Lessons in schools and online
Assemblies in schools
The Royal Parks’ Help Nature Thrive project can offer schools a unique interactive assembly presentation, in-person and free of charge.
Our experienced team of educators guide students on a virtual walk around three different habitats found in the parks:
Unique Underground
Discover how fantastic fungi and healthy soils are important for our trees and plants to grow
Marvellous Meadows
Learn about the incredible insects who pollinate our plants
Lovely Lakes
Explore wild bird food chains and why feeding wildlife can be bad for nature.
Interactive demonstrations and mass participation games makes this interactive 45 minute-long session great for large audiences.
We can adapt the session to suit KS1 or KS2 classes.
Benefits for you
These Help Nature Thrive Assemblies are free thanks to support from Players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
A visit from The Royal Parks’ Help Nature Thrive team is inspiring and memorable for students and teachers alike, with:
- Curriculum linked content
- All essential resources and materials provided
- A bonus pre-assembly activity
- Sensory packs available during the session to enhance the experience for students who will benefit from this
- 50% discount on sessions at the Hyde Park Learning Centre to experience the hidden treasures of the park yourself
If you have any questions, please email HelpNatureThrive@royalparks.org.uk
Online sessions
Link up live with The Royal Parks' Learning team for a unique interactive experience for your students. These curriculum-linked sessions use a blend of video conferencing, pre-recorded video and exciting classroom resources (posted to you in advance) to inspire your students to explore the parks' incredible environments. These inspiring and innovative sessions are available for only £75+VAT per class.
Grow your classroom
Bring the wonder of Hyde Park right into your classroom with this informative hands-on virtual workshop. Your children will explore a selection of plants using all their senses, discover what plants need to survive and learn about seed dispersal. They’ll take a close look at the parts of a plant and their functions, then use the kit you'll receive in the post to plant an edible indoor garden suitable for all times of year to grow (and eat!) in your classroom – a learning resource that will inspire fascination long after the session.
"It was a brilliant session and the pupils thoroughly enjoyed it... child friendly, easy and clear instructions to follow for pupils, great member of staff." - Teacher, year 4
| Suitable for: KS2 | Duration: 60 minutes |
Navigate Hyde Park
Bring Hyde Park into your classroom with a Virtual Orienteering challenge around Hyde Park. Students will learn to use a compass, map and key. They will then compete against each other in a challenge to navigate one of our team members around Hyde Park in real time. Earn points by adding the landmarks we pass onto maps and directing a member of the learning team using bearings and scales.
"The children really loved it! It was so lovely to actually see Alison moving around in Hyde Park and I heard a few children say 'I've been there!' at different times, really showing how real it all was! In these times of difficulty for our school children, it was lovely for some extra special excitement!" - Teacher, year 3
| Suitable for: KS2 | Duration: 90 minutes (first half pre-recorded, second half live) |
Virtual Fieldwork - Ecology (pre-recorded resource pack)
Conduct virtual ecology fieldwork on biodiversity in freshwater habitats with The Royal Parks’ Learning Team, with our two 1-hour pre-recorded sessions.
In the first session, suitable for KS4 and KS5, students will be forming their own hypotheses, considering biotic and abiotic factors, identifying freshwater invertebrates, completing scientific drawings, then analysing their data and drawing conclusions. After hearing from people managing the park, students will be using their findings to advise The Royal Parks on how we ought to manage The Serpentine lake in Hyde Park for biodiversity.
The second session is a KS5 data analysis masterclass, with students learning first-hand how research can be put into action. They’ll be studying and manipulating the same data that we commissioned and used to form our actual management plans. Students will learn about the factors at play when managing a large urban waterbody, the techniques we have employed to combat eutrophication in the Serpentine and will analyse photographs to measure the effect of planting reed beds on the water’s oxygen concentration. Using secondary data, graphs and statistical analysis, students will assess the success of our measures against eutrophication.
With workbooks to complete during the video and two hours of optional post-course resources, students will be able to gain the experience of fieldwork from the safety of their desk. The whole package covering KS4 and KS5 is now available at only £75+VAT.
| Suitable for: KS4 or KS5 | Duration: half day |
Virtual Fieldwork – Carbon storage in Hyde Park (one-hour live session)
Conduct live virtual fieldwork considering the impact of Hyde Park on atmospheric carbon dioxide through estimating the trees’ carbon sequestration. Students will write and test their own hypothesis, learn a technique for measuring the amount of carbon stored in a tree, and use their findings to propose a new Hyde Park tree management plan. We’ll provide worksheets, methods, unmanipulated data suitable for the NEA, and comprehensive guides through statistical analysis alongside expert advice from The Royal Parks' learning and arboriculture teams. This inspiring session is available for only £75+VAT per class - please see our "Before your session" page for more details.
"Thank you so much for the session today, Charlotte was excellent. This has really supported our push with the NEA. I appreciate the support and time that has gone into delivering this session. Really excellent geography going on!" - Teacher, year 13
Virtual Fieldwork - Ecology (pre-recorded resource pack)
Conduct virtual ecology fieldwork on biodiversity in freshwater habitats with The Royal Parks’ Learning Team, with our two 1-hour pre-recorded sessions.
In the first session, suitable for KS4 and KS5, students will be forming their own hypotheses, considering biotic and abiotic factors, identifying freshwater invertebrates, completing scientific drawings, then analysing their data and drawing conclusions. After hearing from people managing the park, students will be using their findings to advise The Royal Parks on how we ought to manage The Serpentine lake in Hyde Park for biodiversity.
The second session is a KS5 data analysis masterclass. Students will see first-hand how research can be put into action. They’ll be studying and manipulating the same data that we commissioned and used to form our actual management plans. Students will learn about the factors at play when managing a large urban waterbody, the techniques we have employed to combat eutrophication in the Serpentine and will analyse photographs to measure the effect of planting reed beds on the water’s oxygen concentration. Using secondary data, graphs and statistical analysis, students will assess the success of our measures against Eutrophication.
With workbooks to complete during the video and two hours of optional post-course resources, students will be able to gain the experience of fieldwork from the safety of their desk. The whole package covering KS4 and KS5 is now available at only £75+VAT.
Plan your assembly
Have you chosen which sessions you’d like to join? You can take a look at our practical information or go ahead with planning your visit by filling out the form below.
If you have any questions, you can also call us on 0300 061 2286 or email learn@royalparks.org.uk.