We offer a variety of teaching sessions to Non-Birmingham Local Authority and Independent Schools at a small extra fee to the standard school admission rate (Birmingham Local Authority Schools should contact the Outdoor Learning Service to find out current teaching sessions and price packages on offer).

The charge to Non-Birmingham Local Authority and Independent Schools is currently £5 per pupil for self guided groups and £5.50 per pupil with a one-hour session per class (maximum 2 classes with a minimum charge of £110 for groups of under 20 pupils plus £1 per adult).

Sessions are subject to availability to Non-Birmingham Local Authority and Independent Schools and are offered to Reception children to Year 11 pupils.  

All our teaching sessions take place either within our glasshouses or outside in the gardens and have close curriculum links including the International Primary Curriculum. 

Please note that we venture out into the Gardens whatever the weather so please ensure that your staff and pupils are appropriately dressed for all eventualities! All sessions are delivered for each class that you bring (maximum two classes) on arrival back-to-back (except tours which are conducted in smaller groups as described below).

Non-Birmingham Local Authority Schools - Key Stage 1 Teaching Session Options

Glasshouse Tours

Take a trip through our four stunning glasshouses, from the arid extreme to the vibrant tropical rainforest. Explore ways that our plants have adapted to different climates and learn exciting facts from our expert guides! Tours are conducted for 15 pupils at a time due to the size of the glasshouses (we can advise you on how many Gardens' staff will be available to lead your tours nearer your visit date so that you can plan your timetable). Glasshouse-based session.

Land Minibeast Explorers (available spring to autumn)

Using our wide range of bug hunting equipment, your pupils will discover what minibeasts inhabit the Gardens. Are they insects? Do they have wings? How many eyes have they got? We will discover lots of exciting information about our multi-legged friends! Finish the session with a parachute game to reinforce our learning (weather-permitting). Gardens-based session.

Mixture of Minibeast Explorers (available spring to autumn)

Give your pupils the opportunity to compare two different habitats. Half of your class will have a go at pond-dipping to discover what monsters live in the watery depths whilst the other half will explore the Gardens for land minibeasts such as slugs and ladybirds, before swapping over half-way through the session. Gardens-based session.

Senses Walk

Enjoy time exploring our plant collection in a different way by exciting your senses! Explore the sights through a mirror walk in the tree canopy, the smells through a smelly cocktail party and the textures through a blindfold activity. Gardens-based session.

Tree Fun!

The Botanical Gardens are home to trees from all around the world. Find out more about them as we take the blindfold challenge to explore their different textures, make bark rubbings and a leaf head crown to take home as a memento of your visit. Gardens-based session.

Art Without A Paintbrush!

This session will encourage your pupils to create natural pieces of artwork in the style of Andy Goldsworthy. We will give you plenty of ideas before venturing out to create our own natural masterpieces! Don't forget your camera! Gardens-based session.

Musical Rainstorm

Have a look at our weird and wonderful plant-based musical instruments from around the world and investigate their different sounds, before making a rainforest storm together as a whole class! Glasshouse and Gardens-based session.

Non-Birmingham Local Authority Schools - Key Stage 2 Teaching Session Options

Glasshouse Tours

Take a trip through our four stunning glasshouses, from the arid extreme to the vibrant tropical rainforest. Explore ways that our plants have adapted to different climates and learn exciting facts from our expert guides! Tours are conducted for 15 pupils at a time due to the size of the glasshouses (we can advise you on how many Gardens' staff will be available to lead your tours nearer your visit date so that you can plan your timetable). Glasshouse-based session.

Tree-mendous Trees!

Work in small groups to discover how old some of our trees are, work out their height using clinometers and have a go at tree hugging! Finish the session with a game about trees. Gardens-based session.

Mixture of Minibeast Explorers (available spring to autumn)

Give your pupils the opportunity to compare two different habitats. Half of your class will have a go at pond-dipping to discover what monsters live in the watery depths whilst the other half will explore the Gardens for land minibeasts such as slugs and ladybirds, before swapping over half-way through the session. Gardens-based session.

Perfect Pollination

This session will cover naming flower parts and finding out the roles that they play. Dissect some flowers to take a closer look at the individual parts and play the pollination game which includes dressing up one of your pupils as a bee! Glasshouse-based session.

Rainforest Backpack Challenge

In small teams, your pupils will have fun following the clues hidden in their backpacks to find out the names and information about our key rainforest plants. Can your pupils work out the secret codeword? Glasshouse-based session.

Natural Art

This session will encourage your pupils to create natural pieces of artwork in the style of Andy Goldsworthy. We will give you plenty of ideas before venturing out to create our own natural masterpieces in our outdoor ‘gallery’! Don't forget your camera! Gardens-based session.

Habitats and Homes

Understand that all organisms within a habitat interact with each other and their relevance in food chains. Take a walk around the Gardens to find evidence of plants, herbivores and carnivores and take the insulation challenge to find out who can make the best and warmest animal home! Gardens-based session.

Musical Rainstorm

Have a look at our weird and wonderful plant-based musical instruments from around the world and investigate their different sounds, before making a rainforest storm together as a whole class! Glasshouse and Gardens-based session.

Green Man Quests

If you would like to encourage teamwork amongst your pupils and set them a challenge then this is the teaching session for you! Your pupils will use our interactive computers that will send them off on a quest to answer around the gardens and glasshouses. Gardens and Glasshouse-based session.

Non-Birmingham Local Authority Schools - Key Stage 3 & 4 Teaching Session Options

Glasshouse Tours

Take a trip through our four stunning glasshouses, from the arid extreme to the vibrant tropical rainforest. Explore ways that our plants have adapted to different climates and learn exciting facts from our expert guides! Tours are conducted for 15 pupils at a time due to the size of the glasshouses (we can advise you on how many Gardens' staff will be available to lead your tours nearer your visit date so that you can plan your timetable). Glasshouse-based session.

Rainforest Backpack Challenge

In small teams, your pupils will have fun following the clues hidden in their backpacks to find out the names and information about our key rainforest plants. Can your pupils work out the secret codeword? Glasshouse-based session.

Cryptic Orienteering

Using maps (compasses are optional), can your pupils find their way around the Gardens and answer the cryptic questions as they go? This trail challenges your pupils with questions about the site and plant collection, encourages teamwork and enhances their map skills, whilst at the same time ensuring that they get plenty of fresh air and exercise! Gardens-based session.

Maths in Plants

Take a closer look at our tree collection to find out more about them; how old are they? Which is the tallest? Which has the biggest canopy? Compare scientific measurements to other ways of finding out about our trees from around the world. This session includes time spent on our Green Man interactive computers that will send your pupils off on a Maths-based quest to answer around the gardens and glasshouses. Gardens-based session.

Green Man Quests (suitable for Key Stage 3 only)

If you would like to encourage teamwork amongst your pupils and set them a challenge then this is the teaching session for you! We will take you down to our secret Green Man Interactive Zone, where your pupils will use our computers that will send them off on a quest to answer around the gardens and glasshouses, before returning to the cottage to see if they have found the right answer! Gardens and Glasshouse-based session.

Art & Photography (self-guided)

The Botanical Gardens makes an excellent venue to bring your pupils to of all ages, together with your Art Co-ordinator to guide them, to spend time sketching, drawing and taking photographs.  Bring your drawing boards and your art materials and capture our unique plant collection, taking the time to explore the fifteen acres of grounds and four glasshouses.

Our annual special rainforest week takes place in December. Meet and touch live rainforest animals and learn more about this special habitat with company Tropical Inc. Phone us for more details and prices or visit our 'Special Events for Schools' section of our website or visit Tropical Inc's own website.