CHESTER ZOO has announced that school aged children can visit the conservation zoo for free during this week’s planned teacher strike.

Children are invited to explore the zoo with their families and learn about its mission to prevent extinction of endangered species on Wednesday, February 1, the same day that a number of teachers will be going on strike as part of an NEU pay dispute. The zoo’s ranger team will be hosting interactive and educational events throughout the day.

 

Chester Zoo has announced free tickets for children during Wednesdays planned teachers strike, which is due to impact several schools in the area.

Chester Zoo has announced free tickets for children during Wednesday's planned teachers' strike, which is due to impact several schools in the area.

 

Some schools in the Chester area have confirmed they will be impacted by the industrial action, with Upton High School effectively closed on Wednesday, while school will be closed to several year groups at Blacon High (Years 7-10) and Queen's Park High (Years 8-10).

The initiative is part of the conservation and education charity’s mission to inspire a new generation of conservationists, with young people playing a vital role in creating a sustainable future for the planet and its wildlife.

Charlotte Smith, director of conservation education at Chester Zoo, said: “Our education team will be hosting lots of extra fun interactive activities on Wednesday – all aimed at helping educate children about the incredible animals here at the zoo, as well as equipping them with the skills they’ll need to become the conservationists of the future.

“As one of the world’s leading conservation zoos, we put everything into our work to prevent extinction both here in the UK and globally. Our huge team live and breathe wildlife conservation – so we want to give children and young people the opportunity to learn all about how they can help play a vital role in creating a more sustainable future for people and wildlife.”

 

Chester Zoo has announced free tickets for children during Wednesdays planned teachers strike, which is due to impact several schools in the area.

Chester Zoo has announced free tickets for children during Wednesday's planned teachers' strike, which is due to impact several schools in the area.

 

Staff at the zoo are supporting a move to see conservation education, including issues such as climate change and sustainability, embedded into the UK curriculum - having already seen it work successfully in the north west of England.

A range of in-zoo activities will be available at no extra cost on the day.

Free tickets will be available on the zoo’s website and must be pre-booked, with children accompanied by a paying adult.

To find out more about the offer and activities planned, visit www.chesterzoo.org