Paignton Zoo Environmental Park has confirmed that it is now part of the nationwide Growing Schools initiative, which aims to promote outdoor learning.

The 80-acre (32.4-hectare) Devon attraction is planning to run an after-school twilight session in March to tell teachers about the teaching resources on offer at the zoo. Growing Schools is a nationwide scheme funded by the Department of Education and is run in partnership with the Botanic Gardens Education Network.

The programme has developed an award for gardens that provide advice and training for schools, as well as showing how gardens can be used to encourage learning. Image (from left): Paignton Zoo Environmental Park curator of plants Kevin Frediani and educator Catherine Addison