Merlin partner with Recycool
06/07/2010
Recycool is the number one recycling and fundraising programme for schools in the UK. Money is donated to your school for every empty printer cartridge and mobile phone recycled - so the more you can collect, the more you can raise! To find our more, visit www.recycool.org
SEA LIFE Centre Launches 'Dragon's Den' Ideas Challenge
26/05/2010
The arrival of Weedy and Leafy Sea Dragons at the National SEA LIFE Centre this week has prompted the attraction to launch its own Dragon's Den challenge.
Spectacular cousins of the seahorse, the sea dragon from the seas off Western Australia, are especially vulnerable to pollution, and are both proteced species.
That's why the Centre is inviting visitors to post their own marine conservation suggestions in a special Dragon's Den post-box alongside the display tanks housing the new arrivals.
The best suggestion will earn its author a SEA LIFE Annual Pass...providing free admission to any SEA LIFE Centre or Sanctuary for a whole year.
For more details contact: Louise Wilce on 0121 643 6777
SEA LIFE Month of Biodiversity
25/05/2010
June is Biodiversity Month at the National SEA LIFE centre Birmingham, in conjunction with Natural England.
Natural England is the government's independent advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 their work is focused on enhancing England's wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
During May the National SEA LIFE centre are promoting this cause to school children and offering your class an added value experience as well as educating them on the Biodiversity plight. This will include
- 'Make and do' activity packs which can be done during their visit or back in the classroom. These can be downloaded from http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/campaigns/marineeventactivities.aspx
- Additional information in the daily talks and feeding demonstration
- Additional worksheets and fact sheets
- Each child will be given a map of the UK showing the different species of marine life in each area of the coast
For more information please email Birmingham.sealifecentre@merlinentertainments.biz
At SEA LIFE Birmingham - Britian's first Hammerhead Sharks!
19/03/2010
Bring your class to National SEA LIFE centre, Birmingham and meet its new residents, the stunning Hammerhead sharks! These strange and beautiful creatures, which will be the first in a UK aquarium. They join the black-tipped reef sharks and giant sea turtles in the ocean tank and will spearhead a major new conversation drive by the centre.
The Hammerhead sharks are not the only fascinating creatures in the amazing underwater world of SEA LIFE Birmingham. Prepare for astonishing close views of everything from humble starfish to otters and jellyfish, all in display which carefully recreate their natural habitats.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for your class to see these strange and beautiful animals up close.
For more information: www.sealife.co.uk
Madame Tussauds get arty with new Warhol zone and resource!
04/03/2010
Don't miss the new Madame Tussauds interactive Andy Warhol zone, where your pupils can step into a replica 1960's New York art studio and come face-to-face with one of the 20th Century's most influential artists along with the women he so famously immortalised. Marilyn Monroe, Jerry Hall, Jackie O, Lisa Minnelli and Judy Garland are all waiting to meet you, portrayed in a style inspired by Warhol's Pop Art.
Then bring home an exciting slice of pop culture by having your own photo taken, morphed into Pop Art style, and printed on a soup cup. A truely unique way to become a part of the art! Younger budding artists can even add Pop Art colours to a black and white projection of Madame Tussauds Marilyn Monroe figure - an experience guaranteed to make anyone feel like a true artist.
Plus, with the support of our inspiring Art & Design resources for Key Stage 1-3, your class can learn the trade secrets behind creating the rest of our famous waxworks.
Chessington invites pupils on a Zoo Quest...
11/02/2010
Chessington World of Adventures is celebrating the forthcoming opening' of their brand new African Savannah Experience by launching "Zoo Quest", a unique animal themed cross-curricular resource for Key Stages 1 & 2.
The African Savannah Experience, opening in June 2010, will be a unique opportunity for guests to enjoy an African inspired adventure starring Grevy Zebras, Statunga Antelopes and Scimitar Horned Oryx as they graze quietly on a 22-acre field. A raised wooden walkway will lead adventurers to a viewing tower in the middle of the field where they will be able to enjoy feeding sessions, animal talks and close encounters around the watering hole.
The new Zoo Quest resource is the perfect tool to help school guests get the most out of this new attraction, as well as the other fantastic areas within the Zoo and SEA LIFE centre.
Contents include:
PUPIL BOOKLETS - packed with fun facts, engaging activities & puzzles and animal stickers, the pupil booklet guides adventurers around 8 key areas of the Zoo and SEA LIFE centre, promoting interactive learning every step of the way!
WALLCHART - to display in the classroom before the visit to build pupil's excitement about what they will see, do and learn, then after the visit to offer a display area for the children's follow-up work.
FLASHCARDS - to deliver key facts about 6 featured animals and stimulate class discussion. Animals featured include: Sumatran Tiger, Humboldt Penguin, Poison Arrow Frog, Clown Fish, Scarlet Macaw and Curly Haired Tarantula.
Plus, there's a tiger USB, teacher notes and lesson plans, video footage, animal clip art and an Adventures Certificate included too - making it their wildest resource yet!
The Zoo Quest resource is provided free of charge to all schools visiting Chessington and participating in an animal themed workshop. For details of prices and how to book click here
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre launches in Manchester!
13/01/2010
Get ready for your PASSPORT to a LEGO® world of colour, creativity, learning and fun, as the UK's first LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre opens in Manchester. The unique, indoor attraction featuring over two million LEGO® bricks is located in The Trafford Centre's Barton Square and is perfect for children aged 3 to 12 years.
The Centre is made up of a series of interactive features to immerse children into a world where their imagination can run wild with creative inspiration at every turn. Featuring a whole host of exciting attractions, from Kingdom Quest LEGO® laser ride and the LEGO® City: Fire Station, to an amazing recreation of the North West's most iconic buildings, the Centre not only provides fun for LEGO® fans young and old, but offer fantastic educational benefits too.
In addition to being a great attraction for all the family to enjoy together, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre also features dedicated workshops for pupils studying towards Key Stage 1 and 2. These workshops, along with great value tickets for pupils and teachers, resource packs and great facilities such as free parking, make LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre a fantastic school trip destination.
Prices start from just £4.00 per primary school pupil, and £5.00 per secondary school pupil. For every five primary school children, one teacher will go free, and for every ten secondary school students, one teacher will go free. A number of Key Stage 1 and 2 workshops are also available, at a cost of £1 per pupil. Each workshop will last up to 30 minutes
Tall Towers Educational Workshop
- Recommended Ages: 6-10 years
- Subjects covered: Science and Design & Technology
Tall Towers is an elementary architecture class that introduces pupils to the world of structures, architects and building fundamentals. Through classroom instruction and hands-on experimenting, children learn how to build a LEGO® skyscraper that can withstand a simulated earthquake.
Tall Towers Jr.
- Recommended Ages: 3-5 years (Early Years Foundation Stage)
- Subjects covered: Colour and Pattern Recognition and Fine Motor Skill Coordination
Tall Towers Jr. is a hands-on workshop that helps pupils learn how to follow directions, recognise shapes and patterns, and develop fine motor skills. Pupils build LEGO® towers of various shapes, colours, and patterns. A fun, hands-on way to introduce young learners to classroom instruction.
LEGOLAND® Manchester MINILAND Tour
- Recommended Ages: 7-12 years
- Subjects covered: HIstory and Architecture
The Manchester MINILAND Tour is a unique, interactive guided tour through the LEGOLAND® MINILAND exhibit. Participants will learn all about the key iconic North West buildings and landscapes, and students will afterwards be challenged to think critically about designing a new building for Manchester in a hands-on classroom setting.
Race Car Workshop
- Recommended Ages: 9-12 years
- Subjects covered: Design & Technology, Science and Mathematics
The Race Car workshop is a fun, hands-on way to get pupils excited about mathematics and introduce them to elementary physics. Pupils build LEGO® race cars, race them on a track, collect data, and use arithmetic to calculate their car’s performance. Pupils also learn about the forces that affect their cars and use this information to create lean racing machines.
