WWT
FREE nature connection programme for schools
WWT have recently launched their Generation Wild programme which will connect 45,000 children and their families with nature. It includes FREE school visits (including FREE transport), FREE visits for families and a specially designed website to encourage continued nature-connection activity at school, at home and in local greenspaces.
Children and their families will find themselves transported by a magical narrative as they meet Ava, a part-bird, part-human creature in a giant nest. Can they help her to find her family, fulfil her destiny and unlock some of nature’s wildest secrets along the way?
The programme is now open to schools in disadvantaged areas, with places offered on a first-come-first-served basis. Eligibility criteria (based on % of pupils eligible for free school meals) vary across centres so please visit the Generation Wild website to find your nearest centre and see if your school qualifies.
Change the Story
Climate crisis learning resources for KS2
Change the Story offers KS2 resources and hands-on support for teaching about the climate crisis, citizenship and digital competence. The learning resources guide pupils to explore changes from the past and how they impact on the present. Then, to investigate change makers in the present and how they make change happen. Finally, pupils are guided to create their own stories for the future which address the climate crisis. We use stories as an effective way to understand and make sense of the world around us, and create compelling visions for the future.
The learning resources have been piloted with schools in the West Midlands, and now we are offering the opportunity for more schools to take part. As one pilot school teacher said:
“We had done climate change before, but this definitely angled it more positively … Much more about being change-makers, changing things, where do we want to be, how we will change things. It changed how I would approach it … this was not so much ‘we are pretending to be change-makers’, it was more real than that” (Year 6 Teacher)
And a Year 6 pupil:
“I most enjoyed planning and getting smarter! And getting the story ready and having visitors! I love stories!”
To support teachers and educators, we are offering free CPD on the 15th November (13:00-15:30) and on the 6th December (15:30-18:00). Training in digital story-making will be offered in 2022.
All the learning resources and teacher support materials can be accessed here – www.changethestory.eu/uk/. Please get in touch with us using the contact form to join us … and please feel free to share this information with others.
Circle of Life Rediscovery
Are offering some free webinars with Marina Robb on local nature play and outdoor learning on 24th November, and 19th January respectively.
They’ve also got lots in the calendar already for early next year; head over to their website to see the full range of Forest School Training, Nature based practice, behaviour, play, and first aid training that they offer.
