Primary Schools

It’s never too early for children to learn about our planet and the animals and plants we share it with.

We have a great range of programmes at Key Stage 1 and 2.

During sessions, links will be made to Chester Zoo's extensive animal collection and conservation work overseas. Selected enclosures, bio-artefacts and live animals may be used to illustrate key points.  

Please note that in line with the BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) ‘Guidelines on Animal Handling’, there will be no animal handling for any classes containing Reception age children (children under the age of 5).  Education staff will continue to use animals in these sessions, but purely on an observational basis.

Our Discovery Programmes are 50 minutes long and run at 4 time slots on each week day during term time (10.30; 11.30; 1.00; 2.00).  We have three classrooms and take up to 20 pupils in each.  Click here for our prices.

If you prefer not to have a Discovery Programme, you might be interested in our Explorer Programmes.  These are trails and activities which our Discovery and Learning team has put together for you to enjoy doing with your class in the Zoo. 

What some of our visitors said about our KS1 and KS2 Discovery Programmes:

'All children were absorbed and stimulated throughout'
'Content reinforced learning taking place in school. Use of lovely resources delighted the children'
'Superb! Kept all the class interested and motivated'
'It covered all the main aspects we had talked about in class but you had fantastic resources too' 

KS1 Discovery Programmes

KS1 Explorer Programmes

KS2 Discovery Programmes

KS2 Explorer Programmes

 

Click here for information on animal handling