Gavin Dickson
Learning and education
Tees Valley Wildlife Trust delivers a wide-ranging education programme designed to connect young people with wildlife and environmental issues.
As screen time becomes a bigger part of daily life, creating opportunities for children and young people to connect with nature is more important than ever. Our work responds to this by offering meaningful, hands-on experiences in the natural environment, helping young people build confidence, understand their place in the world and develop a lasting love of wildlife.
We provide a safe, well-supported environment for learning, with access to a range of habitats and landscapes across the Tees Valley. Sessions are linked to your curriculum and supported by experienced, DBS-checked staff who know our sites well. We provide field equipment, resources and guidance, and carry out risk assessments for all activities so you can focus on getting the most from your visit.
If you’re an educator, explore our primary and secondary school workshop pages below, or get in touch to discuss how we can support the young people you work with.
More ways to connect with nature
Alongside our primary and secondary workshops, we offer a range of wider opportunities for schools, colleges and groups of all ages to connect with nature.
Forest School
Forest School gives pupils the chance to learn and grow through regular, hands-on experiences outdoors.
In a supportive natural setting, pupils build confidence, develop positive relationships and learn to work together. Sessions encourage curiosity, creativity and problem-solving, while helping young people connect with the natural world and develop practical skills.
Activities take place all year round, giving your group the opportunity to experience the seasons and learn through real-world exploration. Sessions are often pupil-led, with experienced leaders guiding learning in a safe and engaging way.
Forest School supports a wide range of learning styles and can be particularly valuable during key transitions, such as moving from primary to secondary school.
We offer flexible options, from one-off taster sessions to longer-term programmes.
John Muir Award
The John Muir Award is an inspiring way for young people to discover, enjoy and care for wild places.
We support schools and groups to take part through a range of flexible programmes, from single conservation days to fully supported 5, 10 or 20 day experiences.
Participants will:
- Discover a wild place
- Explore it through hands-on activities such as nature walks, habitat investigations and creative tasks
- Conserve it through practical environmental work
- Share their experiences through writing, art or other creative outputs
It’s a great way to build confidence, teamwork and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Practical conservation sessions
Give your students the chance to take part in real conservation work with a hands-on day at one of our nature reserves.
These sessions connect learning to real-world action, helping students develop teamwork, confidence and a deeper understanding of how habitats are managed and protected.
Activities vary depending on the site and time of year, and can be tailored to suit your group and learning goals.
Full day: £200
CPD for teachers
Take time out of the classroom to build your confidence in outdoor learning. Our CPD sessions can be tailored to your setting, whether you’re looking to develop practical skills, explore ways to deliver learning outdoors, or spend time reconnecting with nature alongside colleagues.
Find out more
If you'd like to chat through your options, email [email protected].