for this.
Mealtimes
We’re experienced at catering for a wide range of allergies and dietary needs. Food is a big deal for us and we’ve worked hard at providing child-friendly, nutritious and familiar dishes that leave children and adults feeling full and energised.
- If staying for a residential, please bring a packed lunch for the first day, unless previously agreed.
- At mealtimes, we ask visiting staff to serve meals, ensuring every child is cared for.
- It is everyone’s responsibility to have a tidy and clean dining room after meals. We have a system of Dinner Deputies to facilitate this.
Wellbeing & Behaviour
- Visiting staff are responsible for the behaviour and wellbeing of their group at all times.
- During activities, visiting staff remain responsible even if a pupil is withdrawn from a session.
Free Time & Evenings
- Some free time may be scheduled between activities or in the evenings. These times must be supervised by visiting staff.
- We provide indoor and outdoor games equipment, as well as access to our large playing field.
- On some evenings, Magdalen staff will run activities (as shown on your itinerary). On other evenings, visiting staff may run activities — we’re very happy to provide you with ideas.
- Some schools choose to bring a film to watch using our projector or hold an evening talent show.
Illness & Medical Needs
- If anyone becomes unwell, please inform your visit lead.
- For hospital visits, notify a member of staff straight away. Overnight emergencies should use the emergency phone number provided to you at the start of the trip.
Night-Time Arrangements
On your first evening, a Magdalen staff member will:
- Show your group leader how to secure the building. It’s very simple.
- Provide an emergency contact name and number
It is the visiting group’s responsibility to check and lock all doors, windows, and skylights overnight. If you have any queries please contact Alice, our Administrator, or our Learning and Nature Connection Team, who will plan and lead your visit. They can both be contacted through hello@magdalen.farm
Provide a downloadable, editable letter for schools to send to parents? CAN BE FOUND IN ‘WEBSITE’ FOLDER
Visiting Magdalen Farm is all about having fun, learning through real outdoor adventures and being together.
Magdalen Farm has been running as an outdoor education centre since the early 1990’s and as a charity, which has kept going through many changes. We are an accredited member of Learning Outside the Classroom and Social Farms and Gardens along with holding the Soil Association’s Organic status.
We know how to create happy, formative experiences that make memories for a lifetime. We even have people returning as adults bringing their own group of children/young people, whether as a class teacher or recently, a leader for a group of young carers.
Groups choose Magdalen because of our bespoke programmes of activity, welcoming and kind staff, clean and comfortable accommodation and delicious home-cooked, young person friendly food.
Magdalen’s Education Rangers all have years of teaching experience who are passionate about helping young people blossom and sharing their love of nature. All activities are aligned with the curriculum and staff have a great deal of experience working with people with SEND; each and every young person matters to us.
“I can’t wait to tell my mum about all the things I’ve done this week. She’ll never believe me”
“Everything in the farm makes me feel happy”
“I’m so proud that I managed to feed the pigs today. I was too scared to do it on Tuesday”
‘It has been great for the children who struggle in class to come here and thrive. All the children enjoy learning outside but these children are engaged with the topics, developing resilience, taking part in the activities and their concentration is great to see.’
Magdalen Farm is also beautifully situated for Field Studies. There are a variety of habitats on the 132 acre farm (meadows, woods, floodplain, conservation areas and the river Axe which is undergoing an impressive rejuvenation). We are 20km from the UNESCO Jurassic Coast World Heritage site; a drive of 25 minutes to the fossil hotspot of Charmouth.
Your child’s group leader will choose the activities suited to the group. All the activities are hands-on and there is no waiting around for turn taking. Here are a few examples of activities that your child will probably be involved in. Caring for the farm animals, collecting eggs, team games, orienteering, exploring (and getting muddy) in the woods, harvesting vegetables, creating natural crafts, investigating the river or pond, making pizzas in an outdoor oven and enjoying a campfire in the evening. There’s down time, too, for all-important free play, socialising or maybe just enjoying quiet time.
We are confident that children and young people will enjoy their stay, group leaders return time again and enjoy the home from home feel. They know that they and their group, your child, will be cared for at all times.
What should your child bring to Magdalen Farm?
