School Visits

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary School Experience



Academic Year 2024 to 2025

A warm welcome to school groups

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary School Experience offers an unforgettable and educational opportunity for both local and visiting school groups. Set in the beautiful, rural Wroxall Valley, our 55-acre sanctuary provides a perfect outdoor classroom where students can learn about caring for our donkeys, develop teamwork and practical skills, boost their confidence, and create lifelong memories. 

What to expect from your school experience 

Our School Experience is packed with fun, educational activities designed to engage students and encourage hands-on learning. 

The school visit Includes: 

• Welcome and health & safety briefing 
  Your visit begins with a warm introduction from our friendly team in our beautiful wildlife meadow. We’ll cover all the necessary health and safety information to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit. 
• Explore our yard and learn about animal care 
  Students will step into the daily life of caring for our donkeys. They’ll learn about feed enrichment, nutrition, and how a balanced diet keeps our animals healthy. There’s even a chance for students to make the donkeys’ favourite tea! 
• Tour the sanctuary and meet the donkeys 
  Our donkeys each have unique stories and personalities. On the tour, students will learn how our much loved animals came to live at the sanctuary and what makes each of them special.
• Debrief session 
  At the end of the visit, we gather to reflect on our experience. This debrief allows students to share what they’ve learned and gained during their time at the sanctuary. 

Additional information for teachers 

• Duration: 
  The entire school experience lasts approximately 90 minutes. We also allocate an additional 30 minutes for debrief and shopping time. 
• Souvenirs: 
  Every student will receive an Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary souvenir rosette and a copy of our souvenir guide to celebrate their hard work and achievements. 
• Picnic Area: 
  After the visit, students are welcome to use our dedicated picnic area. It’s equipped with picnic benches and is located next to our wildlife meadow and a paddock, where students might spot one of our herds! 
• Gift Shop: 
  Our gift shop, located in the courtyard, is the perfect spot for students and staff to pick up a souvenir. 
• Café: 
  Our café offers a wide selection of hot and cold drinks, cakes, meals and snacks.

Cost 

• £15 per student 
  Teachers are free of charge. We have free parking for coaches, accessible toilets and handwashing facilities available on-site. 

Times 

To ensure the welfare of our donkeys, school visits are available on the following days and times all year round. 

• Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays 
• 10.30am and 1.30pm 

We can accommodate up to 30 students per visit. Please contact us if you have a larger group. 

Booking and Payment 

• Payment: 
  Full payment is required in advance to confirm your booking. 
• Cancellations or Amendments: 
  We understand that plans change. If you need to amend your booking, please contact us with at least 4 weeks' notice. We’ll do our best to accommodate changes, but please note, bookings cannot be confirmed until payment has been received.

For more information or to book your school group, call us on 01983 852693   or   fill in the form below.

 
We look forward to welcoming you and your students to the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary.