Educational River Thames Boat Trips
Educational River Thames Trips for SEND Children
Trips on Rivertime for SEND School Children are 100% Grant Funded
Organisations can book more than one trip and all trips are subject to availability
Trips are designed to be for educational purposes and the Rivertime Boat Trust is Council For Learning Outside the Classroom Accredited.
Learning Aboard Rivertime
The unique experience of using a purpose built boat enables us to be fully inclusive of all physical and learning disabilities. We stimulate learning by using the boat and the river environment as an out-of-school classroom. Combined with this we offer educational materials on the boat to facilitate teaching and learning.
These teaching aids have been produced specifically for ‘Rivertime’ trips by special needs teachers and programmes involve a mixture of observation, communication, sequencing, fine and gross motor skills, sensory and coordination skills, experiments, object handling and creative activities.
Health And Safety
The specially designed boat (a floating classroom) is fitted with high-quality facilities and appropriate risk assessments are in place. All training and equipment is suitable for the relevant age group
All necessary health and safety policies and procedures, insurance requirements and risk assessments are in place and are regularly reviewed.
Children and staff are encouraged to bring a picnic and must provide their own food and drinks.
All staff and volunteers undergo DBS checks and have the relevant qualifications and training. Crew members undergo a safeguarding course and all staff on board are familiar with our safeguarding policy.
‘All Aboard’ Joint Educational Programme
Rivertime has partnered with the educational department at the River & Rowing Museum in Henley to offer more in depth educational program to learn about the environment and rivers.
Attendance involves a fun morning session in the interactive River and Rowing Museum classroom, where children are invited to learn though practical interactive work stations. Teaching is tailored to the ability of each group.
Availability is currently limited.
Children and teachers continue their learning on the river on ‘Rivertime’ with time for self provided lunch aboard.
Operating Times
We operate Monday – Friday throughout April – October
Standard Cruises last for 2 hours (weekend and 3 & 4 hour trips can be booked by special request).
Cruising times: (boarding 15 minutes before departure time)
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Easy Access and Booking
For over 16 years, the award-winning Rivertime Boat Trust has provided valuable and enjoyable trips for thousands of SEND children from schools and organisations and their teachers, guardians and carers.
Boarding Rivertime is made possible and easy with our hydraulic lift suitable for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility.
Our purpose-built boat operates on the River Thames on the beautiful stretches at Henley-on-Thames from April to October.
Easy parking is close to the embarkation point. Organisations must provide their own transport, food and drinks.
Features Onboard Rivertime
- Hydraulic wheelchair lift – fully accessible for all passengers
- Accessible toilet area
- Large open saloon with sliding roof for sunny days
- Picnic table – children are invited to bring own picnics (or snacks and drinks – (Rivertime is unable to provide)
- Central heating
- Up to 12 passengers including teachers or carers
- Buoyancy aids or life jackets for all participants
- Fully qualified and trained skippers and crew (first aid trained/safeguarding/DBS checked)
Booking Cruises on Rivertime
We’ve made booking trips on Rivertime simple!
Teachers can contact our booking team to make an enquiry or to find out about availability.
When completing a booking, the boat is reserved on our system and an email confirmation will be sent immediately, confirming the details and supplying important onboarding information.
In addition, Rivertime is required to gather information before the trips on group numbers, wheelchair users and we ask for any other information to help us prepare for visits.
We also ask for a media form to be filled out with permissions.
Both of these forms will be sent digitally and can be shared with colleagues.
Finally, after the trip, under our Terms for Grant Funded school visits, it is a requirement that we receive feedback from a teacher.
Getting to Us and Parking at Henley on Thames
The Rivertime Boat operates mostly from the River and Rowing Museum jetty in Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1BF.
Ample parking (paid for) is is available in the River and Rowing Museum car park or in the bays on Meadow Road suitable for mini buses and cars.
Blue badge holders park for free in disabled bays on Meadow Road.
Access to the boat is easy and only a short distance from the parking along a concrete pathway.
Getting to Us and Parking at Bisham Abbey - July 1-12 Only
From June 30-July 12 only, Rivertime is operating from The National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey, Marlow SL6 1RR.
Wheelchair access is not possible here.
There is ample free parking on site for mini buses and cars.
Make an Enquiry For Your Students Today!
Arrange to speak to one of experienced team members to discuss how we can arrange your cruise on the river