A collection of comments about CEES, its Centres and courses.


The comments quoted here are taken directly from teachers' evaluation forms and childrens' letters.
New comments will be added regularly.


When?

Who?

Where?

What?
22 June 2010 Kingsfield Primary School, Cambridgeshire Coldham Wind Farm, Energy Works, Y3 A very effective and enjoyable day.  A great help with our local area study.
20 June Stamford Junior School, Lincolnshire Stibbington Centre, Snail Trail, Reception This is a super course for the children and couldn't be improved upon.  The children loved the day and were keen to carry on learning about snails back in school.
16 June 2010 Gipsy Bridge Primary School, Lincolnshire Coldham Wind Farm, Energy Works, Y5 & 6 An excellent, well organised visit, children were engaged and motivated throughout - lots of learning for us to follow up.
9 - 11 June 2010 Teacher, Eyrescroft Primary School, Petebrorough Stibbington Residential Centre, 3-day Environmental Education course

Catering - yum!

Course leadership - brilliant - loved the teachers

Course equipment - Loved the snails

Course programme - great variety
27 May 2010 Teacher, Steeple Morden Primary School, Cambridgeshire Upware Centre, Investigating habitats and food chains, Y5 An excellent day, very well organised, led and resourced.  Children gained a greater understanding and broader experience of habitats, underpinning theoretical discussions in class. 
26 May 2010 Teacher, Alconbury Primary School, Cambridgeshire Stibbington Day Centre, Investigating Rivers, Year 3 All aspects excellent.  Children's response was very enthusiastic.  "Awesome" was mentioned.
21 April 2010 Teacher, John Clare Primary School, Peterborough Stibbington Centre, Investigating Rivers, Year 3/4 Facilities were super.  Leadership was excellent.  The course was pitched at just the right level and the course programme was excellent.
19 April 2010 Teacher, Stretham Primary School, Cambridgeshire Learning across the Curriculum in the School Grounds - a whole staff training day at the school All aspects of the day excellent.  The programme gave staff hands-on experience and opportunities to try things out. 
26 March 2010

Teachers and children,

Ashbeach Primary School, Cambridgeshire

 Stibbington Centre, GREEN DAY FOR ECO ACTION, involving groups of 8 children from 15 different schools

We had the most marvellous day.  We brought our Eco Councillors, School Council and Gardening Group. I could not fault the organisation.  Children came back invigorated having enjoyed all aspects of the day.  Their comments:

Top rated - a 5 star day.

Surprised how much fun eco stuff is.

The experience was brilliant.

The whole day was fab.
23 - 24 March 2010 Teacher and children, Somersham Primary School, Cambridgeshire Stibbington Centre, ECO COUNCILLORS' CONVENTION, a 2-day residential course involving Eco Councillors from 4 schools

Everything was first class.  Children loved the grounds and the catering.  The programme involved a good variety of well-thought out activities.  Our Year 5 Eco Councillors are now "fired up" to lead the rest of the school next year.  They said:

I really enjoyed making new friends.

Everyone had a great time and we got lots of ideas for our school.

I wish the trip was longer.

Please thank the chef for the wonderful food - mmmm!

