WWT London Wetland Centre

What will students see and do?

An urban oasis in the heart of London, WWT London Wetland Centre provides unique opportunities for learners of all ages and abilities to interact with birds and other wildlife from the UK and across the world.

The Wetland Centre is situated in Barnes and is built on the site of Victorian-era reservoirs. It is an artificial environment built to provide a home for nature in the city across a mosaic of different wetland habitats.

It is home to a wide range of flora and fauna, from ducks and other birds that come to breed or spend the winter in the wetlands to amphibians, reptiles and a huge variety of invertebrate life and plants, some of which are rare or endangered in the UK.

A small collection of water birds from around the world also lives onsite in specially designed habitats, along with a pair of lovable otters who are the highlight of any visit!

Students have the opportunity to connect with nature and experience wetland wildlife first-hand, whether watching birds from the comfort of a hide, getting hands-on with freshwater minibeasts in a Pond Explorers session, or getting up close exploring plants in a Plant Detectives session.

As one of the UK’s leading conservation charities, WWT has welcomed school groups to its centres for years, providing students with unforgettable learning experiences.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

WWT London Wetland Centre offers a wide range of curriculum-linked sessions for all age groups, from early years up.

There are a number of shorter sessions suitable for early years groups, all of which are hands-on and help children with understanding the world around them.

For primary groups, there are popular hands-on topics like pond dipping and minibeasts, with good links to science topics like habitats, adaptations, life cycles and classification. Sessions on plants and birds help build skills in thinking scientifically, and there are also sessions that cover current subjects like climate change, plastic pollution and water sustainability.

For secondary groups, more in-depth versions of sessions like pond dipping are available, giving an opportunity to have a go at data collection and sampling. For older age groups sessions can be tweaked and tailored to suit their learning outcomes, with the Wetland Centre providing an excellent concrete example of changing land-use in an urban environment.

London Wetland Centre is also an ideal venue for SEND groups and groups with other additional needs, thanks to its relaxed environment and sensory experiences. Sessions can be tailored to suit particular requirements, and staff are happy to advise on this if needed.

A full searchable list of sessions can be found on the centre’s website.

Subjects covered

Details of risk assessment

Group leaders should complete a risk assessment prior to visiting, and a free pre-visit can be booked for this purpose.

There is also a risk assessment on the website.

PLANNING

Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment

Download Now