Education & Schools

Experience the great outdoors and learn about nature

Education resources

We are in the process of developing some educational resources to inspire children to get involved in nature and learn about the natural world around them.

Below is library of free, downloadable resources available from ourselves and other organisations.

• • Glorious Cotswolds Grasslands Art Pack
    A fun, colourful, and engaging arts pack for Key Stages 1 & 2 to help school children and learn all about wildflower meadows.
  • Gloucester Wildlife Trust’s Activities for Children a wide range of spotting sheets and fun and interesting activities pages.
    • • Spring & Summer
    • • Autumn & Winter
      • Rainy Days
      • Anytime
      • Wildlife Watch
  • RSPB
    • • The RSPB Wild Challenge Award (free award scheme for schools)
        Specially developed suite of activities to engage children with natuyre and provide learning opportunities.
      • RSPB Wildlife Activities for children
  • Woodlands Trust
    • • Green Tree Schools Award (free award scheme for schools)
        Schools can take part in fun, practical projects while helping the environment and improving your grounds. It’s completely free and Woodlands Trust provide resources and support to help you get the most out of it. Pupils can also earn certificates in recognition of their achievements and a special plaque to display in your school.
      • Tree Tools for Schools
      • British Trees (including Tree ID App)
      • Woodland Animals
      • Woodland Habitats
  • World Wildlife Fund
    • • Climate Change Resources for Schools
      • Plant 2 Plate (for pupils aged 5-11 years)
      • Species Resources for Schools
      • Engaging classroom resources and activities by age range
      • How big is your environmental impact?
  • Marian Hills, a Bath based Illustrator and Artist, is developing a wonderful project about beetles,
    • • Buzz and Scuttle “The Great Mini-Beast Hunt” Booklet, which is available to download from the Bathscape website
      • You can see more of Marian’s artwork on the Bathscape website here
      • Posters can be purchased through Marian’s online website

School Groups

The voluntary arm of the Cotswolds National Landscape, the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens, has been working with schools in and around the Cotswolds for many years and in 2008, a pilot project was developed focusing on taking children outside the classroom to explore their local environment. This project grew in subsequent years and is now an important area of Voluntary Warden activity.

At present, work is targeted at pupils up to Key Stage 2 but there is the potential to work at Key Stage 3 level and above. Activities have involved work with the whole school or individual year groups.

Our wardens can offer (dependent on location of school and volunteers available):

• • Creating natural sculptures and work with pastels
  • Work with trees
  • Basic map and compass skills
  • Bug hunts and pond/stream dipping
  • Wild flower walks and fossil hunting

Take a look at our Education Brochure, containing an overview of our education programme and details of how to get in touch.

All activities are supported by volunteers. If your school has an idea or wishes to discuss any activities then please contact
Becky Jones, Access and Volunteer Lead, rebecca.jones@cotswoldsaonb.org.uk