Some areas of the Zoo are CLOSED to allow us to prepare for our Halloween events. ... read more
Until 3rd November, there will be restricted access at Bears of the Rising Sun (lower viewing) and our Elephant Bushwalk will be closed.
From 14th October 2024, our Woodland Hollow will be closed.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Click on a topic, or scroll down the page for more information:
SEND Prepaid Tickets
Are you a SEND school who visits Colchester Zoo frequently?
If so, contact us to discuss our prepaid school tickets for SEND registered special school groups. These tickets give you access to our discounted school rates, but without the need to pre-book your visit so you have the flexibility to visit whenever you’d like, with as many pupils as you’d like!
Complete our SEND Prepaid Ticket request form (click to download) and return it via email to education@colchesterzoo.org to book these open dated tickets.
If you would like to visit on a specific planned date, please complete our standard online school booking form (click to open link)
Accessibility
We have a number of resources designed to help you plan your visit and enjoying your day:
See the general zoo Accesibility page for further details about access around Colchester Zoo:
Classroom Accessibility
All of our learning spaces are accessible to wheelchair users. When booking, please inform us if you have wheelchair users in your group. If there are multiple wheelchair users we may need to assign you to a specific classroom or modify activities to better suit your needs.
Education Session for SEND Groups
This includes the sessions available for SEND school groups to ensure we meet the diverse needs of all our learners. Our sessions can meet the needs of many different levels of learners with a variety needs, whether they are mild or complex learning difficulties or physical, emotional and behavioural needs.
Please ensure you provide any relevant information to our education team when discussing sessions to ensure we can provide suitable learning pitched at the appropriate level for your group.
SEND School Sessions has details about our Explore, Animal Careers, and Animal Enrichment Sessions.
SEND Outreach had details about our educators coming to you.
Additional, many of our school sessions on the main school session pages can be modified to suit the needs and learning outcomes of your group.
If you are interested in booking any of these, please contact the education department education department at 01206 331292 ext. 463 or via email at education@colchesterzoo.org, to discuss your groups’ specific needs and ensure the teaching sessions are appropriate for your group.
Booking Your SEND School Visit
Booking a visit with Sessions
Please contact our education department at 01206 331292 ext. 463 or via email at education@colchesterzoo.org for more details, or to discuss availability and reserve sessions for your group.
Booking a General Visit
If you are just visiting the zoo on a general visit, and you do not want an educational session, complete our online booking form
Booking Open-dated Tickets
If you visit regularly and would like the flexibility to visit whenever you want without pre-booking a visit for a specific date, please see our pre-purchase ticket option for more details.
Carers
Adult carers are admitted free of charge at a 1:1 ratio for any pupils with physical or emotional disabilities, are the subjects of SEND statements or EHCPs, or can provide other evidence of specific needs. Please note that you must declare the need for these carers on the day of your visit based on the pupils who attend on the day.
You may be asked for verification of the need for carers at entry. A letter on school letterhead is acceptable proof.
If you require a higher ratio of carers, please contact us at education@colchesterzoo.org.
Meeting Animals Up Close
None of our education sessions include live animals. If you would like your group to stroke or hold animals this can be done at anytime throughout the day by dropping in to the Discovery Centre, or at set times (see the sign at the building for details) at the Sensation Station. There are also animals visitors can get close to at the ‘Familiar Friends’ Farm section of the zoo. These activities are all drop-in and cannot be pre-booked.
