Chester Zoo has announced that children can visit the attraction for free during this week's teacher strike.
Any school aged children can take advantage of the offer, which runs this Wednesday, February 1, when thousands of teachers will be taking part in industrial action over pay and conditions.
The zoo’s ranger team will be hosting interactive and educational events throughout the day and 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'.
Read more: Will my child's school shut when teachers strike?
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.”
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 are available on the zoo’s website now and must be pre-booked, with children accompanied by a paying adult. One adult ticket costs £27.27.
To find out more about the offer and activities planned, and to book visit the website.
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