The Gardens provide a unique service to schools and colleges in the West Midlands and beyond. Pupils are fortunate in being able to experience a wide variety of environments in one place. They can walk straight from experiencing hot and humid tropical conditions into a desert climate and observe changes to plants due to the seasons.

Booking a School Visit (non-Birmingham Schools)

The Study Centre welcomes 15,000 school pupils and teachers each year. Easily accessible from all over the West Midlands region and beyond, booking is simple! For schools outside the Birmingham Local Authority area, please telephone 0121 450 5093. Pre-booking for all school groups during term-time is essential and we can accept bookings for up to two classes per day. There is a charge made for school admissions, payable on the day for small groups of 10 pupils or less, otherwise paid by invoice after your visit. The Gardens have so much to offer for your pupils and pre-visits for teachers are encouraged. All information pertaining to our education programme on offer to schools, together with current prices, are contained within our Gardens' Education Pack.

Risk Assessments

The generic education risk assessment is available below, however we recommend that all visiting schools and other parties complete their own risk assessments relevant to their visiting group, as this will identify any further measures required specific to the needs of the visiting group, such as supervision ratios. Please be advised that you should bring a trained first aider with you on the day of your visit and the Gardens' accident book must be completed if you have an incident on site by a group leader and this is located at the main reception desk.
Gardens' Education Risk Assessment

Booking a School Visit (Birmingham Schools)

If your school falls within Birmingham Local Authority, you should book via the Outdoor Learning Service on 0121 454 0784 or at www.outdoorlearningbham.org.uk. Education Groups such as playschemes or school holiday clubs wishing to visit out of term-time should telephone 0121 454 1860.

The innovative education work at Birmingham Botanical Gardens has attracted much interest both nationally and internationally. It is recognised as a centre of excellence and has played a leading role in the development of education strategies at botanic gardens worldwide. We are delighted to have been awarded a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge in recognition of our high quality education service.

  News from the Study Centre

• Growing Schools Garden Temporary Closure
  From the end of November 2009 until the beginning of March 2010, the Growing Schools Garden will be temporarily closed to schools whilst building work is being carried out. Constructed using traditional techniques, the new straw bale building that is being erected, will be clad in lime daub internally and externally to provide a weather-proof structure. This new teaching and learning space will have views over the surrounding areas including the Stumpery, allowing observation of fauna and flora.
  

  Straw bale building under construction

• Special Rainforest Week
  600 school children of all ages have enjoyed the special rainforest week held in December. Tropical Inc were special guests who taught the children about the importance of rainforests with a range of live animals from creepy crawlies to birds, mammals and even snakes! Pupils enjoyed the rare opportunity to touch and hold some of the amazing creatures that Tropical Inc brought with them to help them to understand the different ways in which animals are adapted to different environments. To support the pupils' learning during their visit, they also spent time observing and learning about the diverse plant collection to be found at the Gardens; pupils studied the vibrant range of tropical rainforest plants such as cocoa, sugar cane and coffee and were able to make comparisons to plants from other world habitats. 

  Skye the genet, Incy Wincy the tarantula and Timone the meerkat all made an appearance!
  Dates announced for this year are Monday 6th to Friday 10th December 2010; further details to be announced nearer the time. Schools should telephone 0121 450 5093 to make a booking.

• Help Needed!
  Are you free during the daytime and like working with children? If so, the Gardens’ Study Centre is looking for new education volunteers to add to the current team. You must enjoy working outside in all weather and have the enthusiasm for teaching children about plants and the natural world. A basic plant knowledge is essential but we will give you the necessary training to be able to confidently lead a group of children and their teachers around the glasshouses and gardens. No two groups are ever the same and the schools are really grateful for any help that you are able to give them to bring the gardens alive. Please contact Tina van Zeller, Volunteer Co-ordinator for an informal chat on 0121 450 5093.  You will be required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (at no cost to yourself). Join the growing team of volunteers at Gardens and have fun!