Professional learning for teachers and trainees
We work with both teacher training providers and schools to support educators at every stage of their careers, helping them confidently take learning beyond the classroom and into informal, nature‑rich environments.
Our training includes the use of current scientific research to explain the benefits of learning outside the classroom, workshops to support the integration of nature-based learning into your curricula and demonstrations of some of the techniques we use to make learning engaging and meaningful. We can also cover topics related to climate change, sustainability and biodiversity on your school site, upskilling teachers to tackle these tricky topics.
We offer both in person and online training with courses suitable for teachers at all stages of their career and in all subject areas.
For details of our online courses please click the button below:
Online teacher training courses
Our menu of in-person teacher professional learning
Our in person training can be delivered onsite at one of our conservation zoos, or at your own site on arrangement with one of our Learning Officers.
We have one compulsory training module, and then the rest of your day is able to be mix and matched to best support the your needs and requirements. Please have a look at the different modules on offer and feel free to create your own day by selecting the modules of interest to you, but we also have a few suggested plans that we have found best support teachers with differing levels of experience and example prices to support your planning. Costs are dependent on group size, location (ZSL Conservation Zoo or your chosen setting), and the length of your training day.
| Module Title | Description | Duration | Location | Audience |
| Nature Learning and ZSL (Compulsory module) |
| 1hr 15 mins | Classroom based - At the Zoo or your setting | Compulsory module - Suitable for all |
| Planning an Educational Visit |
| 1 hr 15 mins | Classroom based - At the Zoo or your setting | Suitable for all - Best suited to those new to teaching |
| Modelling Teaching at ZSL |
| 1 hr 15 mins | Classroom based - At the Zoo | Suitable for all - Tailored to Key Stage/subject area |
| Walk to a Talk |
| 1 hr | Outdoors - At the Zoo | Suitable for all |
| Nature Connectedness for Teachers (from September 2026) |
| 1 hr 15 mins | Outdoors - At the Zoo or your setting | Suitable for all (Tailored to Key Stage) |
| Teaching the Curriculum Outside (from September 2026) |
| 1 hr 15 mins | Outdoors - At the Zoo or your setting | Suitable for all from EYFS to KS4 - Tailored to Key Stage/subject area) |
| What is Climate change? (from January 2027) |
| 45 mins | Classroom based - At the Zoo or your setting | Suitable for all |
| Sustainability in Schools (from January 2027) |
| 45 mins | Classroom based - At the Zoo or your setting | Suitable for all |
| Climate Conversations with Young People (from January 2027) |
| 30 mins | Classroom based - At the Zoo or your setting | Suitable for all |
| Conservation Case Studies | Coming Soon | |||
| Learning Through Play | Coming Soon | |||
| Teaching Green Skills for the Future | Coming Soon |
Sample in-person teacher training days
Below are some examples of how the different options could be fit together with timings to form the ideal training day for the participants. Each contains possible timings and an example of the approximate cost for different numbers of teachers/trainees. Please note that final timings and costs will need to be agreed at point of booking.
This day focuses on how to plan a school trip for those new to the profession to build confidence . Rather than being focussed about a trip to Whipsnade or London zoo it focusses on the different support a museum/gallery/park might offer and how to make the most of this for your students.
| Time | Activity | Description |
| 9:30am | Nature Learning and ZSL (Compulsory module) |
|
| 10:45am | Tea break | |
| 11:00am | Modelling Teaching at ZSL |
|
| 12:15pm | Lunch | Not included unless specifically requested and will come at an additional cost. |
| 1:00pm | Walk to a Talk |
|
| 2:00pm | Planning an Educational Visit |
|
| 3:15pm | Final thoughts, questions and feedback | |
| 3:00pm | End of the taught part of the day | Participants may however explore the zoo until closing time if they wish. |
Example costs:
20 trainees - £555.00
40 trainees - £840.00
60 trainees - £1,125.00
80 trainees - £1,410.00
100 trainees - £1,695.00
This day focuses on why and how to move the classroom outdoors and tackle current issues facing these generations. Best for schools that are trying to enrich their curriculums and increase staff confidence speaking about climate issues.
| Time | Activity | Description |
| 9:30am | Nature Learning and ZSL (Compulsory module) |
|
| 10:45am | Tea break | |
| 11:00am | Nature Connectedness for Teachers (from September 2026) |
|
| 12:15pm | Lunch | Not included unless specifically requested and will come at an additional cost. |
| 1:00pm | Teaching the Curriculum Outside (from September 2026) |
|
| 2:15pm | What is Climate change? (from January 2027) |
|
| 3:00pm | Climate Conversations with Young People (from January 2027) |
|
| 3:30pm | End of the taught part of the day | Participants may however explore the zoo until closing time if they wish. |
Example costs:
5 teachers - £515.25
10 teachers - £586.50
15 teachers - £657.75
20 teachers - £729.00
40 teachers - £1,014.00
60 teachers - £1,299.00
If a setting is close to one of our conservation zoos with consultation we may travel to the school site to deliver CPD without you having to leave school.
This does limit some of the options that we are able to deliver however could be the perfect solution for your school.
| Time | Activity | Description |
| 1:00pm | Nature Learning and ZSL (Compulsory module) |
|
| 2:15pm | Teaching the Curriculum Outside (from September 2026) |
|
| 3:30pm | Sustainability in Schools (from January 2027) |
|
| 4:15pm | End of the afternoon |
Example costs:
5 teachers - £311.75
10 teachers - £383.00
15 teachers - £454.25
20 teachers - £525.50
40 teachers - £810.50
60 teachers - £1,095.50
Travel is charged at 55p per mile from your closest ZSL conservation zoo.
If you have any questions or queries about the training or would like to request a quote, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
For London or Whipsnade Zoo-specific information for teachers, please see our Teacher Hub pages:
