Our FREE Wilder Schools programme is open for primary and secondary schools looking to bring outdoor learning to life with the support of our wonderful education team.

Packed full of hands-on opportunities and free resources, the programme helps schools enhance their grounds for wildlife, develop students’ practical skills, and build nature-based knowledge through tailored scientific learning.

Spaces are limited, and sign-ups close in May - so encourage your school to apply soon! For more information, visit the Wilder Schools webpage.

Hear from Harriet, Team Wilder Engagement Officer, in this video:

In the following article, Surrey Wildlife Trust writer Simon Prichard finds out how outdoor learning is changing schools for good, with a day spent at a Wilder School session.

Top of the class

It's 10am on a damp January Monday and Year 4 is ready for a wild adventure. 30 of Downsend School's finest are gathered around a screen at the front of the classroom, watching a home video of a domestic bird table and eagerly volunteering the names of its visitors: "Robin!" "Blue Tit!" "Pigeon!" "PARAKEET!!"

Overseeing the ID parade are Louise Shorthose and Kirsty Porter from SWT's Wilder Schools team, who have been working with Downsend since October 2024. This is the latest of their monthly encounters with the children, which have included assemblies, minibeast hunts and a visit to our educational nature reserve at Nower Wood.

Budding ecologists

Louise and Kirsty tell the group that today they are going to be citizen scientists.  The children listen intently as Louise and Kirsty outline today's experiment. Each group of four will be given a small, lidded bottle of warm water, representing a mouse. They must choose a location and suitable materials to make a shelter. And because this is proper science, the water temperature will be recorded at the beginning and end, and there will be a control sample, left exposed to the chilly air.

As the children scurry away to build their nests, Marian explains how this kind of hands-on learning of maths, physics and other subjects helps them remember: "It sticks because it's meaningful - and the experience opens their eyes."

With the wind biting, the children retrieve their "mice" to find out who has built the cosiest nest. Their temperatures have dropped from 40°C to between 14 and 19°C – but this is warmer than the control sample, which stands at a mere 7°C.  All agree that we should therefore leave leaf piles and areas of moss in our gardens for animals and birds to use in winter.

Learning to twitch

Now it’s time for birdwatching. The children practise using binoculars by identifying the laminated photos Louise and Kirsty have hung from a line of bushes, then move on to the real thing. They learn the RSPB technique of counting how many of each species they see at the same time, to avoid over-estimating. And every so often they do a Puffin dance, which Louise has perfected over many years, to keep warm. Finally the pupils are rewarded with the sight of splendid pair of Red Kites.

Teacher Talk

Sam Gritton

Teacher, Duke of Kent School, Ewhurst

"We weren't making the most of the wildlife on our site, so I contacted SWT for advice and it just snowballed. Now we're in the second year of the programme and nature has really grabbed the school's attention.

"It's fantastic for the children because it's made them so engaged with the outdoors and has transformed how they learn. For example, doing maths outside means we make number lines with ropes and pegs. They learn much quicker than with a whiteboard and paper.”

Joanne Wright Teacher, Reigate Grammar School

"More than 200 students have gone through the programme so far. It informs so many aspects of school life, from education and practical work to communications with the wider school community.

"We have created the school's first wildlife garden, installed bucket ponds, a beetlery and bee homes, built dry hedges, planted new trees, and raised awareness around the school. Whatever their ability, every child enjoys the freedom of being outdoors and having the opportunity to pause in nature. This has become a new way for us all to look at learning.”

With thanks to all participating schools including St Paul's Church of England. Byfleet Primary, Harley Infants. Hatchlands Primary, Shawley Community Primary. Hurst Green Infants. Holy Family Catholic School and St Peter's Primary.