Photograph: Helena Dolby
Schools
Suffolk Wildlife Trust has worked with schools and teachers across the county for over 40 years. We inspired children and young people to understand the natural world, and support educators to develop their eco-teaching.
We have three approaches to working with schools:
- Hosting school visits to our reserves, for primary schools, secondary schools, and further education
- Embedding nature into the school curriculum with our Wilder Schools programme, where we come to you to deliver longer-term environmental education and wildlife projects
- Training teachers and tutors to develop their nature knowledge and outdoor teaching skills
Primary school visits
Visit one of our nature reserves for a day of outdoor learning led by our Learning team. We have a range KS1, KS2, and EYFS sessions available that are designed to help pupils learn about Suffolk's wildlife with hands-on activities and opportunities to explore in nature. Choose one of the following nature reserves to arrange your visit:
Secondary school and further education visits
Visit one of our nature reserves for a day of environmental learning led by one of our Wilder Training team. We have a range of sessions available for KS3, KS4 and KS5 students that are designed to teach them about Suffolk's unique geography and biodiversity, supporting the curriculum, with hands-on activities and opportunities to explore in nature. KS4 and KS5 sessions support fieldwork elements of the curriculum.
KS3 sessions
Variation and classification
Carry out a scientific study to find out how microclimate conditions can cause plant variation within a habitat. Investigate why plants and animal populations show variation. Use a range of field techniques to collect and identify invertebrates and classify them into groups.
Geographical skills
Orienteer around the nature reserve using maps, compasses and directional instructions. Explore space and scale by creating a three dimensional habitat map for classmates to use.
Interactions and interdependencies
Relationships in an ecosystem including food webs, how organisms affect, and are affected by, their environment, including the accumulation of toxic materials
Wellbeing and nature connection
A day of cross-curricular outdoor experiences. Students will be challenged through problem solving, team tasks, poetry writing, natural art, scientific enquiry, forest bathing or adventure.
All sessions are available to be held at our Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale (Sudbury), Bradfield Woods (Bury St Edmunds), or Foxburrow (Woodbridge) nature reserves.
Get in touch to book:
KS4 & KS5 sessions
Compare and contrast habitats
Sampling and comparing two contrasting habitats using fieldwork skills and equipment to assess how an environmental factor or human influence affects vegetation or invertebrate populations and distribution.
Population estimation techniques
Estimate the population of woodlice in an area using a capture, mark, recapture method.
Habitats, biodiversity and sustainable management
Design and carry out scientific investigations in contrasting habitats (eg woodland, grassland or 2 different-aged coppice coupes) Use a range of ecological survey techniques and develop investigative and practical fieldwork skills through sampling and data collection for abiotic and biotic factors. Discuss the sustainable management of the reserve and issues affecting habitat management decisions.
All sessions are available to be held at our Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale (Sudbury), Bradfield Woods (Bury St Edmunds), or Foxburrow (Woodbridge) nature reserves.
Get in touch to book:
Wilder Schools
Our Wilder Schools programme is designed to integrate nature education and outdoor learning into the curriculum to empower children and young people to take action for nature and climate. We are working with a number of schools across Suffolk on longer-term projects to embed nature into their curriculum and to improve the school grounds for pupils and wildlife.
Training for teachers
Our Wilder Training programme offers a range of accredited courses designed for teachers and tutors to develop their skills in outdoor learning approaches, and their experience delivering environmental education. Courses include Forest School, Leader in Outdoor Learning, and Wild Beach.