What is the Nature Network?
Seeing your learners marvel at nature's wonders and empowering them to make positive changes in their community is one of the most rewarding aspects of working with children. Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Education team is here to help you get more of those smiles into your lessons!
Our Nature Network aims to connect educators to resources, training and each other, to help them enhance their outdoor learning and make their school grounds a part of nature’s recovery.
CPD opportunities
Click below to find out more about our Educator training courses and events.
Learning Nature’s Language - FREE Nature Network CPD Event for Educators
Come along to our Education Centre at Nower Wood on Tuesday 28th January for our FREE Nature Network CPD session. Learn how to use natural materials and your outdoor spaces to deliver inspiring literacy lessons and teach students how to tap into nature’s language. We will be sharing best practice and practical ready to use ideas for taking your literacy lessons outdoors.
AIM Qualifications Level 1 Award in Forest School Ethos and Principles
Learn how to be an effective member of a Forest School delivery team.
AIM Qualifications Level 2 Award for Forest School Assistants
Learn how to be a skilful assistant at a Forest School programme, helping a Forest School leader and programme participants to connect with nature through this exciting ethos for learning outdoors.
AIM Qualifications Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders
Looking to connect children or adults with woodlands, while helping them to realise their own potential? The Forest School ethos is a perfect tool to do this. Attend a Level 3 course run by our experienced Forest School trainers and become a Forest School Leader!
Leading Outdoor Learning (Level 2)
This accredited 2 day course will give you the skills and confidence to take your learning into nature, using your school grounds or local greenspaces as your classroom. Find out about the benefits of learning outdoors, what your grounds and natural spaces offer for delivering the primary curriculum, risk-benefit assessment and looking after your site. We will also visit a nearby school grounds to look at how they use their grounds in teaching and learning. Complete follow-up work to gain a certificate accredited at Level 2 by AIM Qualifications. We deliver this course in partnership with SOLD.
Webinars
Watch our educational webinars to find out more about outdoor learning, tree & hedge planting, and our Wilder Schools project.
The Benefits of Learning in Nature
Our Education Tutor Kirsty Porter takes us through the latest research supporting the reasons why we should take learners into natural environments.
Wilder Schools Project - How we can help you
Find out more about our innovative Wilder Schools Project; our Education Manager Louise Shorthose will tell you about the fantastic outcomes for achievement of staff and children, as well as for nature in your school grounds. Hear from a teacher from one of our current schools, and find out how to get your school involved too!
Planning your tree & hedge planting
We were pleased to welcome Francesca from Roots for the Future and Anna from Children's Forest to share with us their tips for planting trees with your schools and community groups. Further information and curriculum links in the webinar notes.
School gardens & wildlife
School Gardens are a fabulous opportunity for learning about how we depend on wildlife for our own survival alongside achieving teaching and learning outcomes, and developing life skills.
Further guidance
© Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
© Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Tell us how we can help
We would love to hear suggestions about how we can help you to bring more nature to your teaching and learning! What topics would you like training to cover? How do you want to find out about our activities? What will make it easier for you to take part?
Contact us at education.centres@surreywt.org.uk