At Magdalen your child will spend almost all their time outside. The days are long (but lots of fun!) Learning to spend time outdoors comfortably in all weathers is an important part of residential visits at Magdalen.
You will receive a separate kit list with details of what we recommend your child to bring. To ensure your child is comfortable and can enjoy their stay, please supply them with all the items stated on the list. It’s such a shame if they don’t enjoy themselves because they’re cold or wet or have too much sun! If it is difficult to provide everything on the kit list, please speak to your child’s group leader. Magdalen has a few supplies for emergencies.
Please pack your child’s suitcase or bag with your child present so they know what is in their bag and which compartments things are in. We do have children who come to the farm not knowing what clothing or equipment is in their case; this makes it much harder for them when getting organised for activities.
On average, each group that visits Magdalen brings over 900 items of clothing and equipment with them. Please label EVERYTHING your child brings with them. Only named items can be returned. We would prefer you don’t send your child with anything of value, such as mobile phones or electronic devices.
Do you need to supply any bedding?
All bedding will be supplied by Magdalen. If your child suffers from bed wetting, please provide them with disposable nighttime pull up pants or let your child’s leader know so that we can discreetly add a waterproof mattress cover to their bed. Bathrooms are close to bedrooms should your child feel more comfortable changing away from their friends or you could provide a changing robe.
Does your child need to bring any money?
Your group leader will advise you as to whether your group will be visiting the Magdalen gift shop. We sell Magdalen magnets, keyrings, pencils etc. (usually £3 to £5 is ample).
What type of accommodation is available?
We have two accommodation buildings, The Old Dairy and the Farmhouse. Both buildings provide secure, comfortable and warm accommodation in dormitory style rooms with shared bathroom facilities. Each group will have sole use of their dormitory area.
Your group leader is responsible for assigning bedrooms before the group arrives.
What type of food will be offered?
The food served at Magdalen is tasty, nutritious and plentiful! We know that eating away from home can be a big deal, so we work hard at providing child-friendly meals and snacks that also meet individual dietary requirements yet does not single anyone out. We use as much food from the farm as possible, otherwise we like to buy organic and local produce. Three tasty meals are supplied daily and at least a morning and afternoon snack. A fruit bowl is kept replenished throughout the stay.
We offer a breakfast which includes cereal, toast, and on set days a choice of two cooked items such as scrambled eggs and beans.
Lunch is often the main cooked meal of the day to keep tummies full and energy high for the day’s activities.
The evening meal will often be a meal like our popular ‘Party tea’ or ‘Pasta bar’. This is a meal where people can choose their meal and their favourite toppings.
‘The build your own meals worked really well, children could pick what they were eating and only chose the foods that they knew they would like to eat.’
We discourage children from bringing sweets and snacks to Magdalen. As we are a working farm, in the countryside, sweets and snacks hidden in bedrooms tend to attract unwanted creatures which may not enhance your child’s stay!
What do you need to tell Magdalen before a visit?
Before any group visit, we ask the group leaders to provide Magdalen with the following information:
Name
Allergies (food and non-food)
Food Intolerances
Special dietary requirements
Medical Information
Additional needs
Disabilities
We are able to adapt our dishes to cater for most dietary requirements; please give as much detail as you can about what these requirements are. For example: ‘Gluten Free’ doesn’t tell us enough. We need to know if this is an allergy, or a mild intolerance – and if it includes barley gluten, or trace gluten in oats, or if it is just wheat.
This information relates to the handling of animal feed, as well as to the food we serve.
Additional information may be required by the group leaders.
All of this will help us to ensure that everyone who visits Magdalen has a safe and enjoyable experience.
We know that you are going to love your stay at Magdalen Farm. You will share a room with your friends and get to do loads of activities outdoors. Spending time with the farm animals is always a highlight and you might get to hear an owl or see a deer, too! You may be feeding chickens, collecting eggs, taking part in team games, orienteering, investigating rivers and streams, exploring Magdalen’s woods, making arts and crafts, harvesting vegetables, building shelters, lighting fires (and cooking snacks on them). You will make memories that last a lifetime.
Clothing, footwear and packing
At Magdalen you will spend almost all your time outside. The days are long (but lots of fun!) Learning to spend time outdoors comfortably in all weathers is an important part of visits to Magdalen. If you want to be comfortable and get the most out of your stay, please come with all the items stated on the Kit List. Have a chat with your parent and they can let your leader know if you don’t have everything. Magdalen has a few supplies for emergencies.
