Wilder Schools Mile Cross session 5 (credit: NWT)
Wilder Schools
We are currently facing a biodiversity crisis and providing children with regular and meaningful opportunities to connect with nature has become more important than ever before.
What is Wilder Schools?
Launched in autumn 2023, our Wilder Schools pilot project is a three-year programme working with schools to enable children to connect with nature and care for wildlife in their school grounds. The pilot project has been kindly supported by Friends of Holt Hall and our Children and Nature Fund.
Through nature-based, 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.
Our Wilder Schools programme helps implementation of the Department for Education's Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy through supporting all four pillars of a school's Climate Action Plan.
Programme outline
Below is a summary of the three-year programme. Please note: this is a guide and may vary slightly from school to school as each setting has different needs and interests.
Year 1 – Discovery and action-planning
NWT work with one year group to collectively decide on and carry out action for biodiversity in school grounds, through school-based curriculum-linked sessions.
NWT reserve visit.
Two twilight sessions with school staff.
Year 2 – School-based action
NWT support of school Eco-group to continue momentum built in year 1.
Partner-led session with curriculum / wellbeing / biodiversity focus.
Two twilight sessions with school staff.
Year 3 – Building a network
NWT continue to support Eco group action in school, as well as wider community action to build resilience of biodiversity action in school for the long-term.
Two twilight sessions with school staff.
Wilder Schools celebration event.
Our Wilder Schools
For the pilot, we have been working with three Norfolk schools – Angel Road Junior School, Fairhaven Primary School and Mile Cross Primary School.
Take a look at the work we have been doing with our three Wilder Schools. Click on each school to find out more.
Interested in becoming a Wilder School?
Following the experience of our pilot programme, we are now in a position to recruit three further schools onto the programme, to start in September 2025. The programme will continue to be fully-funded for the participating schools.
For more information about what the programme involves, please see our 'Wilder Schools information and recruitment pack' below:
Wilder Schools information and recruitment pack
To apply to join the Wilder Schools programme from September this year, please complete the online application form below. The deadline for applications is 30th April 2025. Please note that spaces are limited!
Apply to join the Wilder Schools programme
If you have any queries about the Wilder Schools programme, or about becoming a Wilder School, please do get in touch via email: educationenquiries@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk.
Thank you for your interest in Wilder Schools!