Key Stage Five

Learning at Twycross Zoo is unique. Students are connected to animals and the natural world in a truly unique way.

Our education sessions are specially designed to inspire your learners about the natural world around them. Students can either have single 45 minute sessions, or a workshop which involves a session in the morning followed by a feedback session later in the day. Learners are guided by our experienced and award winning education officers.

Please call or email if you would like advice on the most suitable session for your learners: 01827 883 140 or email bookings@twycrosszoo.org

Interpretation in a Zoo: Communicating Science

This workshop is an introduction to interpretation. We will explore the different approaches to public engagement and what good interpretation should include to engage an informal audience. The students will also have some tasks given to them: In the zoo, they will identify how we deliver information to visitors and in the classroom they will design their own piece of interpretation.

Animal Behaviour Workshop

This workshop covers an introduction to animal behaviour including innate and learned behaviour, social behaviour and reproductive behaviour and communication.. We provide examples from the zoo and the students will be asked to conduct a behaviour study between the two parts of the workshop.

Biodiversity and Conservation Workshop

We will discuss the importance of biodiversity and the threats that animals are currently facing in the wild. There will be examples of in-situ conservation projects that Twycross Zoo supports and discuss our role in ex-situ conservation through breeding programmes. A task will be set focussing on endangered species in the zoo and possible conservation actions that could be taken in the future.

Evolution and Selection (1 hour session)

Students will learn about different types of selection. We look at the evidence for natural selection, different ways characteristics can evolve and how speciation can occur. We will also consider the importance of sexual selection working alongside natural selection.

Animal Welfare Workshop

This workshop considers the role of a modern zoo and the reasons we need to provide high standards of welfare. We discuss how to provide high quality care for our animals through, enrichment, training, enclosure design and general zoo safety. The students will be set a task between the two parts of the workshop to look at enclosures around the zoo.

Business, Marketing and Customer Service

In this workshop we cover the role of a modern zoo, who our visitors are and what they want from a trip to the zoo. We also consider the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the business and how we market it effectively. Finally, we discuss the importance of good customer service, and how we ensure we provide this. The students will be set a task between the two parts of the workshop to do a SWOT analysis, present a business case and think about how to market their idea.

Primary Education at Twycross Zoo

This two-hour workshop includes a range of practical activities to help trainee teachers with planning a school trip. We cover the importance of learning outside the classroom and how we educate and engage young minds at Twycross Zoo through curriculum linked education sessions. After an independent self-lead exercise, we reconvene to discuss how teachers can use the zoo to support their teaching, and things to consider before, during and after a trip.

Secondary Education at Twycross Zoo

This two-hour workshop includes a range of practical activities to help trainee teachers with planning a school trip. We cover the importance of learning outside the classroom and how we educate and engage young minds at Twycross Zoo through curriculum-linked education sessions. After an independent self-lead exercise, we reconvene to discuss how teachers can use the zoo to support their teaching and things to consider before, during and after a trip. Recommended for science/geography trainee teachers.

Workshop and Education Officer Feedback:

• “All the teachers and all of the children were captivated by Asim. He was unflappable when bombarded with questions. His passion and knowledge were outstanding.”
• “I cannot believe the amount of information my class had taken on board and, more importantly, understood.”
• “The teaching staff today were excellent, very enthusiastic!”
• “Session was very interactive and relevant to their unit at school”
• “All the children were focused and engaged for the whole session”
• “A must for any teacher wanting their zoo trip to have a real education focus”