redstarsmith
Well-Known Member
Free tickets for children is a very positive move for the Zoo long term. I think our view of Zoo's are forged in our younger years and once people have a negative association to the concept of a zoo then it is almost impossible to shift. I have no issues with kids going free if this is there only chance of visiting the zoo. For a family of four a visit has now got to be approaching £100 day out and I don't want kids priced out of going.
As a teacher who has led many secondary school trips to Chester Zoo I know what their response can be. As well as highlighting the positives about a Zoo visit I have always read them the riot act before they enter about their behaviour especially towards the smaller kids and animals. The attitude of casual visitors and staff has a powerful effect on the kids. Expect them to be poorly behaved and treat them as such and then can often reward you. Treat them with respect and you will often be pleasantly surprised. I have often seen people being rude and aggressive to students for no reason than there own prejudice and sense of privilege.
In my experience the students are no better or worse behaved than towards or around the animals than other visitors. We must not forget that at this time of year the shear amount of students that visit the zoo on a weekly basis and the general behaviour of most is good if not excellent.
I was really surprised by the new play area between the Dragons and Lions. A lot of our students 12-13 years old enjoyed this area. I also liked the look and design of it.
This year students had stickers, a great idea for identifying lost or poorly behaved students.
As a teacher who has led many secondary school trips to Chester Zoo I know what their response can be. As well as highlighting the positives about a Zoo visit I have always read them the riot act before they enter about their behaviour especially towards the smaller kids and animals. The attitude of casual visitors and staff has a powerful effect on the kids. Expect them to be poorly behaved and treat them as such and then can often reward you. Treat them with respect and you will often be pleasantly surprised. I have often seen people being rude and aggressive to students for no reason than there own prejudice and sense of privilege.
In my experience the students are no better or worse behaved than towards or around the animals than other visitors. We must not forget that at this time of year the shear amount of students that visit the zoo on a weekly basis and the general behaviour of most is good if not excellent.
I was really surprised by the new play area between the Dragons and Lions. A lot of our students 12-13 years old enjoyed this area. I also liked the look and design of it.
This year students had stickers, a great idea for identifying lost or poorly behaved students.
