Launceston Primary School Pupils Visit Newquay Zoo

A school trip to the zoo usually means a long coach journey, a clipboard of worksheets and a packed lunch. For one class from Launceston, it turned into a day where the pupils ended up doing a fair bit of the teaching themselves.

Children from Launceston Primary School, part of Athena Learning Trust, recently spent the day at Newquay Zoo, swapping the classroom for animal enclosures and a closer look at species from around the world. The visit gave them the chance to explore a range of habitats and see creatures they would normally only meet in a textbook, with the aim of bringing their classroom work to life.

A day of spotting and sharing

Throughout the day, pupils explored the zoo and learned about the animals in its care. Staff noted their behaviour, enthusiasm and curiosity as they went round, from spotting unusual species to swapping facts with their friends. By all accounts it was a busy few hours.

A workshop with Zoo Keeper Mark

One of the standout moments came from a session led by Zoo Keeper Mark, who ran a workshop on food chains and habitats. This is where the pupils surprised the grown-ups. They impressed staff with what they already knew about science, sharing their learning and asking thoughtful questions as the session went on.

Newquay Zoo is home to a wide variety of species and plays a part in conservation, education and wildlife protection. Through interactive sessions and close encounters with animals, it aims to help visitors get to grips with biodiversity, habitats and why the natural world is worth looking after.

The trip was put together to deepen the children’s understanding of ecosystems, animal adaptations and conservation, while encouraging a love of learning beyond the classroom. It forms part of the school’s wider effort to give pupils enriching, hands-on experiences that support what they cover in lessons.

Kate Eyre, Principal at Launceston Primary School, said: “Educational visits such as this provide invaluable opportunities for children to experience their learning first-hand. The pupils represented the school brilliantly throughout the day and showed great enthusiasm for learning more about animals, habitats and food chains. We are incredibly proud of the way they engaged with the activities and the maturity they demonstrated throughout the visit.”