The Rainforest Workshop is aimed at both the top end of KS/1 and any year group in KS/2 - where teachers intend to study a specific habitat, at a far greater depth than is usual with our normal one-hour workshops. Whereas the Minibeast Workshop examines a number of different habitats, the Rainforest Workshop is designed to last for two hours minimum and, as its name implies, focusses on the Rainforest. Normally, if the school is two form entry – we have one class AM and one class PM. If there is a third class – we suggest that you split it.

It is a very specialist workshop and a firm favourite amongst a large number of schools, who enjoy the leisurely pace, the unusual tropical animals and a touch of drama - as Andrew Smith takes their children into a rainforest on an imaginary fieldtrip. He first equips the expedition, with what they will need as scientists, and then introduces them to the rainforest itself. Introduction over - we begin to explore the forest and meet the animals, which are to be found in three specific micro habitats (1) rainforest rivers, (terrapins, crabs and crocodiles), (2) the forest floor (cockroaches, millipedes, beetles, lizards, toads, snails, tarantulas - then finally (3) the canopy. Here we meet flying cockroaches, frilled lizard, Eurycantha stick-insects, tarantula spiders, tree frogs and snakes. He also takes the opportunity to demonstrate a blow pipe and dress up a child as a Dayak hunter. The workshop includes a most wonderful collection of crocodile heads, skulls, turtle and terrapin shells, (courtesy of HM Customs) seed pods, textiles, wooden totems, masks, and hunting tools such as bows and arrows and blow pipes. We even use rainforest sound effects - what more could you ask for?

Note: in this workshop although all the animals are seen close-up - only some are deemed suitable for child contact. This workshop takes at least 90 minutes set up and involves much carrying (we literally build a rainforest in your music room, hall, library or spare classroom with film-set plants, exotic rugs, masks, seeds and artefacts) – we charge the same for a half day booking – as a whole day booking. Note: we do not undertake these workshops in school halls as they are impossible to heat for much of the year. As we are tropical if our animals get cold – they become ill.

Cost for the day is £300 outside London, £320 inside the M25. All we need from you is a nice warm room and guaranteed parking. We do not park on the road. Car park or a corner of the playground. We arrive at 07:30 – and kick off at 09:30.