{accordion=Who is 4th Dimension?}

4th Dimension was established in 1987 by Chris Taylor, a graduate teacher of physical and outdoor education after 12 years teaching experience. His aim has always been to provide quality learning experiences to all age groups. 4th Dimension courses are equally relevant to Year 4 school children and adults from Schools, Colleges and Corporate backgrounds: all that changes is the means of presentation according to the course aim. In addition to our Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) accreditation we also hold the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge.(LOTC)

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{accordion=Instructor Qualifications}

All 4th Dimension staff are trained to a high level. Every year their qualifications are checked and inspected by AALA, the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority and every 3 years by a LOTC inspector. All staff hold a current first aid award, an enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check and a Basic Food Hygiene award.

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{accordion=What is your Insurance cover?}

We hold a 10million Public Liability cover. This applies to all the activities we run both on and off our site/s. You are not covered for loss or damaged property, or illness/accidental injury. Schools/parents should take out their own cover for personal accident, injury, curtailment etc.

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{accordion=What does the course price include?}

Accommodation, food(during residential courses), instruction and all activities including evening sessions. One member of staff can go free for every 10 children. Additional staff will be charged at £13 per day.

Please note: You must book your own transport to us, we do not provide this for you.

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{accordion=When do I need to pay by?}

See Terms and Conditions for deposits, payments and cancellation.

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{accordion=Is there a minimum age?}

No, provided we agree an activity programme suitable to the age of your participants. We have a minimum height requirement of 1m20 for Tree Track and participants in water based paddle activities should be confident to swim in a buoyancy aid.

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{accordion=What security measures are there?}

The site is the Girl Guides National Outdoor Centre.

All access gates can be locked and there is a locked night barrier.

Teachers either stay in the same building as the students or immediately adjacent to the students’ tents. Our staff stay on site and your course director is immediately contactable at all hours.

We offer a night security service for camping courses for £100 +VAT per night.

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{accordion=What are the responsibilities of our staff?}

We have a comprehensive section on visiting staff responsibilities in our policy document (obtainable on request). We will establish a policy between our staff and yours to agree our areas of responsibilities for the students during their course. It is ideal if there is a visiting member of staff (these may be teachers, teaching assistants, parents etc.) with each of the activity groups and we require this for all off-site activities. Some on-site activities are so close together that one adult can supervise two activities. There is always a course director available during the day and at night for emergencies. Our staff will be in charge of the groups during session times. During free time and night time, we hand that responsibility over to the teachers or groups leaders.

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{accordion=Is there somewhere for staff to charge mobile phones, laptops etc.?}

Yes, there is for visiting group leaders, but we do not recommend that such devices are brought by people under 18. Any valuables are brought at your own risk.

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{accordion=Can I use the Internet?}

We have an office on site in which you can connect to the internet and use our landline.

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Activities

{accordion=What evening activities are there?}

We run activities on all evenings during a residential until approximately 9.30pm. You can select your evening activities from our comprehensive list and the favourites are indoor climbing, swimming(subject to availability), campfire, bungy trampoline and wide games.

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{accordion=What happens if a child does not wish to do an activity?}

We do not coerce, we encourage. We try to get people to have a go before they decide not to participate. If there are medical reasons why a child cannot participate in an activity we will find a suitable alternative: this may mean repeating another activity. Children who are afraid of water can be assigned an alternative activity form the programme.

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{accordion=Will the children need to be confident swimmers?}

Non swimmers can use our pool which is maximum of 1m20 deep. Non swimmers who are water confident can go kayaking, canoeing, katakanuing as they will be wearing a properly fitted buoyancy aid.

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{accordion=What kind of waiting times are there during activities?}

Waiting times are often governed by the ability of the participants. We organize our activities so that as many people as possible are actively involved. Some activities only permit one/two participants at a time. In others (kayaking, low ropes, tree track, orienteering etc), everyone takes part together. On some activities, we encourage participants to look after the ropes for their friends under close supervision. We believe it is good for the children to help each other in safety matters.

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{accordion=What size are the groups?}

Group sizes may be up to 12 but we prefer 10. The ratio for kayaking is 8:1 and katakanus 12:1.

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{accordion=What adult participant ratio do we need?}

It is ideal for there to be one adult supervisor per group. It is our policy that all groups going off site are accompanied by an adult supervisor. Some on site activities are so close together that two groups can be safely supervised by one adult. We strongly recommend that you check your LEA guidelines.

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Camping and Indoor Accommodation

{accordion=Where do the teachers sleep?}

Indoor accommodation:

Weavers – there are 2 twin staff rooms.

Herons(available out of season only) twin rooms

Wagtail – 4 staff to a room

Restrop – 3 staff to a room

Glamping – we have 12 new wooden structures with canvas walls which each accommodate 6 to 8 students. Teachers can stay in shelters which have three private sleeping compartments each. Alternatively they can stay in individual tents close by.

Camping – Each teacher has his/her own tent. Some staff prefer to bring their own tents and this is fine too. Just let us know in advance.

For overnight stays you will need a sleeping bag, pillow and ground insulating mat.

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{accordion=What are your tent sizes?}

We have upgraded most of our tents to sewn in ground sheet family style tents.

We have different sizes of tent so after you have given us the ratio of boys to girls we can recommend the most suitable tents.

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Food

{accordion=What are the catering arrangements?}

The children will need a packed lunch for the first day of a residential or for a day course. We can provide this by arrangement. All other food is supplied and cooked daily on site: breakfasts and lunches by our staff and evening meals by our specialist caterer who holds a Food Hygiene Rating of 5*. We eat in our marquees on camping/glamping courses. You need to supply us with any dietary requirements two weeks before the course so our caterer can provide suitable dishes. The information for this can be found on the bottom of the medical forms that the parent/guardian completes.

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{accordion=Transport}

Transport between the school and Blackland Farm is arranged by the school, usually by coach or minibus. Transport between activities is provided by 4th Dimension, in 8 seat vehicles with 3 point seat belts and head restraints. In the unlikely event that a child needs to leave the site, it is vital that at least one visiting member of staff brings their own transport.

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