To book tickets and workshops, call 0871 222 2662.
Merlin Partner with Transport for London
13/11/2009
We are pleased to be working with Transport for London to help raise awareness of their ‘Wow’ and ‘Star Accreditation’ initiatives which promote sustainable travel to schools.
WoW encourages parents and pupils to walk to school at least once a week. With lots of great incentives it’s an exciting initiative for any school wanting to encourage walking on a regular basis.
The valued Star Accreditation is awarded to schools that devise and implement travel planning for their students. Dependant on the level of criteria met, the school can receive a Sustainable, Outstanding, Higher or even Platinum accreditation.
Plus, for the top schools receiving an Outstanding accreditation, there’s an opportunity to be awarded a free class trip to a Merlin attraction!
To find out how your school can get involved in either of these fantastic schemes please visit www.walktoschool.org.uk (and click on WoW) or www.staccreditation.org.uk
2010 M&IT Awards
09/11/2009
SEA LIFE London Aquarium is hoping to be named for the Best UK Unusual Venue at the 2010 M&IT Awards.
The organisers of this competion are offering the chance for you to win a five-star luxury trip to South Africa which inlcudes 6 nights in Cape Town and an action packed adventure tour of the region.
If you could spare a few moments to complete the form (you only need to complete one voting category) we would be delighted if you would put SEA LIFE London Aquarium as your choice for (Catergory P) Best UK Unusual Venue. Click on this link to enter http://bit.ly/45EuVY
The Polar Express 4-D Experience
08/11/2009
You are invited on an extraordinary adventure to the North Pole this Christmas on The Polar Express! This 13-minute experience tells the story of a doubting young boy who takes on an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole and embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him the wonder that life never fades for those who believe.
Don't miss this The Polar Express 4D Experience at the National SEA LIFE Centre, Birmingham from 14th November 10am - 1pm daily. For further information please call: 0871 222 6932.
THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and C Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s09)
Our MONTHLY Merlin Learning Experiences WINNERS...
06/11/2009
Tanya Gleeson from The Samworth Church Academy was our lucky draw winner for the month of June. Tanya will be taking her class for a free trip to Alton Towers Resort in October.
Lesley Slade from Tamesie College was our lucky draw winner for the month of July. Lesley will also be taking her class for a free trip to Alton Towers Resort early next year.
Watch this space for our lucky draw winners for the month of August and September!
If you would like to stand a chance to win a trip for you and your class to an attraction of your choice, then register with Merlin Learning!
Warwick Castle Teacher Taster Weekend 7th and 8th November
22/10/2009
This weekend will give you the opportunity to visit Warwick Castle for free with up to three family members to find out why this is the ultimate venue for school trips.
Warwick Catsle is a totally electrifying, full day out at Britian's ultimate castle. It is where you can immerse yourself in a thousand years of jaw-dropping history - come rain or shine! Experience the heat of battle at such close quarters you'll almost smell the fear, as winners become true heros and losers are confined to dark, dank dungeons to be forgotten for eternity.
Register your interest for free at: www.merlinlearning.co.uk/teachertaster
INVITATION: Join SEA LIFE London Aquarium in Shark Week 2009
08/10/2009
This year's European Shark Week will take place from 10th until - 18th October. It's a unique opportunity for people across Europe to demonstrate their support for shark conservation and effect change.
Save our Seas Foundation will be running events at the London Aquarium over two days (14th and 15th October) with Andy Starbuck from the Cool Seas Roadshow doing presentations on sharks and their role in the marine environment. Rumours are that he'll be bringing a hammerhead, a great white, and a baby basking shark to the event.
Since September 2006, the Roadshow has been touring primary/junior schools throughout the UK. Presenter Andy Starbuck thrills pupils and teachers alike when he introduces his life-size, inflatable whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, seals and propoises. Through a series of activities with volunteers from the audience, Andy explains the threats our marine wildlife faces and how we can all act to protect these amazing creatures.
