Roadshows for Schools

Heythrop Zoological Gardens, based in Chipping Norton, West Oxfordshire, are the largest providers of animals for film, TV, advertising, natural history documentaries, photography and live events in Europe. Our animals have appeared in favourites such as Harry Potter and Big Barn Farm and have worked with David Attenborough and a host of pop stars and actors. We have been running roadshows at special events for the past 38 years and now offer a tailor-made service to schools.

As we all know, outcomes across the curriculum improve when pupils learn from first-hand experience. Therefore, what could be better when starting a Science project than to investigate real live animals visiting your school, complete with trainers who can give educational talks and answer questions?

Develop investigation and communication skills

The roadshows aim to capture pupils' interest in nature and help them to understand conservation issues for animals in the wild, including their history and the cultures they are part of. Close encounters with animals can also inspire poetry, music, dance, artwork and pieces of drama after the visit. Events are structured to enable pupils to explore the animals in detail so that they have lots of information to use in follow-up work. Recording the animals through photography and drawing is encouraged, as is using vocabulary to describe their characteristics and their relationship to other animals and their environment.

Choose from National Curriculum linked themes, or suggest your own:

• Creepy Crawlies – a selection of reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, including non-venomous snakes (large and small), giant toads and tarantulas.
• Animals and their Environment - choose from animals from either South America (e.g. squirrel monkey), Africa (e.g. ring tailed lemur) or South East Asia (e.g. fruit bat).
• Extreme Climates (including a penguin).
• Endangered Species – specifically looking at conservation issues of animals in the wild.

[All events are tailor-made to your school and can link to: KS1 & 2 Science Breadth of Study Life processes and Living things; KS2 & 3 Geographical enquiry; & KS2 & 3 Scientific enquiry into habitats, adaption and food chains]

Benefits:

Before the event -

• Receive digital images of the animals visiting your school to share with pupils.
• Develop investigation, questioning & ICT skills by emailing pupil enquiries to the trainers, to be answered on the day of the event.

During the event -

• Provide large numbers of pupils with memorable curriculum-linked experiences without the need for transport.
• Be close enough to the animals to take photographs and investigate how they move and interact with their environment.
• Help pupils become more aware of the needs of animals and how they are cared for.

After the event -

• Use children and teachers' photographs, notes, word banks and sketches to inform cross-curricular work.

From £400 (plus VAT). A £400 package includes 4 different species. Transport costs are charged at 80p per mile.

Schools need to provide a warm holding room for our staff to assemble the animals and change (particularly in the winter months). Students will need access to digital cameras and notebooks. Events run from 10am-3pm or 9am-2pm (both with an hour break) and can involve pupils from all classes divided across the time, representing outstanding value at around £2 per pupil for an average size primary school.

We have a massive selection of animals available, including: owls, meerkats, skunks, armadillos, llamas, crested porcupines, baby crocodiles, camels and donkeys

For bookings and enquiries (inc. Risk Assessment) please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Testimonials:

"10 out of 10. It was an absolutely amazing day and the children and staff loved every minute. The children were in Reception and Year One were so inspired by the day that they independently made a penguin, took a penguin home and wrote thank you letters about their day. A child said 'This is the best day of my life' and another said 'Do they have to go home'.

Can I just say Emma and Mary were absolutely fantastic and the children really liked them both.They were fantastic with the children and the way they communicated with the different age groups. All the staff and children spoke very highly of them and I think they have inspired most of the school to work with animals!!!!

I cannot Thank you all enough for making this day possible for us all. It has ended the year in a magical way for the children in Team Happy Feet."

Herstmonceux Primary School