Pupils at The Willows Primary School in Newbury having outdoor fun with exercises inspired by wildlife. Picture: Pete Hughes
Wilder Schools
Launching in autumn 2026, Wilder Schools is a three-year programme which enables children to connect with nature and care for wildlife in their school grounds.
Through nature-focused, curriculum-linked sessions, our Wilder Schools programme aims to improve children's wellbeing and learning, and to empower school communities to maximise the biodiversity of their sites.
A key component of the programme is teacher training - growing the confidence of teachers to teach outside the classroom.
Initially, we will be working with Primary schools across each of our three counties and, in time, the programme will be extended to Secondary schools, and potentially other educational settings.
Our Officers will work with one group of children through the three years, starting while the children are lower Key Stage 2. They will also work with the whole school community through, for example, assemblies, meetings and fundraising initiatives.
Programme Outline
Apart from where indicated, this is a free service, funded by BBOWT.
Year one - Discovery and action planning
- One visit a month from one of our Learning Officers, including an initial planning meeting with staff, introductory assembly and teacher training.
- Pupils complete baseline habitat surveys in school grounds, plan and develop their project, culminating in a community action day to realise the plan.
- Where possible, year one will include a visit to one of our Learning Hubs with our Wilder Schools receiving preferential booking for limited places (this is a paid-for service, though some schools will qualify for our bursary scheme).
Year two - school-based action
- One visit a term, including INSET days.
- Pupils continue to monitor gains for nature in school grounds, undertake identified actions for nature and to connect to nature.
- School continues to embed outdoor learning in teacher practice.
Year three - building a network
- One visit a term, including INSET days.
- Celebration of successes, review meetings and engagement with Wilder Schools network.
Learn more about Wilder Schools...
Pilot study: January-July 2026
We are working with seven schools across the three counties from January-July 2026 (see map for details). This pilot study will provide us with essential opportunities to co-design our programme with pupils and teachers and to understand how best to work in partnership with the school community.
Layers
Join our schools
Click below to learn more and register your interest in becoming a Wilder School.
Wilder Schools Application Form
If you have any queries about the Wilder Schools programme, or about becoming a Wilder School, please email: learning@bbowt.org.uk