Lots of zoos and wildlife attractions offer school visits and workshops to help young people develop their understanding of the natural world. Here’s a selection and what you can see and do…
Chester Zoo
Welcoming over 130,000 school children annually, Chester Zoo offers learning experiences that connect students to nature with the aim of inspiring the next generation of conservationists.
Curriculum-linked workshops are designed to enrich subjects like English, science, geography and art and new for 2025 is Heart of Africa, a 22-acre immersive habitat where students can explore an African ecosystem where giraffes, ostriches, blesbok and zebras roam together. Chester Zoo can also be visited for a reward trip, with unique animal encounters, interactive experiences and vibrant outdoor spaces.
Visit these aquariums to learn about life below the ocean surface…
The Deep - Educational visits at the Hull-based aquarium include a workshop about topics including the impact of climate change on the oceans, reef habitats and coastal conservation and a self-led tour of the aquarium to explore the range of marine habitats and animals.
Bristol Aquarium - Dive into the ocean and discover the wonders of the deep at this aquarium in the heart of Bristol. Explore more than 40 themed displays and spot the thousands of aquatic creatures, including tropical sharks, rays, seahorses, puffer fish and piranhas.
West Midlands Safari Park
West Midlands Safari Park in Worcestershire offers curriculum-linked sessions which include hands-on animal encounters, guided safari drive tours, and immersive walking trails. Pupils can watch giraffe, rhino and lions from the coach and explore the safari walk to see penguins, lemurs and red pandas up close.
Suitable for all key stages, topics cover habitats, adaptations, conservation, and ecosystems and are led by the education team. Phobias workshops aimed at KS4 and above encourage pupils to face their fears and learn the psychology behind phobias, whilst children can meet smaller animals in creature features sessions.
Banham Zoo
In the heart of Norfolk, Banham Zoo offers educational experiences that bring classroom learning to life. Home to over 2,000 animals across 50 acres, the zoo provides an environment for students to explore biodiversity, conservation, and the natural world. Students are encouraged to engage with the exhibits, ask questions, and develop a deeper understanding of wildlife and environmental issues.
School visits can be enhanced with private teaching sessions led by the education team which focus on specific animals, conservation efforts and other curriculum areas. Discounted booking is available for school groups of 16 or more.
Colchester Zoological Society
With over 150 species to discover, from minibeasts to enormous elephants and towering giraffes, a visit to Colchester Zoological Society brings classroom topics to life and helps to support vital work protecting wildlife and habitats across the globe.
Schools can book free education sessions led by the education team, available for all Key Stages and linked to the National Curriculum. These cross-curricular experiences encourage thinking about wildlife and conservation, from interactive storytelling on sustainable farming for EYFS, to wildlife forensics.
Sessions looking at how zoos work, covering topics including STEM at the zoo, animal careers and visitor psychology are also available.
Wildwood
Nestled in 40 acres of woodland in the heart of Kent, Wildwood is home to over 200 fascinating species living in natural enclosures mirroring habitats in the wild. Bears, wolves, bison, elk, badgers, arctic foxes, wild boar, deer, lynx, wildcat, owls, storks and snakes are among the many animals that school groups can spot.
Structured learning sessions are also available in the indoor and outdoor learning spaces. Sessions are available for groups from EYFS to over 16s and cover areas including adaptation, lifecycles and food chains.
