Information for teachers
School trips
When to visit
Northumberland Zoo is open for visits throughout most of the year.
Once you have completed the online form, we will aim to contact you within the next two working days to follow-up your booking. We recommend booking as early as possible if you intend to visit us during June/July.
School visits must be made a minimum of five days prior to your intended date.
Arrival & payment
Schools typically arrive to the zoo at 10am. A member of zoo staff will wait for the coach to park and then greet you on the coach. There is free coach parking on site available all day. Your welcome briefing will include information about site safety, including meeting points around the zoo and any other relevant information.
You will have already received an invoice before your arrival. It helps us if you could ensure this payment is processed prior to arrival. For schools who pay through the County Council, a Trust or a Diocese we anticipate that these payments may take longer to reach us. Please help us by advising us of your payment processes in advance.
Risk management & behaviour.
We recommend that staff visit the site ahead of any school bookings. You will receive an invitation for up to two staff members to visit us for free before your visit when you confirm your booking. This helps you to familiarise yourself with the setting and have any questions answered. It also helps to plan for pupils with specific needs or medical requirements.
If there are any adaptations that staff on site can provide please make us aware via telephone or email.
Accompanying adults are admitted for free under set ratios at the expectation that they will ensure the appropriate behaviour of learners around the zoo, and that learners have a safe and fulfilling visit.
All learners under the age of 16 (year 11 and below) must be supervised and within sight of an adult at all times during their visit. Learners over the age of 16 (year 12 and above) do not need to be with an adult at all times, but staff must be in the Zoo and contactable by learners during their visit
As the zoo can become busy at times, we suggest planning in some meeting points in quieter areas so as not to block paths and gangways. Students are expected to not litter, not use inappropriate language and not feed any of the animals. Smoking and vaping on site is prohibited and anyone found to contravene these rules may be asked to leave the premises.
A downloadable copy of our school visit behaviour guidelines can be found here. Please ensure you read through the relevant points on this list with your students.
During your visit
Schools usually visit us from 10:00 - 14:00. During your visit there will be the opportunity to attend a private workshop, and also public events like talks and shows.
When visiting busy areas such as the gift shop, wild theatre or café it is important that students are appropriately supervised. As you know the behaviour of your students best, we request that you make sure students are supervised within a suitable ratio in these areas. We recommend pre-ordering food in the café in the morning if you wish to have a cooked lunch. We also recommend staggering visits to the shop throughout the day.
You are welcome to attend any of the zookeeper talks during your visit. Timings for these can be found on the app.