FOR PARENTS
Whether your child is coming to stay at How Hill overnight, or visiting for the day, you may have questions or concerns.
Hopefully this section will help:
Safety
The children’s safety is our main concern in everything that we do. How Hill has operated as an environmental education centre since 1968 so the whole site is set up with keeping children safe in mind. All our activities have been thoroughly tested and risk assessed and we have been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge in recognition of our high standards in safety and education. Schools staying at How Hill have the house and gardens to themselves and will not share facilities with other groups (except for during a short change-over period).
All staff have been DBS checked. (Disclosure and Barring Service)
Food and Drink
All our food is freshly made in our kitchens – just like proper home cooking, but on a larger scale. We provide schools with a menu of healthy, child-friendly meal options to choose from. We are used to catering for special dietary requirements and allergies, but please make sure that the teacher planning your trip is aware of these well in advance so that the necessary arrangements can be made. Our kitchen has a five star hygiene rating.
We provide regular snack and drink stops throughout the day in addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner. We warm the children up with hot chocolate after chilly winter boat trips and make sure they drink plenty of water in the summer.
Bedrooms
All our bedrooms are warm and clean, with ensuite bathrooms. Many rooms are dormitory style with several beds, but there are no bunk beds. All bedrooms blackout curtains and nightlights are available if needed.
All our beds have waterproof mattress protectors. If bedwetting is a possibility please tell the teacher planning your trip so they can discreetly keep an eye on things.
Clothing
Please send your child with old clothes as they will get dirty. Lots of layers are a good idea, especially in winter, when they will also need gloves and a hat. Even in summer the weather can change quickly so please provide warm and waterproof clothes just in case. Download a suggested kit list.
Spending money
We do have a small gift shop with items ranging from 20p to £5. Your school will tell you if they plan to use the shop and their policy for spending money.
Children with disabilities
How Hill is a brilliant place, and we want everybody to have the chance to visit and get involved as much as they can. We do everything we can to adapt our activities to meet children’s learning and physical needs as much as possible.
Please talk through any concerns you have with the teacher planning your trip in the first instance, or contact Lizzy Ames, Education Manager lizzy@howhilltrust.org.uk
Here are some of the nice things people say about How Hill:
‘Excellent value for money! An action packed week in a beautiful environment with lovely staff. What could be better?’ Kate Golding, Oxford House School
‘Fantastic meals with a good choice of healthier options. Also very adaptable for our fussy eaters.’Lewis Wilkins, Hethersett Junior School
For Children
You are going to have a great time staying at How Hill and we can’t wait to meet you!
You will stay in a beautiful house with your friends and teachers.
You will take part in loads of fun and interesting activities, which your teachers will choose for you.
You can play in our gardens with a maze, lots of paths and hidey holes.
You will have delicious food to eat.
You will need to bring a bed sheet, pillow, sleeping bag and you can even bring a cuddly toy!