Nature Champions

School

Nature Champions

Rising transport costs are becoming a barrier to taking school trips! Let us bring nature to you! We are committed to bring nature and outdoor learning to children in some of the most nature depleted wards in our region*. Our Championing Nature project, supported by the All-England Lawn Tennis Club and Emirates, is enabling us to get on the road and deliver outdoor learning in schools around Birmingham. 

Our outreach programme offers a range of curriculum-linked sessions to be delivered on school grounds by a qualified Education Officer. We will bring equipment and resources to lead these sessions; providing school staff an opportunity to develop their skillset by observing and developing their own outdoor teaching practices in the setting. 

Our Nature Champions complete session list can be found here.

Scroll down for FAQs including information about booking.

School children harvest potatoes from a small raised bed.

Copyright Edd Moore Damers First School

Nature Friends

A seasonal selection of nature-based and sensory activities to connect our youngest learners to their natural world. Using the Early Years Framework, our learners will explore the outdoor environment around them and begin to view their school grounds as a home for wildlife as well as a space for play!

EYFS and into KS1

School children at a Wildlife Trust reserve

Helena Dolby, Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust

Changes and Chains

A range of curriculum-specific sessions to introduce and strengthen the knowledge of learners to how the natural world is full of variation and change. Learners will explore the wildlife present on their school grounds and link this to wider knowledge.

  • Food Chains (Years 1, 2 and 4)

  • Cycles and Seasons (Years 1, 2, 3 and 5)

  • Adaptation and Evolution (Year 6)

School

Plants and Seeds

This year group adaptable workshop covers the Plants topic across the Key Stages: plant parts and functions, flowers and plant life cycles, and seed dispersal. Learners will discover and examine the different types of plants around us and the vital role they all play in maintaining a healthy environment, reproduction and growth.

All years.

Education

WildNet - Penny Dixie

Living Things and Their Habitats

A range of curriculum-specific sessions to explore and discover habitats and microhabitats in school grounds all year round. Whilst learners identify a range of species, they determine how to support a healthy outdoor environment and provide habitats for all the wildlife they find. Older learners extend this further by examining how grouping species in recording allows us to support development in ecosystems.

  • Habitats (Years 1 and 2)

  • Grouping and Sorting (Years 4 and 6)

 

Den building

Adrian Clarke

Orienteering, Dens and Team Building

A practical team challenge workshop. Working together using a variety of skills surrounding basic orienteering, puzzles, and teamwork, to complete brain-teasing activities, and construct a range of shelters for survival in the wild. Gross and fine motor skills merge with communication skills in this fun learning activity, which is adapted to ages, abilities, and school grounds.

All years.

School

Eco Warriors

A curated session for older learners who want to contribute to promoting eco-friendly schools. Taking inspiration from the ‘sustainability leadership and climate action plans’ (DfE, 2025), these sessions support students in becoming scientific learners, and campaigners for greener schools and nurturing community values.

KS2 ONLY.

Will the sessions be led?

Workshops are led by one of our expert Education Team. Our educators are first aid trained, with enhanced DBS certificates and outdoor learning experience. The school must still provide staff to assist with behavioural management and any additional needs.

Do you do risk assessments?

All of our learning activities are risk assessed. We will ask you for a risk assessment for your school grounds and will complete a session-specific risk assessment before the session(s) which may mean making some changes to your outdoor area such as litter removal.

Does the school need to provide materials?

We will bring all equipment, materials and resources to you!

How many pupils?

Workshops are for a maximum of 32 children (1class) and must have adequate adult supervision of any 1:1 support.

What are the session times?

Sessions run for up to 2hours continuously, which is often split into a morning or afternoon session.

How much does it cost?

Each session is £185, or alternatively £157.50 per session when 3 or more are booked at once. These subsidised costs are kept low due to support from the All-England Lawn Tennis Club and Emirates as part of our Championing Nature programme of activities. 

How do I book?

Our Education Team are often busy delivering so please email us at education@bbcwildlife.org.uk with your school’s name, address, year groups, preferred workshops, and preferred dates. We will get in touch and arrange to visit your school grounds to support with personalised delivery and any access considerations. Once we have agreed on sessions you will be sent a booking form, Service Level Agreement, and payment instruction.

What should we wear?

Sessions will take place in most weathers (see below about poor weather conditions). Warm, waterproof layers and sturdy footwear for the winter and sun hates, suncream (already applied!) and long sleeves in the summer. It is recommended to have covered legs in the summer where there is long grass. 

What about bad weather?

If the weather is risk assessed by us as unsafe due to it being too wet, cold, windy or hot, you may be offered a rescheduled date. Sessions will go ahead in light rain and wind. Make sure pupils and staff have the right clothing in order to participate.

Championing Nature logos

*This offer is currently targeted to schools in the following Birmingham wards: Alum Rock, Aston, Balsall Heath West, Birchfield, Bordesley and Highgate, Bordesley Green, Castle Vale, Gravelly Hill, Heartlands, Lozells, Nechells, New Town, Pype Hayes and Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East. If you are outside of these wards, please email us with your school’s name and address.