To find out more, visit www.sealife.co.uk/london
FREE WORKSHOP OFFER
07/10/2009
The first 150 schools to book an educational visit during the month of October to either LEGOLAND® Windsor or Chessington World of Adventures will receive a free workshop for every pupil*.
Simply quote 'FREE TALK OFFER' when you book.
To book your educational talk at LEGOLAND® Windsor, call: 0871 42 32 280.
To book your educational talk at Chessington World of Adventures, call: 0871 282 5103.
*Subject to availability. Bookings must be made via the contact centre before 31st October 2009.
Exciting new Educational Resources available to download for FREE now!
07/08/2009
We are proud to offer a wide range of comprehensive educational resources to compliment your learning before, during and after a visit to one of our attractions. But now the choice just got even bigger! Joining our already popular selection are a variety of brand new resources, including the new ‘Relativity and Rollercoasters’ Science resource for THORPE PARK and Alton Towers Resort, the ‘Snacks, Shelter and Safety’ Science resource for Chessington World of Adventures and Alton Towers Resort, plus new Art & Design and Business Key Stage 3&4 resources for Madame Tussauds London. As if that’s not enough, there’s also the fabulous new ‘Bumperbots’ resource for LEGOLAND® Windsor too!
With our comprehensive and engaging resources you can be sure that the learning and fun you experience at our attractions will continue long after you get back to the classroom, whatever the subject! To view and download the full range of resources for FREE today, please click here
Business of Leisure 2009 - Your chance to learn our Trade Secrets...
06/08/2009
When it comes to learning about the business of leisure, THORPE PARK and Alton Towers Resort are the perfect case studies for inspiring your students! Behind all the non-stop fun and games lies a business that’s part of the second largest leisure group in the world. Of course, a lot of this is down to some of the best business minds in the industry, so who better to bring the subject of Business of Leisure to life for your students than the experts who keep our fun-packed company running!
NEW FOR 2009 at THORPE PARK
The ‘Health and Safety’ talk is a new addition to the existing offering. Learn how we keep visitors safe on some of the most thrilling rides in Europe. Also, learn how to recognise dangers in the workplace and associated procedures and protocols.
The THORPE PARK BOL event runs from 21 September – 2 October and only £14.50 per student. PLUS add £2 per student for a second talk. Click here for more information or to book, call 0870 990 6686
NEW FOR 2009 at Alton Towers Resort
‘Planning an Event’ is an exciting new talk for 2009. This ‘behind the scenes’ talk looks at key issues in event planning, followed by an opportunity for your students to plan, execute and evaluate their own mini-event.
The Alton Towers Resort BOL event runs from 28 September – 2 October and only £12 per student. PLUS add an extra presentation for only £1 per student. For more information or to book, call 0870 400 3090
Merlin chooses Manchester for the first UK LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
04/08/2009
Merlin Entertainments, UK and Europe’s biggest visitor attractions operator, are set to open its first UK LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre (LDC) in time for Easter next year, in The Trafford Centre, Manchester. This will also be Merlin’s first brand new attraction to open in the UK since the Edinburgh Dungeon in 2001.
First launched in Berlin in 2007, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centres are Merlin’s newest concept. Exciting new indoor attractions based on the ever popular LEGO® brick, a LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre offers a fun, highly interactive and educational experience ideal for children 3-12 years old. Reach out and touch the stars in the 4D cinema; learn top secrets from the LEGO® Master Model Builder; have fun on an exciting interactive LEGO® ride and see iconic global landmarks in the hugely popular MINILAND.
The £7.5m Manchester attraction will be the fourth LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre to open after Berlin; Duisburg in Germany; and Chicago, USA. The new Trafford Centre attraction, located in Barton Square, is one of 2 new LDC’s scheduled to open around the world in 2010.