It was good to meet children from other schools and hear about what they have done to be eco-friendly.
5 March 2010 Teacher, Histon & Impington Junior School, Cambridgeshire Coldham Wind Farm, Energy Works, Y5  Learning outcomes were very successful.  Children enjoyed all the activities, especially being up close to a wind turbine, measuring wind speed and discussing climate change.
22 - 26 February 2010 Teacher, Park Lane Primary School, Cambridgeshire Stibbington Centre, 5-day residential course for Y4, supporting Science and Georgraphy curriculum All activities excellent, fitting in well with our science and geography curriculum.  Children's knowledge and understanding of habitats and geography was enhanced and the experience allowed growth in their independence and even what food they'll eat!
27 January 2010 Teacher, Danesholme Junior School, Northants Stibbington Day Centre, Evacuation Day, T6 All aspects of service very good.  The day made an excellent contribution to pupils' progress and helped history come alive.
20 - 22 January 2010 Teacher, St John's Primary School, Peterborough Stibbington Residential Centre, 3-day environmental education course, Y3 All aspects of service very good.  The programme was just what we wanted and more.
15 January 2010 Teacher, Spaldwick Primary School, Cambs Coldham Wind Farm, Energy Works, Y5 A very well organised and structured visit.  A great experience for the children, which I hope will now lead to increased participation in the classroom.
30 November 2009 Teacher, Middlefield Primary School, Cambs Workshop in school, Energy Works, Y5 & 6  Pupils were engaged and enjoyed using the instruments.  The workshop enhanced what was done at the Wind Farm.  Very good and informative.
27 November 2009 100 delegates from schools throughout Cambridgeshire and beyond
CEES Sustainable Schools Conference 2009,
Girton College, Cambridge
More than 90% of evaluations rated very good (grade 1 out of 5)
Comments included:
Inspirational talks and workshops.
Lots of new ideas.
A brilliant day, thank you!
18 - 20 November 2009 Teacher, Newark Hill primary School, Peterborough Stibbington Residential Centre, 3-day environmental education course, Y4 Catering absolutely fantastic.  Super programme delivered by highly skilled and motivated staff.
11 November 2009 Teacher, Witham Hall School Stibbington Day Centre, Investigating Rocks, Y3 An excellent day which the children loved and was a pleasure to run.  Really "cemented" the idea of different rocks and how they are made.
19 - 23 October 2009 Pupil, Icknield Primary School, Cambs Stibbington Residential Centre, 5-day environmental education course, Y6 At Stibbington I learnt many things that might be vital for my future.  Being at Stibbington has made me think about the world and everything that lives in it.  My Eco goal was to try and switch things off and to recycle more paper.  I think I have made progress with the recycling but need more time to switch things off properly.  Being eco-friendly was the main thing I learnt during my stay.  It encouraged me to try to protect the world as much as I can (and remind my parents to switch off the tele and computer properly!). 
16 October 2009 Teacher, Wisbech Grammar School, Magdalene House Upware Centre, Making 'sense' of our environment, R / Y1 Leader very aware of the needs of young children.  Very good range of materials and activities, all of which reinforced what had been and will be covered in class.
8 October 2009 Teacher, Westfield Junior School, Cambs Stibbington Day Centre, Evacuation Day, Y6 All excellent.  An extremely enjoyable and realistic experience which has had a large impact, especially on writing.
1 June 09 Teacher, Alderman Jacobs Primary, Cambs Stibbington Day Centre, Evacuation Day, Y3 Learning objectives very successfully covered and pupils response was very positive.
21 May 09 Teacher, Steeple Morden Primary, Cambs Upware Centre, Investigating habitats and food chains, Y4 A fantastic day - we will be coming back. Children very engaged, actively exploring habitats, using appropriate language, raising knowledge and understanding
20 May Teacher, Ashbeach Primary, Cambs Coldham Wind Farm, Energy Works, Y5/6 We had a super day and learnt a great deal. The activities complemented everything we have been doing at school.
18 - 20 May 09 Teacher, Leighton Primary School, Peterborough Stibbington Centre, 3-day residential cenvironmental education course, Y2/3 Children learned so much - map skills, rocks and fossils, group collaboration, confidence, independence, recycling and conservation.
12 May 09 Teacher, Peterborough High School Stibbington Day Centre, Investigating Rivers, Y5 All excellent as usual
7 May 09 Teacher, Holywell Primary, Cambs Upware Centre, Fenland, Food, farming and Flossie, YF A really lovely place to visit. Perfect for younger children. Lovely leader, well organised and friendly. One of the best visits we have been on. Well done!
30 April 09 Teacher, Hampton Vale, Peterborough Stibbington Day Centre, Investigating habitats and food chains, Y 4 An excellent course with many improvements since my visit last year, and great improvements to the centre grounds.
29 April 09 Pupils, All Saints Junior School, Peterborough Stibbington Day Centre, Investigating Rocks, Y3

"I thought I was grown up when I used the microscope"
"I liked hunting for fossils and making soil in the quarry"
20 - 22 April Pupils, Oakington Primary School, Cambs Stibbington Centre, 3-day residential environmental education course Y6

