Education is for life.

The Royal Parks aims to provide, alone or through partnerships, access to opportunities to develop knowledge and understanding of biodiversity within the natural environment.

Also to increase knowledge of the heritage of the parks, and skills of those who work in them.

The vision for education and community engagement in the Royal parks is -

• To provide unique and creative opportunities to engage with the public and enhance their enjoyment and responsible use of the parks.
• To encourage people to enjoy the parks and protect them for future generations.

The Royal Parks are committed to developing a 'life long learning journey' for people by presenting larger and broader programmes. The programmes offered at the Royal Parks vary across the Parks. All activities make use of the uniqueness of each park and are varied to reflect the wide range of audiences. Wherever possible they are hands on experience, following the principle that people learn much more by participation. The activities are mostly led by staff and volunteers.

Our education programmes cater for all ages and offers both formal and informal learning activities that aim to be accessible to all. Two key foci of work are to look at environmental protection and work within the social inclusion agenda.

Our programmes feature National Curriculum linked activities for primary KS1 & 2 and secondary schools KS3 & 4. The core education agenda includes the 'Discovery' programme. There are also guided walks, family activity days and short leisure courses for adults. The Young Gardeners web page has been created by volunteers and is edited by a 13-year-old young lady. It has activities for 8 � 10 year olds, encouraging them to be interested in any green spaces in their area to understand some planting skills and that being involved with nature can be fun.

Our vocational training and work includes the Royal Parks Apprenticeship Scheme, 'Grow in the Parks', which provides courses for professionals and volunteers and work experience placements for adults. The Royal Parks works in partnership with the Prince's Trust to develop interest in land-based skills with 18 � 21 year olds, who have not previously considered of the many occupations a park organisation might offer.

The Royal Parks run a number of other partnerships learning programmes including 'Wild in the Parks' (with the RSPB). This project has initiated short community horticultural courses, supported the development of a community garden and provided outreach support for educational and community engagement projects to four London boroughs.

The education and community engagement team work on a number of specialist projects; one partner is The Holly Lodge Centre, at Richmond Park. Pat Ealey (the Project Manager), works closely with the Royal Parks team. The centre provides access to parks and open spaces for people of all ages with special needs. Facilities include an environmental education classroom, a Victorian classroom, nature trails and ponds and by the end of 2008, there will also be a Victorian chemist shop.

Pat Ealey (The Project manager) ensures that activities are tailored to each groups needs, supported by a team of volunteers.

Nick Lane is the Education and Community Engagement officer based at the Look Out in Hyde Park, also covering Kensington Gardens and Brompton Cemetery. He works on a number of school visits, guided walks, and special projects. A team of volunteers supports him.

Another partner at Hyde Park is the Liberty Drives scheme. These transport buggies are available for people with mobility difficulties but who would like to get around and see Hyde Park during the summer months. The guides teach people about the history of the park and encourage accessibility.

The education and community engagement out reach officers, Hannah Pritchard and Sophie Bryant, are based at Bushy Park. Here the team provides a range of extra support for the HLF restoration projects. One project will refurbish the current stockyard education facilities, another will see the building of a welcome centre with a café and car parking facilities out in the park. There are over 60 projects on this HLF scheme. The workers, supported by volunteers, provide environmental & creative activities and participation opportunities for all people.

An independent charity Companion Cycles supports people with a mixed range of abilities to cycle around Bushy Park and to experience the outdoor park areas. They teach people of all ages new skills in cycling and work towards encouraging independence. Another partner charity the Horse Rangers is also based at Bushy Park. They teach the skill of riding to groups and provide a specialist service for people with special needs.

The education and community engagement team is based at Kensington Gardens and work towards increasing participation especially from excluded sections of the community. The team aim to continue developing new partnerships, more sustainable activities and to ensure that information is freely available to as many people as possible.

Contact details

Toni Assirati	07970 848 018	tassirati@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk
Nick Lane	07815 295 516 after 4pm	nlane@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk
Hannah Pritchard	07969 068446	hpritchard@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk
Sophie Bryant	07966071735	sbryant@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk
Pat Ealey	02089483209	pealey@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk