The Bedford Estates, London
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Looking for engaging and inclusive SEND school trips in the UK? SENse the Safari is a purpose-built SEND classroom located at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire, offering a unique educational experience designed to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
As the first dedicated SEND learning environment within a UK zoological setting, it combines immersive wildlife experiences with accessible education, creating one of the most innovative inclusive school trips available today.
Open to schools, specialist learning groups, charities, home educators and private bookings, SENse the Safari provides a welcoming space where every learner can connect with nature, explore new experiences, and thrive.
What Makes SENse the Safari Different?
SENse the Safari has been carefully designed to provide a supportive sensory learning environment that meets the needs of a wide range of learners. Developed with specialist input and informed by the experiences of families and educators, the classroom offers a flexible approach to learning that encourages participation, confidence and wellbeing.
The facility features adaptive workspaces, including height-adjustable benches, lowered sinks and accessible learning stations, enabling pupils to engage comfortably and independently. Climate-controlled spaces dedicated to school trips for children with SEND, include a calming sensory room and decompression zone, providing opportunities for regulation and relaxation throughout the day.
Our SEND-specialist sessions combine hands-on learning with meaningful encounters inspired by the animal world. Activities may include:
- Animal artefact handling
- Tactile and sensory exploration
- Animal food preparation
- Animal enrichment making
- Arts and crafts
- Interactive species talks
- Supervised animal encounters
By combining wildlife education with accessibility-focused design, SENse the Safari offers one of the most distinctive sensory learning school trips in the UK and supports truly inclusive educational experiences for all learners.
Who Can Book SENse the Safari?
SENse the Safari is available to book for:
- Ofsted-registered schools
- Specialist schools and SEND provisions
- Home educator groups
- Registered charities
- Private learning groups and organisations
The classroom can accommodate up to 120 people, depending on individual access and support requirements.
Groups can also hire the space for either a half-day or full-day session, making it suitable for everything from structured educational visits to specialist workshops and community learning programmes. Whether you're planning a SEND educational visit, an inclusive school trip, or a dedicated learning day, our team can help create a visit that meets your group's needs.
As one of the leading specialist school trips in Bedfordshire, SENse the Safari provides a safe, accessible and inspiring environment for learners of all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trust, Recognition and Quality Assurance
'SENse the Safari' builds on Woburn Safari Park's longstanding commitment to high-quality educational experiences and accessibility.
The facility has received media recognition for its pioneering approach to inclusive learning and represents a significant step forward for SEND education within zoological settings.
Woburn Safari Park also holds the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge, demonstrating the quality and educational value of its learning experiences. In addition, the Park has achieved the Safe Practice Mark accreditation from Milton Keynes City Council, providing further reassurance for teachers, coordinators and group leaders planning SEND educational visits.
Together, these accreditations reflect Woburn Safari Park's commitment to delivering safe, engaging and inclusive zoo education in the UK.
Download SENse the Safari Venue Hire Terms
SEND-Friendly Education Sessions
All educational sessions for primary and secondary learners can be adapted to meet SEND provision requirements and individual learning needs.
Groups can choose from a variety of interactive activities and themed learning experiences, including:
- Woodlands
- Arctic and Antarctic
- Deserts
- Oceans
- Messy Play (including eco-slime)
Bespoke themes can also be created on request.
When booking, please let the Education Team know about any allergies, accessibility requirements or whether small parts should be excluded from activities and tuff trays.
SEND School Trips FAQs
- Is SENse the Safari exclusively for SEND schools?
- What activities are available for pupils with SEND at Woburn Safari Park?
- Can we hire the classroom for a full day?
- How do we book an inclusive school visit?
- Is Woburn Safari Park accessible for wheelchair users and pupils with mobility needs?
Is SENse the Safari exclusively for SEND schools?
No. While SENse the Safari was specifically designed to support learners in SEND school trips, the classroom is available to all schools, educational groups, home educators, charities and learning organisations seeking an inclusive learning environment.
What activities are available for pupils with SEND at Woburn Safari Park?
Activities may include animal artefact handling, sensory exploration, animal food preparation, enrichment making, arts and crafts, species talks and supervised animal encounters. Sessions can be adapted to suit different learning styles, abilities and curriculum objectives.
Can we hire the classroom for a full day?
Yes. SENse the Safari can be hired for either a half-day or full-day session, depending on your group's requirements. The space is suitable for educational visits, workshops, specialist learning sessions and community group activities.
How do we book an inclusive school visit?
To arrange a SEND school trip or inclusive educational visit, contact the Woburn Safari Park Education Team through the enquiry form on this page. The team will help tailor the experience to meet your group's specific needs.
Is Woburn Safari Park accessible for wheelchair users and pupils with mobility needs?
Yes. SENse the Safari includes accessible features such as adaptive workspaces, lowered sinks and flexible learning areas. Woburn Safari Park continues to develop accessible facilities across the site to support visitors with a range of mobility and access requirements. There is a wheelchair friendly route from dedicated disabled parking spaces, via the Changing Places toilet, into the SENse the Safari classroom.