Magdalen is a working farm so that means that there’s often mud! Please only bring any clothing or footwear that you don’t mind getting muddy or wet.
On average, each group that visits Magdalen brings over 900 items of clothing and equipment with them. Please label EVERYTHING you bring; if items are left behind, we will ask you to pay the postage to have them returned! We would prefer that you don’t bring anything very valuable. Please note that you will not be allowed to use mobile phones during activities.
Medical
Your group leaders will ask you to complete a medical form prior to your stay. Please make sure your parent/carer shares any medical (or related) matters you have e.g. asthma, hay fever, allergies or bed wetting. The more information we have, the more fun your stay will be. If you’re worried about anything let your parent know that you’re worried and they will let the right person know. Medical information is confidential, so that means that only adults who need to know something will be told.
Food
The food served at Magdalen is all home-made and delicious. We use as much food from the farm as possible, so you know where it comes from. You will have 3 meals a day, at least two tasty snacks and there’s also loads of fruit available, too. You won’t go hungry and you don’t need to worry; Magdalen’s cooks are brilliant at cooking and making sure that nobody feels different because of their food needs.
Magdalen’s cooks cater for any dietary requirements; we just need this information before your stay. So, you will need to inform your group leader as soon as you can. well in advance. Dietary requirements include vegetarians, vegans, those with allergies, faith related requirements such as pork free diets, and those requiring wheat or dairy free diets.
You will probably need to bring a packed lunch and drink on the day of your arrival at Magdalen Farm. Your group leader will let you and your parent know if you do.
And finally …
You will have a brilliant time. Some of the activities that you do will be familiar and some things you won’t be used to. You might feel a bit worried and that’s OK. Here at Magdalen Farm we love having visitors like you and we are used to it! So, we know how to make sure you feel comfortable and happy. We can’t wait to see you!
“Just give everything a go, you never know what you might achieve – and you will make new friends with people you may not have spoken to before, and you will try delicious food”
“Please make more residentials here so people like us can have as much fun as we did”
Magdalen activities are all outside so regardless of what time of year you visit, the following five items are essential.
A good waterproof jacket – large enough to fit over several layers of clothing
Waterproof over trousers
Wellington boots or walking boots with thick socks
Water bottle labelled with child’s name
Warm hat e.g. woolly hat
Plenty of layers of warm, comfortable old clothing (jeans are not good for outdoor activities as they do not dry quickly), non-cotton tracksuit type clothing is best. Clothing that can be worn in many layers is much more flexible and allows adjustment to the weather and conditions.
Thick socks (including a long thick pair to wear with Wellingtons)
Underwear
Pyjamas
Backpack (for packed lunch on first day, clipboards etc.)
Outdoor shoes such as trainers or walking boots (designated to only be worn outside the building) – These are ESSENTIAL if your group will be doing the Low Ropes Challenge Activity (wellies and converse-style canvas trainers are not suitable)
Indoor shoes such as slippers or trainers (designated to only be worn inside the building)
Trainers or shoes to wear on the coach
Warm coat (if waterproof jacket is a thin material)
Towel and wash kit
Sun cream and sun hat
Torch and spare batteries
Camera (optional)
A game or book for quiet time e.g. top trumps
Three spare plastic bags to take home dirty laundry, muddy waterproofs and muddy wellies
Teddy bear!
Packed lunch for the first day
If the visit is in the colder months you will need to bring a lot of layers of clothes, extra thick socks, a warm hat, scarf and gloves. If the visit is in the warmer months and have planned a beach visit you may want to bring swimwear and an extra towel for paddling in the sea.
Please note that we accept no responsibility for property left with us or left in the centre or farm. All visitors should ensure they have adequate insurance cover in place either under their own household policies or group policy to provide cover for personal liability and possessions.
Please ensure all personal items are clearly labelled.
Please use these interactive drawings to help plan your visit. Choose Old Dairy or Farmhouse, then roll your mouse over the rooms to have a look inside.
Please use these interactive drawings to help plan your visit. Choose Old Dairy or Farmhouse, then tap the rooms to have a look inside.