Education Sessions for Home Education children
Sessions are free but do not include zoo entry.
Entry must be arranged separately (standard admission, group bookings of 15+, or zoo passes — recommended for multiple visits).
Live animals are not used in any session.
Bookings for 2026-2027 will open 9am on Monday 11th May 2026
2026-2027 Home Education Sessions
Bookings for 2026-2027 will open at 9am on Monday 11th May
Session Registration
The booking form and full details for 2026–2027 will appear on this page at 9am on Monday 11th May.
We cannot reserve places or accept bookings before this time.
Session times for 2026-2027 are as follows:
5-7 year old sessions:
Wed 1:00-1:45pm | Thurs 12:00-1:45pm | Fri 12:00-12:45pm OR 1:00-1:45pm
7-11 year old sessions:
Wed 2:00-2:45pm | Thurs 1:00-1:45pm OR 2:00-2:45pm | Fri 2:00-2:45pm
11-16 year old sessions:
Wed 3:00-4:00pm | Thurs 3:00-4:00pm | Fri 3:00-4:00pm
Sessions run on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays each month.
The content is the same on all three days.
Each day offers sessions for three age groups: 5-7 year olds, 7-11 year olds, and 11-16 year olds.
Session Topics 2026-2027
Home education classes are designed to build on one another, and you can (if registered) attend all the age-appropriate sessions, or if you prefer, just register for one or two.
2026-2027 Session Dates
| Sept | Wed 9th, Thurs 10th, & Fri 11th 2026 |
| Oct | Wed 7th, Thurs 8th, & Fri 9th 2026 |
| Nov | Wed 4th, Thurs 5th, & Fri 6th 2026 |
| Dec | Wed 2nd, Thurs 3rd, & Fri 4th 2026 |
| Jan | Wed 6th, Thurs 7th, & Fri 8th 2027 |
| Feb | Wed 3rd, Thurs 4th, & Fri 5th 2027 |
| Mar | Wed 3rd, Thurs 4th, & Fri 5th 2027 |
| Apr | Wed 14th, Thurs 15th, & Fri 16th 2027 |
| May | Wed 5th, Thurs 6th, & Fri 7th 2027 |
Home Education Session Terms & Conditions:
Unexpected Circumstances: Sessions are planned in good faith, assuming CZS will be open and accessible. However, dates or topics may change due to factors outside our control (e.g. government restrictions or severe weather). In rare cases, sessions may be cancelled. We will notify participants as soon as possible.
Age to Attend Sessions: Sessions are divided into age groups so we can tailor language and activities appropriately. The age ranges are a guide to help us tailor content. They are not strict requirements. For the benefit of all participants, we request younger/older children not attend if they would be disruptive to the rest of the group.
Adult Supervision: All children attending sessions must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum Class Size: Sessions may be cancelled if fewer than 5 participants are registered (at least 4 days before the session). If this occurs, you will be notified by email and offered an alternative date where possible.
Maximum Class Size: Each session has a maximum of 25 participants. If full, you will be placed on a waiting list and contacted if there are cancellations. Being on the waiting list does not guarantee you will be able to attend the session.
Unattended Sessions: If you cannot attend, please email education@colchesterzoo.org as soon as possible so your place can be offered to someone else. Repeated non-attendance without notice may result in your removal from future sessions.
Sessions are free, but zoo entry is not included. Entry must be arranged separately. Options include paying standard entrance price, group bookings (for 15+ people), or using zoo passes (gold cards) (see above).
