Topic outline
- RZSS Wild Learning
- Welcome to RZSS Wild Learning!
Welcome to RZSS Wild Learning!
Connect your child with nature to build resilience, emotional intelligence and outdoor skills at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo!
Based in our wildlife garden and around the zoo, your child can work with our experienced outdoor learning team, all trained teachers and including Forest School trained staff, to develop confidence and self-esteem in the outdoors.
Specially designed for primary-aged children flexi-schooling or in full time home education, each block is based around City of Edinburgh Council school term dates. Each session will be informed by Forest School principles and will be child-led, and broadly based around a nature theme, with tool use, crafts, games, STEM activities, adventures and lots of outdoor free play. Zoo entry and all materials are included.
- Timings & Cost
Timings & Cost
Open to all primary-aged learners, the programme will run each Thursday for £6.67 per hour.
Weekly times: Thursdays 9.30am - 12.30pm
Booking
RZSS Wild Learning is a popular programme and we run a waiting list. Please be aware that this list is well subscribed and there may be a long delay before a place becomes available. Please contact us at education@rzss.org.uk, with RZSS Wild Learning in the subject header, to gain a place on the waiting list.
- Settling in
Settling in
Your child's wellbeing is extremely important to us. In order to meet the needs of every learner in our care, on making your booking you will receive a link to complete a health and emergency details form.
You will receive a link to our RZSS Wild Learning handbook, containing all of our policies and procedures.
If you are new to RZSS Wild Learning, you will also be invited to a 10 minute online meeting to discuss the specific needs of your child to give everyone a secure, nurturing start to the programme.
- FAQs
FAQs
Parents/carers are requested to bring learners to meet the RZSS Wild Learning team at the Members Gate at the top of the Edinburgh Zoo car park at 9.30am, and collect from the same location at 12.30pm.
No. We request that learners are provided with a mid-morning snack. Lunch will not be provided. Learners should also bring a reusable water bottle, clearly labelled, that can be refilled throughout the day. Occasionally, campfire treats such as popcorn, hot drinks and marshmallows may be offered to learners, in line with any health and wellbeing information provided by parents/carers in the Health and Emergency forms.
Our sessions will run in all weathers (with the exception of very extreme weather), and conditions can be changeable throughout the day, so we ask that all participants come prepared for the outdoors with:
- Full length trousers and long-sleeved tops
- Sensible footwear eg. walking boots, wellies
- A waterproof layer eg. raincoat and waterproof trousers, snow suit
- Long hair tied back or a hair tie that participant can use without assistance
- Warm layers, thick socks, hats and gloves on cold days
- Light layers, sun hat and sun cream on warm days
With Forest School trained staff and a strong Forest School ethos, the Forest School approach is at the heart of what we do. However, we recognise that in Edinburgh Zoo we have a unique resource that we aim to use to support wild learning and a love of nature wherever we can, so we may occasionally interpret the Forest School principles more flexibly to allow this.
We are working towards recognised provider status with the Forest School Association. Their website provides a wealth of information about the Forest School approach.
Yes. We are very proud of our world famous zoo, and look forward to visiting a wide range of the species on site in the course of our sessions.