On 14 Feb 2023, at 17:08, Andrew.Norton via groups.io <andrew.norton@...> wrote:



 

Thanks Sheridan – I think the ubiquitous “health & safety” can come to help us here if necessary … there is expensive and potentially hazardous equipment in the observatory which is not suitable for use by young children.

 

Andrew.

 

From: ouastro@groups.io <ouastro@groups.io> On Behalf Of Sheridan Williams via groups.io
Sent: 14 February 2023 17:04
Subject: [ouastro] Observatory visits

 

CAUTION: This mail comes from outside the University. Please consider this before opening attachments, clicking links, or acting on the content.

At the last meeting we discussed a lower age limit for visitors to the observatory. The consensus seemed to be a minimum age of 9 years old.

I wonder whether this was because they were a group of 'home educators'.

I have encountered home educated groups a few times at the Computer Museum and must agree that home educated kids do not mingle with their peers in the same way as schooled children do, and as such do not know how to behave when in a group. I noticed this in the observatory with some quite headstrong and pushy children whose parents seemed unwilling to control them.

If others agree I could respond differently to home educated groups and still allow 7 years an upwards for other groups.

If not, I have a problem because many of the groups contain under-9s and some of them are asking for a repeat visit.

If we are to stick to this decision I need to generate a reply to any enquiry, so please help me with the following wording:

We are sorry but we are unable to host visits to those under the age of 9. This decision has been made because.....

Please suggest an appropriate wording for the above sentence.

--

Best wishes

Sheridan
Email: sheridan@...

 

On Feb 14, 2023, at 18:55, Peter Hudson via groups.io <peterv.hudson@...> wrote:



CAUTION: This mail comes from outside the University. Please consider this before opening attachments, clicking links, or acting on the content.

Hi All.

Below is the wording used by Bedford School for visits to the Observatory and Planetarium. See the Bedford School website link to the Observatory.

" We suggest nine years is the minimum age for children in a mixed group. Parents must remember that a Planetarium show takes place in complete darkness, which some young children may find difficult to cope with and this can be distracting for other members of the group. "

The key message is that children must be supervised at all times by parents/guardians/group leaders and as such they are responsible for the good conduct of children in their charge..

Does the OU have a policy for visitors?

Do other Astronomical Clubs/Societies have a policy re visits to their events? Might be worth a search on websites.

I think we recently joined the FAS and they may have "standard" guidance for Clubs/Societies.

Cheers.

Peter.

------ Original Message ------

From: "Alison Symmers" <asymmers@...>

To: ouastro@groups.io

Sent: 14/02/2023 17:13:51

Subject: Re: [ouastro] Observatory visits

Might be worth including something along the lines of “adults accompanying groups of children are expected to ensure that observatory rules are adhered to.  Any child not respecting the rules within the dome will be required to leave.” 

Alison 

On 14 Feb 2023, at 17:08, Andrew.Norton via groups.io <andrew.norton@...> wrote:



 

Thanks Sheridan – I think the ubiquitous “health & safety” can come to help us here if necessary … there is expensive and potentially hazardous equipment in the observatory which is not suitable for use by young children.

 

Andrew.

 

From: ouastro@groups.io <ouastro@groups.io> On Behalf Of Sheridan Williams via groups.io
Sent: 14 February 2023 17:04
Subject: [ouastro] Observatory visits

 

CAUTION: This mail comes from outside the University. Please consider this before opening attachments, clicking links, or acting on the content.

At the last meeting we discussed a lower age limit for visitors to the observatory. The consensus seemed to be a minimum age of 9 years old.

I wonder whether this was because they were a group of 'home educators'.

I have encountered home educated groups a few times at the Computer Museum and must agree that home educated kids do not mingle with their peers in the same way as schooled children do, and as such do not know how to behave when in a group. I noticed this in the observatory with some quite headstrong and pushy children whose parents seemed unwilling to control them.

If others agree I could respond differently to home educated groups and still allow 7 years an upwards for other groups.

If not, I have a problem because many of the groups contain under-9s and some of them are asking for a repeat visit.

If we are to stick to this decision I need to generate a reply to any enquiry, so please help me with the following wording:

We are sorry but we are unable to host visits to those under the age of 9. This decision has been made because.....

Please suggest an appropriate wording for the above sentence.

--

Best wishes

Sheridan
Email: sheridan@...

 

The risk assessment is pinned up in the observatory (and attached here) … it outlines the behaviour expected of any visitors …

On Feb 14, 2023, at 18:55, Peter Hudson via groups.io <peterv.hudson@...> wrote:



CAUTION: This mail comes from outside the University. Please consider this before opening attachments, clicking links, or acting on the content.

Hi All.

Below is the wording used by Bedford School for visits to the Observatory and Planetarium. See the Bedford School website link to the Observatory.

" We suggest nine years is the minimum age for children in a mixed group. Parents must remember that a Planetarium show takes place in complete darkness, which some young children may find difficult to cope with and this can be distracting for other members of the group. "

The key message is that children must be supervised at all times by parents/guardians/group leaders and as such they are responsible for the good conduct of children in their charge..

