Students go wild for learning at Chester Zoo
Students at City Academy in Birmingham, part of CORE Education Trust, enjoyed an inspiring educational visit to Chester Zoo as part of the school’s Opportunity Day programme.
Year 7 students spent the day exploring one of the UK’s leading conservation zoos, learning about wildlife, habitats and global environmental challenges. The visit gave students the chance to see animals up close while deepening their understanding of biodiversity and conservation.
Opportunity Days are a key part of City Academy’s commitment to providing a rich and inclusive education and form part of the school’s CORE Cares programme, which guarantees students a wide range of experiences designed to build confidence, broaden horizons and support personal development. The school invests around £30,000 annually to fund three events so every student can take part, regardless of financial circumstances.
Raj Mann, executive headteacher at City Academy, Birmingham, said: “Experiences like Opportunity Day are vital for bringing learning to life, sparking curiosity, and giving our students the chance to connect classroom lessons with the wider world. We’re proud to offer these opportunities to every student and to see them develop new skills, confidence, and a real sense of what’s possible.”
The Chester Zoo trip was one of several activities taking place across the school during the day, with year 8 students touring Bletchley Park Museum and year 10s visiting South and City College. Previous Opportunity Days have included visits to historic Shrewsbury Prison, Anfield football stadium and Kenilworth Castle, alongside practical science and fieldwork activities.
The Opportunity Day trips complement the school’s wider enrichment programme, offering students a range of after-school clubs and activities including chess, coding, creative arts and sport.
