Education Resources
These resources are currently in development. If you have any comments or suggestions about the contents of this page, please email: feedback@hwt.org.uk or call 01489 774400. We would appreciate any feedback.
A booklet which summarises all the resources available and how they link with the National Curriculum can be downloaded here.
How to get there Education Resources
Why study the Itchen Navigation?
Accessibility - It is one of only a few rivers accessible to the public in the county. A footpath runs the whole 17km length of the Navigation.
Wildlife - It is one of the best chalk rivers for wildlife in Europe! It is home to otter, water vole, kingfisher, Atlantic salmon, eel, dragonflies and lots more.
Cross-curriculum study - The Navigation provides the opportunity to study several parts of the National Curriculum, in the subjects of geography, history and science.
How to get there
Here are some maps to help you find the Itchen Navigation near your school:
Palmer Field, Winchester (SO23 9NN)
Shawford/Twyford (SO21 2BP)
Ham Lane, Allbrook (SO50 4LF)
Bishopstoke (SO50 6LA)
Riverside Park, Southampton (SO18 2JR)
Education Resources
The following resources have been designed with Key Stage 2 teaching in mind:
Maps of River Itchen and water abstraction 2MB
The River Itchen supplies drinking water to half a million people locally. Find out where your water supply comes from using these maps as teaching aids.
Poster: Timeline of the history of the Itchen Navigation 1600s - present
Classroom display including facts and images about the history of the Itchen Navigation.
Role play with historical characters plus follow up discussion on water resources
A 3 part role play about people who lived by the Itchen Navigation 200 years ago, plus notes for a follow up classroom discussion on water resources.
Then and now images of Itchen Navigation (how life has changed since Victorian times) 5MB
Historical images of locations on the Itchen Navigation showing old mills, locks and landscapes with comparisons of how these locations look today.
Match the animal to its home
Classroom activity matching up animals to their homes near the river.
Maps showing change in transport network in the Itchen Valley since Victorian times
Discuss how transport has changed your local landscape using this maps as teaching aids.
Teaching about water 4MB
Information, guidance, illustrations and activities for teaching about water at school and on a field trip.
Adaptations of river creatures
Questions and facts for teachers to lead class discussions focusing on the adaptations of freshwater creatures found in the Itchen. Information on otters, fish and dragonflies included.
Itchen Wildlife GuideTick off animals and plants as you spot them on your visit to the Itchen Navigation with this handy wildlife guide.
The Wildlife SortThis exercise is the first step towards using a simple key. Pile the images into different groups according to the instructions and see what you can find out about types of plants and animals.
This is a more advanced key exercise. Use the animal images included in the simple key above and follow the flow chart of questions to identify the creature.
Wildlife Film: Summer secrets of the Itchen Navigation
A wonderful 10 minute film focusing on the wildlife in the Itchen Navigation, featuring kingfisher, grey wagtail, damselflies, water voles and mayflies. Filmed by Matthew Hamilton. To request a copy of the film on CD, contact Polly Whyte on 01489 774400.
Aerial photographs of parts of the Itchen Navigation (file size 3MB each)
Palmer Field, Winchester (SO23 9NN)
Shawford/Twyford (SO21 2BP)
Ham Lane, Allbrook (SO50 4LF)
Bishopstoke (SO50 6LA)
Riverside Park, Southampton (SO18 2JR)
