Wilder Schools

School group
Outdoor Learning

Wilder Schools

Join our Wilder Schools programme!

We are amidst a global climate, biodiversity and health crisis and we, as educators, need to do our best to equip the children we teach with the tools they need to live sustainably, be successful, happy and healthy in an unpredictable and rapidly changing world.

The deadline to apply to be a part of the next Wilder Schools cohort starting September 2024 is 28th March 2024.

Why embed outdoor learning into your curriculum?

There are so many proven benefits to learning outdoors and connecting with nature including improved mental and physical health, wellbeing, engagement, academic attainment, behaviour, attitudes to learning, cognitive skills, resilience, self-esteem, social skills, personal development and pro environmental behaviours.

We all know that children and young people learn best when they are happy and healthy therefore if learning in and through nature helps improve happiness and good health improved attainment will follow. Outdoor learning should not be seen as a separate subject but a way of teaching that can enrich the delivery of your curriculum and lead to deepened understanding and mastery. Through learning about and in natural spaces local to them children and young people will develop a stronger understanding of the world and their place in it.

How to apply

To apply to become a Wilder School, email your application to education.centres@surreywt.org.uk and include the following information:

  1. Confirmation that the school leadership team understand the commitments of and agree to the programme
  2. Why your school would like to join (max 500 words). 
  3. Photograph(s) of your school grounds and let us know which year group you would like us to work with (KS2 up)

The deadline to apply to be a part of the next Wilder Schools cohort starting September 2024 is 28th March 2024.

Interested in joining the programme but would like more information first? Please send any enquiries to education.centres@surreywt.org.uk.

View full programme details

Are there any additional costs?

The Wilder Schools programme delivery from Surrey Wildlife Trust is free, but there are some additional costs as part of the programme.

Additional costs will need to be covered by the school and include a visit to our Nower Wood Ancient Woodland Reserve and Educational Centre along with any teacher training required, which will be agreed on with the school based on their needs.

Supporting documents

The following documents are for the current academic year's programme, which are subject to review and amendment. They give an outline to what you can expect as a Wilder School.

General Enquiries

You can contact us about our Team Wilder projects by

Email: education.centres@surreywt.org.uk
Phone: 01372 379509