Does the OU have a policy for visitors?

Do other Astronomical Clubs/Societies have a policy re visits to their events? Might be worth a search on websites.

I think we recently joined the FAS and they may have "standard" guidance for Clubs/Societies.

Cheers.

Peter.

------ Original Message ------

From: "Alison Symmers" <asymmers@...>

To: ouastro@groups.io

Sent: 14/02/2023 17:13:51

Subject: Re: [ouastro] Observatory visits

Might be worth including something along the lines of “adults accompanying groups of children are expected to ensure that observatory rules are adhered to.  Any child not respecting the rules within the dome will be required to leave.” 

Alison 

On 14 Feb 2023, at 17:08, Andrew.Norton via groups.io <andrew.norton@...> wrote:



 

Thanks Sheridan – I think the ubiquitous “health & safety” can come to help us here if necessary … there is expensive and potentially hazardous equipment in the observatory which is not suitable for use by young children.

 

Andrew.

 

From: ouastro@groups.io <ouastro@groups.io> On Behalf Of Sheridan Williams via groups.io
Sent: 14 February 2023 17:04
Subject: [ouastro] Observatory visits

 

CAUTION: This mail comes from outside the University. Please consider this before opening attachments, clicking links, or acting on the content.

At the last meeting we discussed a lower age limit for visitors to the observatory. The consensus seemed to be a minimum age of 9 years old.

I wonder whether this was because they were a group of 'home educators'.

I have encountered home educated groups a few times at the Computer Museum and must agree that home educated kids do not mingle with their peers in the same way as schooled children do, and as such do not know how to behave when in a group. I noticed this in the observatory with some quite headstrong and pushy children whose parents seemed unwilling to control them.

If others agree I could respond differently to home educated groups and still allow 7 years an upwards for other groups.

If not, I have a problem because many of the groups contain under-9s and some of them are asking for a repeat visit.

If we are to stick to this decision I need to generate a reply to any enquiry, so please help me with the following wording:

We are sorry but we are unable to host visits to those under the age of 9. This decision has been made because.....

Please suggest an appropriate wording for the above sentence.

--

Best wishes

Sheridan
Email: sheridan@...

 

The risk assessment is pinned up in the observatory (and attached here) … it outlines the behaviour expected of any visitors …

On Feb 14, 2023, at 18:55, Peter Hudson via groups.io <peterv.hudson@...> wrote:



CAUTION: This mail comes from outside the University. Please consider this before opening attachments, clicking links, or acting on the content.

Hi All.

Below is the wording used by Bedford School for visits to the Observatory and Planetarium. See the Bedford School website link to the Observatory.

" We suggest nine years is the minimum age for children in a mixed group. Parents must remember that a Planetarium show takes place in complete darkness, which some young children may find difficult to cope with and this can be distracting for other members of the group. "

The key message is that children must be supervised at all times by parents/guardians/group leaders and as such they are responsible for the good conduct of children in their charge..

Does the OU have a policy for visitors?

Do other Astronomical Clubs/Societies have a policy re visits to their events? Might be worth a search on websites.

I think we recently joined the FAS and they may have "standard" guidance for Clubs/Societies.

Cheers.

Peter.

------ Original Message ------

From: "Alison Symmers" <asymmers@...>

To: ouastro@groups.io

Sent: 14/02/2023 17:13:51

Subject: Re: [ouastro] Observatory visits

Might be worth including something along the lines of “adults accompanying groups of children are expected to ensure that observatory rules are adhered to.  Any child not respecting the rules within the dome will be required to leave.” 

Alison 

On 14 Feb 2023, at 17:08, Andrew.Norton via groups.io <andrew.norton@...> wrote:



 

Thanks Sheridan – I think the ubiquitous “health & safety” can come to help us here if necessary … there is expensive and potentially hazardous equipment in the observatory which is not suitable for use by young children.

 

Andrew.

 

From: ouastro@groups.io <ouastro@groups.io> On Behalf Of Sheridan Williams via groups.io
Sent: 14 February 2023 17:04
Subject: [ouastro] Observatory visits

 

CAUTION: This mail comes from outside the University. Please consider this before opening attachments, clicking links, or acting on the content.

At the last meeting we discussed a lower age limit for visitors to the observatory. The consensus seemed to be a minimum age of 9 years old.

I wonder whether this was because they were a group of 'home educators'.

I have encountered home educated groups a few times at the Computer Museum and must agree that home educated kids do not mingle with their peers in the same way as schooled children do, and as such do not know how to behave when in a group. I noticed this in the observatory with some quite headstrong and pushy children whose parents seemed unwilling to control them.

If others agree I could respond differently to home educated groups and still allow 7 years an upwards for other groups.

If not, I have a problem because many of the groups contain under-9s and some of them are asking for a repeat visit.

If we are to stick to this decision I need to generate a reply to any enquiry, so please help me with the following wording:

We are sorry but we are unable to host visits to those under the age of 9. This decision has been made because.....

Please suggest an appropriate wording for the above sentence.

--

Best wishes

Sheridan
Email: sheridan@...