Topic outline

  • For Teachers

    Discovery and Learning Packages

    • Discover our new learning packages and mix and match virtual sessions, workshops, a zoo visit, and online resources to layer your learning up throughout the year. 

      You can use our FREE resources, which include interactive games, practical and written tasks and quizzes, before and after your sessions and visits to deepen and expand your class's experiences. There's an example timetable and top tips for using our Learning Package with your group here too!

  • Online Supporting Resources

    Every virtual and on-site tour and workshop has their own free tailor-made, interactive resources that you can use with your class before and after your sessions or visit to maximise your class’s learning and engagement.

    • Self Led Visit resources

      We understand that not all learning groups will have time to take one of our led sessions. We have created a variety of self led trails, quizzes and notes to support your time with us

      A flock of Chilean Flamingos Self led resources


        • FAQs

          Frequently Asked Questions about virtual sessions, resources and rucksacks...

          • Who is the Discovery and Learning Package for?

            Our virtual tours, workshops, self-led visits and supporting online resources have been developed to suit every age group and a variety of learning outcomes to align with the curriculum.

            Nursery, Primary and Secondary sessions are available for schools, home educators and other community groups. Each session will also be adapted to your group's needs! If you have any questions, please email us at education@rzss.org.uk

            What is involved in a virtual tour?

            You and your class will be transported into the zoo digitally! Using your screen or interactive whiteboard, you'll be able to see and learn all about the topic you've chosen as you explore the zoo live with your education officer.

            All you need is an internet connection and your preferred software to access the video call five minutes before your booked time! The tour will last 50 minutes and you will also have full access to our interactive resources before and after your session to develop and embed your learning through games and activities.

            You do not need a webcam or a microphone but if you do, it's always lovely to see and interact even more via them!

            Find out more about each tour

            What's involved in a virtual workshop?

            Virtual workshops involve different types of interactions to our virtual tours. You only need resources for the Native Species workshop and each workshop needs an internet connection and your preferred software to access the video call five minutes before your booked time!

            Running for between 20 to 30 minutes, the workshop will give your class an insight into the zoo and natural world and ways to act now for conservation.

            Find out more about each workshop

            How do we access the virtual tour or workshop?

            Once you've booked and arranged your date and time with the team, you'll receive two links via email. One is for a quick Tech Check to make sure you will be able to access the virtual session on the device you intend to use before the day of the tour and one is for the session.

            We can use a variety of platforms for virtual tours and workshops including Google Meet, Zoom or Skype for Business, so please let us know your preference in the booking form. If you're using something else, send us an invite once your session has been confirmed.

            How do we access the free supporting resources?

            You can access our resources through ZOOdle, our Zoo Digital Learning Environment. Explore ZOOdle here You can also submit questions and work for feedback if you create a free account.

            All of our resources will work on any device with an internet connection so why not set up your class playing the games and competing on iPads or set team projects as homework?

            How can I book our self-led visit?

            You can book your self-led visit for any day of the school year right up until July 2021 and our resources will be available throughout the year too so that you can build on your tour and/or workshop in the classroom and on-site!

            Your class and your allotted number of adults can then enter on your booked day any time after 10am and explore. You can also borrow a Teacher Rucksack for the day FOR FREE! The pack includes a tailor-made quiz to match your virtual tour if you've booked one and some exciting biofacts and objects to learn more about our animals and conservation. It will also include all the need-to-know teacher information including toilet stops, lunch spaces, information about our one-way system and a few handy tips.

            Why are there multiple options when I book?

            We've designed our package to give you lots of options to mix and match your sessions, workshops and visits over the year. This enables you to develop the best combination for your class to build their knowledge over the school year, while also supporting it with our interactive online resources to match each session.

            How much are the tours, workshops and self-led visits?

            Price List

            All of our online supporting resources to match your sessions are free!

            You can also sign up to our mailing list to hear our latest news, including any monthly sales or offers.

        • Professional Learning

          • Sustainable Development Goals


            What are the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals?

            The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) are 17 goals that were agreed to by world leaders in 2015. They present an opportunity to get our planet back on track by 2030 and form the core of learning initiatives and government policy, including Learning for Sustainability (Target 2030).


            How can I raise awareness of the Goals through RZSS' animal ambassadors?

            Our animal's stories can give learners a point of reference for a variety of Global Goals, including:

            •  Working in Partnership, 
            • Climate Action, 
            • Life on Land 
            • Life below Water
            • Clean Water and Sanitation
            • Industry, Infrastructure and Innovation


            By providing context, we can anchor the concept of Sustainable Development Goals in something real and relatable for our young people. Please explore some of our species below and how they relate to specific goals.


            How are we doing with the Sustainable Development Goals?

            As of 2023, there were approximately 15% of Goals on track. Lets focus on a few and what is happening:


            logo for SDG 13 - Climate actionThe are ongoing needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are starting to see a rise in extreme weather events and the target of averting a temperature increase of 1.5°C is not on track to be met. 

            By 2030 global emissions need to almost half. 

            A change in global landscapes has meant that many economies have either lessened or delayed net zero plans. The UN is clear that more ambition is needed. Young people are more keenly aware and vocal about the need for climate action and education.


            UN SDG 14: Life below water logoDue to the use of chemicals and greenhouse emissions we continue to see an increase in algal blooms, acidification of water, plastic pollution and ocean warming. This has led to a global decrease in fish numbers.

            Marine Protected Areas are growing in number and size, this means that illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing is being tackled. The High Seas treaty, signed by 100 member states in 2022 is a good example of this, vowing to protect 30% of the worlds oceans by 2030.

            Citizen Science, the collection of information by the public, is informing global action around plastic pollution. 


            UN SDG 15 - Life on Land logoThere is global awareness of the importance protecting life on land, and it is shown that life on land contributes to half of the worlds GPD (Gross Domestic Product).

            Extinction of species is still a concern with 28% of all assessed species at risk, without our help.

            There has been progress in forest management and there has been an improvement in protection for forests across North America, Asia and Australia although there continues to be a general decline across developing nations. 







            Where can I find out more?

            You can visit the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals portal here