London Zoo welcomes back pupils after 200 years

Pupils from St Marylebone School visited London Zoo in September to mark ZSL’s bicentenary.

The visit was part of ZSL’s Education Access Scheme, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. The scheme helps to support the local community by giving schools and students who may otherwise face barriers accessing educational experiences increased access to its conservations zoos, with an aim of inspiring students to be advocates for nature and wildlife in the future.

St Marylebone was the first school recorded to visit London Zoo on 20th September 1830. This September, the pupils began their trip with a visit to ZSL’s Prince Philip’s Library and Archive to see the original ‘Daily Occurrences’ record, which has documented every morning at the zoo since 1828. From the movement of wildlife in enclosures to visitor numbers, the record shows how London Zoo has changed over 200 years.

Students then took part in various learning sessions at the zoo, investigating animal behaviour with the Conservation Education team. 

What is the Zoological Society of London (ZSL)?

Founded in 1826, ZSL is a global conservation organisation dedicated to helping people and wildlife thrive together. Its two conservation zoos, London and Whipsnade, provide various learning opportunities for pupils.

In 1828, ZSL opened the world’s first scientific zoo in Regent’s Park, changing how scientists studied animals and wildlife. Today, ZSL supports around 70 students each year through master’s and PhD programmes at its Institute of Zoology.

School trips to London Zoo

London Zoo houses more than 10,000 animals from more than 750 species and there are opportunities to learn about life cycles, habitats, adaptation, conservation, climate change, genetics, animal intelligence, and behaviour.

Self-led visits can be enhanced with curriculum based workshops, guided tours and overnight experiences for students in KS2 and above. For groups exceeding 100 students, London Zoo recommends visiting in autumn, spring or early summer to get the most out of a visit.