14
WWT Report and Financial Statements 2012/13
Learning about Wetlands
Formal learning about wetlands
WWT offers a range of opportunities for young people to
visit our centres as part of formal learning groups. Their
visits focus on learning about conservation, wetlands and
wildlife in our wetland centres and beyond. Highlights
during the year included:
•
The launch of our national Inspiring Generations
Free School Visits Scheme, enabling pupils from
disadvantaged areas to visit our wetland centres and
take part in a guided learning session. After seed
funding from a number of corporate, charitable trust
and individual supporters, the scheme attracted
funding (approaching £1 million over four years) from
HSBC allowing us to offer over 60,000 free visits. The
funding also enables us to deliver teacher training
workshops, to help teachers develop skills and
confidence in learning outdoors with their pupils.
•
Welcoming over 46,000 pupils and some 10,000
teachers and parent helpers on education group visits
to our nine UK wetland centres. Primary schools
account for the majority of education group visits.
Most groups take part in our guided wetland learning
sessions, delivered by our learning staff at centres.
This figure is healthy but represents a decrease on
2011/12 figures. This is typical for the sector as the
school trips market has been affected by education
budget cuts and the increasing cost of coach hire.
We’re continuing to develop our education service to
ensure it remains relevant and engaging to young people
and the schools market. Developments last year included
designing new guided learning sessions and resources,
for example online learning resources for schools to use
pre and post visit. For the first time we also began a
national targeted email marketing campaign to schools,
and produced national marketing leaflets and promotional
videos to advertise our education service on and offline.
Non formal learning about wetlands
An extensive range of exhibits, events and activities is
provided at centres throughout the year to engage and
inspire all our visitors. Over the last year, we’ve been
paying special attention to everyday walks and talks.
We’ve talked to visitors to understand better their interests
Photo: © WWT
