Education & Outreach
Real animals. Real learning.
A lesson no textbook can teach.
We're West Lancashire's only multi-species rescue sanctuary. We've been rehoming animals for over 20 years and we think the most powerful thing we can do right now help the next generations of animal owners.
Nine out of ten animals arriving at Woodlands today are here because of a straightforward lack of knowledge about animal ownership. That figure was three in ten just a year ago. We believe education is the most effective prevention there is.
in 10
rescues linked to a lack of basic animal ownership knowledgePlus
years rescuing and rehoming animals across the NorthwestPlus
animals in our care at any given timeHow it works
We come to you - or you come to us
Our sessions are designed around your curriculum, not bolted on to it. We will bring calm, assessed animals into school, or for smaller numbers we can welcome your group to the sanctuary for a visit they'll be talking about at home.
School visits
Sanctuary visits
Cub, Brownie, Scout & Guide
Holiday clubs
Curriculum links
Genuinely curriculum-linked animal based learning
Every session connects to what your pupils are already learning. Animals are remarkable teachers - they make abstract ideas concrete, and they hold a child's attention in an engaging and interactive way that a worksheet simply cannot.
Science
- Animal classification & life cycles
- Habitats & adaptation
- Basic needs — food, water, shelter
- Real-world conservation in action
Maths
- Weights & size measurements
- Currency & addition via care costs
- Real data from our animal records
English
- Creative writing from rescue stories
- Reading comprehension on animal welfare
- Speaking & listening activities
- Vocabulary around animal care
PHSE
- Empathy through rescue & care stories
- Responsibility & citizenship
- Mental health & wellbeing
- Anti-bullying / anti-abuse through animal welfare
Inclusion
SEN-friendly sessions
Animal-assisted learning has had a measurable impact in our community work — improving confidence, focus, and communication in children who sometimes struggle to engage in more traditional classroom settings.
We're particularly keen to support schools with SEN pupils and are happy to adapt sessions to suit individual needs.
Talk to us about your cohort
Every group is different. If you have specific requirements - whether around animal types, session format, timing, or individual pupil needs - we'll do our best to make it work. Just let us know when you enquire.
The partnership
What we ask in return
Our education and prevention goals cannot be met with one off sessions. We are looking to establish long term education partnerships that take children on a learning journey as they age over the years. We are looking to be partners - not presenters with a show and tell.
However, we're also a small, local independent charity. No corporate backing, no lottery millions. Everything we do is funded by people who care about animals - and by schools like yours.
In exchange for our sessions, we'd love your school to support us with a simple fundraising activity. Nothing onerous. Just a bit of goodwill that helps us keep the animals fed and this programme running.
Simple ways your school can help
Any small activity makes a real difference to the animals in our care.
Dress down day
School fair stall
Bake sale
Fundraising day
Sponsored challenge
Coin collection challenges
Book a session
Fill in our short enquiry form and we'll be in touch to arrange something that works for your school.