Chester Zoo is giving away free tickets for children during teacher strike

Chester Zoo is offering free tickets for children during the teacher strike on Wednesday, as the walk-out will affect classrooms across the UK.

The conservation zoo, a popular visitor attraction for families and animal enthusiasts alike, originally made 2,000 tickets available. But as families prepare for a day off work and keeping the children entertained, they quickly sold-out due to popular demand and another 1,000 were made available.

School-aged children can take advantage of the offer, which runs this Wednesday, February 1st, when thousands of teachers will be taking part in industrial action over pay and conditions.

There will be plenty of educational activities for youngsters to take part in as the zoo’s ranger team will be hosting interactive events where children can learn about its mission to prevent the extinction of endangered species.

The zoo hope’s to inspire new generations of conservationists with young people playing a vital role in creating a sustainable future for the planet and its wildlife.

Charlotte Smith, Director of Conservation Education at Chester Zoo, said: “Our education team will be hosting lots of extra fun interactive activities on Wednesday – all aimed at helping educate children about the incredible animals here at the zoo, as well as equipping them with the skills they’ll need to become the conservationists of the future.

“As one of the world’s leading conservation zoos, we put everything into our work to prevent extinction both here in the UK and globally. Our huge team live and breathe wildlife conservation – so we want to give children and young people the opportunity to learn all about how they can help play a vital role in creating a more sustainable future for people and wildlife.”

Staff at the much-loved Cheshire zoo, one of UK’s largest, are supporting a move to see conservation education – including issues such as climate change and sustainability – embedded into the UK curriculum, having already seen it work successfully in the North West.

A range of in-zoo activities will be available at no extra cost on the day. Free tickets will be available on the zoo’s website and must be pre-booked, with children accompanied by a paying adult – you can grab tickets here.