Commenting Glenn Earlam, Managing Director of Merlin’s Midway Attractions’ Operating Group which includes the LDCs said: "Merlin is one of the few major companies in the sector which is continuing to invest heavily in both new and existing attractions not just in the UK, but globally. We have taken some time to find exactly the right location for our first UK LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre. We already have 21 attractions in the UK, including the London Eye, Alton Towers Resort, SEA LIFE and Madame Tussauds, but this is a particularly significant development for us because it is the first completely new site we have opened here in almost 10 years."
Watch this space for future updates on the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre, inlcuding school prices and offers as soon as they are announced.
Crocodiles Spotted in Weymouth!
18/06/2009
The first two residents of a new £1 million attraction planned at Weymouth SEA LIFE Park have being giving staff the evil eye!
They are a pair of South American cayman crocodiles around five-years-old and as yet only about half of their full-adult size of eight feet long.
They currently have a large quarantine tank all to themselves in the tropical fish collection centre, and they have a wooden platform to haul out onto if they want!
They are the first of an anticipated five caymans which will be housed in the new attraction Crocodile Creek.
Crocodile Creek will feature talks and information boards designed to deliver a crocodile conservation message.
Souvenir Photography Special Offer
27/05/2009
Souvenir Photography Special Offer
To make your school visit even more memorable we would like to make you aware of our special ride photography offer only available to School groups in 2009 at LEGOLAND® Windsor, Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo, and THORPE PARK.
This fantastic offer gives your party 50% OFF photos, key-rings and magnets which works out to just £3 each.
To take advantage of this offer please email your name, address and the park you are visiting to education@LEGOLAND.co.uk and we will send you a leaflet to take with you on the day of your visit.
SAW-The Ride - teach them a lesson they'll never forget!
08/04/2009
Teach your students a lesson they'll never forget with the help of the brand-new SAW-The Ride at THORPE PARK. Featuring a 'beyond vertical' drop of 100º from a nerve-shredding height of 100ft and three spectacular inversions, this is an incredible feat of engineering. So, where better to demonstrate the key principles of Science, Design & Technology and Maths?
Or why not give your class an amazing insight into how Marketing transformed a hair-raising rollercoaster into an exciting part of the iconic horror movie franchise, SAW. Join us for our fascinating 'Disciples of SAW' educational event from 22nd - 26th June, and hear testimonials from the experts who did just that!
Free entrance to Merlin Annual Pass holders when visiting as part of a school group
27/03/2009
We are pleased to announce a new way that you can save money on the total cost of your school trip - any members of your class that own a valid Merlin Annual Pass can come in for free at any of our UK attractions! Simply present passes upon arrival at the turnstiles along with the rest of the tickets from your class.
*Terms and conditions apply
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Warwick Castle prepares to unleash its darkest past with the Dungeons experience!
25/03/2009
Every castle needs a Dungeon, and king of castles Warwick is no exception. This Easter, our new attraction The Castle Dungeons will transport pupils into the darkest chapters in the Castle’s history, from terrors in the torture chamber to the foul pestilence of the plague. Subject to availability and an additional charge. For more information, please visit http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk/whats_hot/the_castle_dungeon.asp.
Alton Towers Resort introduces your class to a different kind of school
27/02/2009
Launching this year in the pirate-themed land Mutiny Bay is Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE - an amazing new aquarium full of underwater curiosities from the deepest parts of the world's oceans and seas. It's a great opportunity for your young pupils to come face to face with a myriad of fascinating marine creatures. For more information, please visit http://www.altontowers.com/pages/theme-park/sharkbait-reef.
New interactive resources from Madame Tussauds London
27/02/2009
Looking for inspiration to give your pupils a day out they’ll never forget?
New for 2009 we have developed an interactive, fun filled experience that has been adapted to relate directly to the Art & Design and Design & Technology curriculum for Key Stage 3. We are also offering an exciting resource to support the Leisure & Tourism curriculum for Key Stages 4 & 5. For more information, please visit http://www.madametussauds.com/London/About/ForSchools/Default.aspx