"Displayed on the walls were some phenomenal educational masterpieces."
"We would like to thank all the staff for such a kind attitude towards us. We are grateful and thankful that you looked after us and taught us about being Eco-friendly. Thank you for a brilliant time that none of us will forget!"
"We especially enjoyed the fabulous food because it was fresh and delicious. Please tell the chef that we loved it."
20 - 22 April 09 Teacher, Oakington Primary School, Cambs Stibbington Centre, 3-day residential environmental education course Y3 Lovely staff and atmosphere. Classroom and equipment excellent. Centre grounds fantastic.
21 April 09 Teacher, Wyton Primary School, Cambs Upware Centre, Investigating Rivers, Y4 An excellent course. All the practical work for my topic completed in one day.
20 April Head Teacher, Icknield Primary School, Cambs Eco Schools and learning in the school grounds - whole staff training day What a fantastic day. All the teachers and the teaching assistants were most impressed with the content, the resources, the handouts and the delivery. There was something for everyone whatever their role, and lots of practical activity. It was lovely to see the staff working together on a common theme and it gave us a tremendous springboard for starting off on our Eco award.
30 March - 1 April 09 Pupils, At Anne's Primary, Godmanchester, Cambs Stibbington Centre, 3-day residnetial environmental eductaion course Y4

"Thank you for teaching us some really cool stuff."
"Thank you for taking us to your nature reserve. I hope we weren't too noisy for the animals."
"I've been saving energy since I came to Stibbington and my mum's friend is taking me to see a wind turbine."
"Thank you for making me have a lovely time. You put a smile on my face."
30 March 09 Teacher, John Clare Primary School, Peterborough Stibbington Centre, Investigating habitats and food chains, Y5.6 Pupils' response was focussed and very enthusiastic. The day consolidated and extended classroom learning.
26 March 09 Teacher, Abbey College, Cambs Coldham Wind Farm, Energy Works, Y10 Our visit was invaluable and feedback from the students has been excellent.
24 March 09 Teacher, Southview Primary School, Lincs Stibbington Centre, Exploring minibeasts, Y1 A very worthwhile day. Children were captivated. "Seeing is believing".
24 March 09 Teacher, Thomas Clarkson College, Cambs Coldham Wind Farm, Energy Works GCSE Y11 First hand experience at the wind farm was very useful for the Energy component of our GCSE Geog course.
19 March 09 Pupils, Wisbech Grammar School Coldham Wind Farm and school workshops, Energy Works, Y5 Thank you for teaching us about wind turbines and how they work. I loved making a mini-wind turbine and all the other activities, but standing under a real wind turbine beat everything!
4 - 6 March 09 Paston Ridings Primary School, Peterborough Stibbington Centre, 3-day residential environmental education course Y3 All excellent. We have always found that those children who attend the science-focussed residential experience perform better in unit tests than those who don't.
3 March 09 Teacher, Weatheralls Primary School, Cambs Upware Centre, Investigating Rocks, Y3 The course fitted curriculum requirements very well. Pupils particularly enjoyed sorting rock samples, fossil hunting and soil making.
9 - 13 Feb 09 Educational Visits Co-ordinator, Southfields Junior School, Peterborough Stibbington Centre, 3-day residential environmental education course Y3 We believe Stibbington is ideal for our year 3s, most of whom have never stayed away from home before. We provide a residential expereince for all 4 of our year groups and the Stibbington experience is a perfect introduction.
2 - 4 Feb 09 Teacher, The Ashbeach Primary School Stibbington Centre, 3-day residential environmental education course Y3

Admin- could not have been more helpful
Facilities- Comfy, warm, welcoming
Catering- I haven't eaten so much in a long time. Children enjoyed all meals
Leadership - A brilliant staff team. CEES teachers were fantastic. They made learning fun and exciting. The snow was an added bonus.
19 - 21 Jan 09 Teacher, St John's School, Orton Stibbington Centre, 3-day residential environmental education course Y3 The children didn't want to go home and haven't stopped talking about Stibbignton. We would love to come again next year but it would depend on funding. The bursary from FOCUS made our visit possible this year.
19 - 21 Jan 09 Pupil, St John's School, Orton
 Stibbington Centre, 3-day residential environmental education course Y3 I wish I could stay here forever.
15 Jan 09 Teacher, Denfield Park Junior School Stibbington Centre Investigating Rivers Y5 Excellent programme with active, practical learning. Objectives met and children's response very positive.