Norfolk charity looking to roll-out 'Zoo school' model after pilot
The programme started off at Kinsale Junior School and is embedding more lessons on nature into the curriculum there
A local charity piloting a new programme on nature and the environment at a Norwich school say they want to roll it out further.
Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA) is working with Kinsale Junior School to bring more lessons on conservation to the classroom.
This 'Zoo School' model is being described as a a first-of its-kind approach to embedding conservation and sustainability education into everyday school life.
It aims to blend hands-on science learning, nature-based experiences, and real-world conservation insight to inspire the next generation of conservationists.
"They are our audience and the future conservationists"
Sara Goatcher is head of conservation education at ZSEA:
"Connections with schools are so important for zoo. They are our audience and the future conservationists, so inspiring them to get hands on with nature and connected with it is so important.
"The programme allows me not just to see these connections growing, but to prove the importance of young people being connected to nature. Those who are more connected are more likely to show pro conservationist mindsets in the future".
Roz Robinson is headteacher at Kinsale Junior School:
"What we're seeing at the moment is a well structured curriculum, that's meaningful. It means that we have a good broad balance of things being taught here, which we've been praised by Ofsted for.
"The children really do love it. We've really embedded Zoo school across all parts of the school from class and house names. They also love the fact that they're known by the Zoo".
What are the main aims of this 'Zoo School':
• Enhancing understanding of conservation and sustainability at all ages
• Developing career pathways in science, conservation, and environmental sectors
• Giving students hands-on experience with nature and direct access to scientists
• Helping pupils understand their environmental impact locally and globally
• Inspiring schools to build long-term partnerships with conservation organisations
ZSEA are now working with he British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) to formally accredit the Zoo School model.
The initiative was first presented at the BIAZA Conference on 19th June 2025.