Welcome to Sealife Adventure Aquarium

The following pack is for teachers and group leaders to use before, after and during their visit. Any part may be reproduced to ensure all visiting adult helpers have read and understood all information provided.

Introduction

Sealife Adventure Aquarium is situated in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. It has a stunning array of marine life housed in over 40 displays. From shore crabs to black-tipped reef sharks there is something for everyone.

Marine life includes sharks, rays, eels, tropical and native fish lobsters and crocodiles just to name a few. The is also a ‘Hands-on’ Rockpool encounter where guests will have the opportunity to get close and personal with our starfish and crabs. Upon booking an educational or group booking we will provide a personal, private Rockpool encounter for no additional cost.

Our educational visits expand the boundaries of the classroom to experience the marine world close up. Education and entertainment go hand in hand with our ‘close encounter’ talks and feeds. With our curriculum based education packs, you will find plenty of follow-up class and homework projects.

With our pre-school, Infant, Primary and junior school bookings we do not charge you for the teachers and supervisory adults that accompany the children (this does not apply to our standard Group Bookings). We are aware that children sometimes work more productively in smaller groups with an adult. We want your entire group to get the most out of the visit as possible, therefore you are entitled to as many adults you feel necessary. (As long as the number of adults does not exceed that of the children*). For senior schools two teachers are free per 15 students.

*expected competent adult: child supervision ratios as suggested by the Department of Education

Foundation/Early years: 1:3

School Years 1-3: 1:6

School Years 4-6: 1:10

School years 7 onwards: 1:15

Before your visit

In order to get the best from your visit, please ensure each supervising adult attending Sealife Adventure has read and understood this information pack and risk assessment.

We make every effort to ensure the Health and Safety of all our visitors and we hope this specially designed risk assessment pack will help make your visit as stress-free as possible. However, if we do not answer any specific concerns in this pack you are welcome to visit us free of charge prior to your booking to conduct a preliminary site visit, including one free entry into the aquatic displays. We will do our utmost to assist you in any way we can.

Things to look out for

• Presentation/talk areas

• Toilets

• Eating area

• First aid post

• Signs – Health and safety, warning and species information

• Hand washing facilities inc. Basins and alcohol gel dispensers

The aquarium takes about an hour to walk around, but with your private ‘Hands-on’ Rockpool encounter and the many other talks and feeds throughout the day, plus the interactive stations and play mat the amount of time you stay is up to you. Many schools visit us in the morning, take advantage of the neighbouring beach for activities and visit us again before the coach picks them up. The enclosed school pack has activities to be carried out during your visit, so we suggest leaving enough time to enjoy the attraction itself.

Educational and group bookings must be paid in full 10 days before the date of your visit. Please be aware that we do not issue refunds for any children that are unable to come on the visit. We will however ensure that any absent children receive their entry ticket so that they can visit at a later date, any extras can be paid for on the day.

We recommend that packed lunches are brought in carrier bags and disposed of after lunch.

To remove the added stress of supervising a class of children through the gift shop, we offer a readymade gift bag service. Prices start at £1.00 per child (depending on availability) we can provide you with ready bagged gifts. You can either choose the contents during your pre-visit, over the phone or on the day. All gift bags will include a Sealife Adventure Aquarium guide.

On the day

Upon arrival the teacher/group leader in charge of the trip will check in at the customer services desk. Any extra children will be paid for. Once checked in a member of staff will give everyone a wristband to allow you all day access to the aquarium.

We will also sort out a time slot for your ‘hands-on’ Rockpool encounter. Please explain to all supervising adults the importance of arriving on time for these talks. During our busy summer periods, our aquarists are working to a tight timescale and waiting for groups to turn up will result in cutting the encounter short to prevent annoyance or disappointment to another group’s time.

Please ensure all supervising adults have read and understood the risk assessment and supervise their children at all times. Make sure all adults are aware of the locations of the Rockpool area, toilets and first aid point.

Please note that Sealife Adventure can get very busy during the summer, leading to some areas becoming crowded.

SeaLife Adventure Schools Risk Assessment Policy