The Education Access Scheme is part of our pledge to support our local community by giving local schools and colleges increased access to our zoo and its learning opportunities. By working together, we hope to inspire and empower more children, young people and their families to care about wildlife and take action to protect it.
Your benefits as a member of the Education Access Scheme
A London Zoo representative
Your school has been provided with a contact details for London Zoo representatives from the Community & Learning team who can:
- Recommend places to visit in the zoo that fit in with your learning objectives
- Help you book your next zoo trip
- Recommend educational workshops
- Answer any questions you have related to the Education Access Scheme
If you do not know who your London Zoo representative is, please get in touch with [email protected].
Free self-guided trips to the zoo
As a member of the scheme, you are entitled to unlimited self-guided trips to the zoo.
Please note additional fees apply for educational workshops, and for adults that are surplus to the supervisory ratio.
Educational workshops
As an Education Access Scheme partner, you have access to a range of educational workshops. For more details and a list of available workshops, please see the Workshop Information pack.
What workshops do you offer?
Education Access Scheme schools have access to a range of workshops that are not available to standard schools. You can find a full list of workshops we offer in the workshop information pack above.
Which workshop is most suitable for my group?
If you’re unsure which workshop to book, please get in touch with your ZSL representative who can discuss your needs and advise you on the most suitable workshop.
Can I book a workshop from a different key stage?
Our workshops are National Curriculum-linked and tailored to meet the needs of each key stage. If you feel a different workshop would suit the ability level of your students better, please get in touch with your ZSL representative to discuss.
How much do workshops cost?
There is a fee of £36 per workshop booked.
How many students can be in a workshop?
There is a maximum capacity of 35 students per workshop, except for our Zoos & Conservation/Zoo Genetics and Breeding sessions, which have a maximum capacity of 60.
What days are workshops available?
Workshops are available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during term-time only, subject to availability.
What times are workshops available?
Workshops are available at 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30, subject to availability.
We occasionally offer afternoon workshops for schools who are coming on afternoon trips, although we cannot guarantee this. If this is something you’re interested in, please get in touch with your ZSL representative.
How do I book a workshop?
When you’re ready to book, contact your ZSL representative who can get you booked in.
I have an idea for a workshop you don’t currently offer.
We are open to ideas for co-creation of new opportunities. However, please note that these:
- Are not guaranteed
- May be subject to a fee
- May be offered only to certain schools who meet eligibility criteria when capacity is limited
Please get in touch with your ZSL representative who can discuss this with you further.
Host an INSET day at the zoo
Get your teachers fired up about using the Education Access Scheme by hosting an INSET day at the zoo!
To find out more and check availability, get in touch with your London Zoo representative.
Additional opportunities throughout the year
As part of our Education Access Scheme network, we will alert you when opportunities for local schools pop up. This could be trialling new activities we're developing, meeting ZSL scientists and conservationists who are looking for schools to engage with, or even donating leftover perfume for our lions to enjoy at Christmas!
We email all opportunities to the lead contact for the Education Access Scheme at your school. If you're a class teacher and you'd like to be notified directly when opportunities pop up, please get in touch with your London Zoo representative.
Terms & Conditions of the Education Access Scheme
Ready to book?
Book an Education Trip to London Zoo
Select "I am a member of the Education Access Scheme" on the booking form.