Ambassador School Resources

To support Peak District Ambassador schools we have created new sets of lessons aimed at connecting your school to the Peak District National Park. We also wish to help schools to understand the benefits of outdoor learning and connection to nature, and have collated a list of useful resources designed specifically to support you to develop your outdoor learning provision.

In addition to our own bespoke resources, we have selected a range of resources from other organisations which provide a wider opportunity for learning and understanding of National Parks, and the nature found in other local outdoor spaces.

We want the Peak District National Park to be loved, understood and supported by schools and communities across the region and we hope these resources support you in that aim.

Peak District National Park, Special Qualities

Primary: What's so special about the Peak District? This lesson introduces students to the basics of what is a National Park? and how do we know what's special about them? This lesson leads on to look at your own location and thinking about what's special. The photos can be used as part of an in school display.

What's so special about the Peak District?: Teachers notes and worksheets (1MB), presentation (3.6MB),  photos (2.8MB)

Primary and Secondary: Peak District National Park Special Qualities display material. These documents can be printed out to use in lessons or as part of a display about the Peak District National Park. There are 7 A5 posters, one for each special quality. TIP: Please set your printer to print as A5.

Primary 7 Special Qualities Display Posters (1.4MB)

Secondary 7 Special Qualities Display Posters (1.8MB)

Primary: The Countryside Code, keeping special places special. This lesson includes teachers notes, worksheets and a presentation to explore how we as citizens can play our part in keeping places special from our schools grounds to National Parks.

The Countryside Code, Keeping special places special: Teachers notes and worksheets (782kb), presentation (4.9MB)

Peat in the Peak

This series of three Key Stage 2 lessons focuses on a very important habitat which we find across the Peak District uplands and beyond. Our peatlands are vastly important for a number of reasons and are also impacted by human activity with both positive and negative effects.

Peat in the Peak 1 – ‘Why is Peat Special?’ introduces these habitats and explores what makes them so important.
Presentation (2.3MB) – Teachers notes and worksheets (923kb)

Peat in the Peak 2 – ‘Peat in Trouble’ takes students through some of the ways humans can impact these habitats negatively leading towards a decision-making activity around how we could change to reduce these impacts.
Presentation (2.3MB) – Teachers notes and worksheets (1.1MB)

Peat in the Peak 3 – ‘Restoring our Peatlands’ shows students the positive impacts people can have on these habitats through restoring them. At the end students can work on a timeline showing the journey from degradation to restoration in one area.
Presentation (3.5MB) – Teachers notes and worksheets (1.2MB)

Peak District Wildlife and Food chains

One of the seven Special Qualities of the Peak District National Park is its important wildlife and habitats. This Key Stage 2 lesson highlights some of the special wildlife that we have in the Peak District, explores how these species are linked together through food chains, and also introduces the concept of how these food chains can be affected by environmental changes.

Presentation (8.9 MB) - Teachers notes and worksheets (1.2 MB)

The Geology of the Peak District National Park

The stunning landforms and varied breath-taking scenery of the Peak District National Park are directly linked to the geology under our feet. This Key Stage 2 lesson introduces the main rock types and major landscape features of the Peak District National Park, and can be used as a stand-alone lesson to learn about different types of rocks and well-known local rock formations, or as a follow-up to previous learning.

Presentation (33.4 MB) - Teachers notes and worksheets (775 kB)

Outdoor Learning Resources

To help schools to reap the benefits of outdoor learning and connection to nature, we have produced a document which contains a list of useful resources (both online and physical), designed to support and encourage teachers to plan and deliver outdoor learning in their school setting and local green spaces.

Outdoor Learning Resources (322kB)

The following resources from other organisations are a good starting point for further learning and understanding:

Connection to Nature and Wellbeing

The Scouts have developed a set of short activities designed to connect young people to nature through the Five pathways to nature connectedness. Most suited to those of primary school age, these simple ideas and activities promote connect, emotion, beauty, meaning and compassion. These have been developed as part of #generationgreen project.

Climate Change and Nature Recovery

Primary and Secondary: Taking part in citizen science projects for young people can be a powerful way to contribute to our collective  understanding. The National Parks UK Look Wild project encourage young people to take part in recording and documenting nature at school, in the local area or in a national park. The project uses the iNaturalist app or Seek app.

Primary and Secondary: The WWF has a selection of resources on climate and climate change designed for schools, Shaping Our Future.

The Family of National Parks

National Parks UK Free downloadable lessons covering a range of subjects, including history of national parks, maps and more.

BBC Bitesize - Let's visit a National Park

Join the Change Champs, Amelle and Daniel, as they travel to the Peak District to learn about different geographical features.

Click on the image below to see the video...