That should actually read 'A day at the other zoo'. They often say 'never work with children or animals' so today I worked with both - they definitely do not mix!
There were not many animals to be seen to be fair, those who made themselves visible looked as miserable as the weather. Unlike the 180 children from our school added to the 350 from a combination of other schools, who were definitely visible and made themselves heard too! Staff were instructed to stay with them at all times by the zoo keepers - what they thought they might do I have no idea. Most of them were more interested in mating rituals than in looking for the illusive red panda up a tree! They did not take kindly to being stalked by teachers!
Still, the last time I went to Marwell, I spent 4 hours traipsing round the zoo with my autistic charge, looked at everything ( in great depth) then just as we got back to the coach he decided he could not possibly get back on until he had retraced his steps - walking backwards! With only 20 minutes to spare we ran the whole way round retracing our steps, him running backwards and me in advance warning oncoming traffic and pushing old ladies in wheelchairs and babies in buggies out of the way!
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