Fieldwork at Wytham Woods

Wytham Woods belongs to the University of Oxford and is thought to be the most intensively researched piece of woodland in the world. Hundreds of papers have been published on a huge range of subjects including climate change, carbon fluxes, bats, badgers, birds, mice movement, plant disease and more.

World leading researchers work here and high-profile communicators visit and make their programmes here. We are always keen to share the excitement and knowledge with Biology and Geography students. We have supported schools for KS3, GCSE, A levels, NEA and EPQ, and IB CAS, EE, ESS, Biology and Geography.

The estate includes woodland (ancient, semi-natural, plantation), fen, grassland, ponds, limestone, arable and grazed land. We can discuss with you what would be appropriate for your needs, show you the locations and leave you to conduct your own fieldwork, or we can support you with equipment and/or expertise as you require. Secondary data on carbon, water cycle etc is available.

We provide risk assessments, kit lists, and emergency contacts. There is always someone on call in the Woods, and a first aider on site. Access is simple and there is plenty of parking for coaches and cars.

Our charges are very reasonable and tailored to the circumstances of the school and the students. We normally charge per student, and do not charge students who are being supported financially. We invoice after the event, for the number of students who actually attend on the day, so you don’t need to worry about last minute changes.

If teachers need some confidence building leading fieldwork in this type of environment, we are happy to provide some free training.

We like to provide you with some enrichment activity while you are with us, so like to design a day which includes a guided walk, and time to just enjoy the beauty of the Woods and learn something about the wildlife.

Enquire about booking fieldwork visits, including residentials, by emailing Youth Educator in Residence, Dr Kim Polgreen on kim.polgreen@admin.ox.ac.uk

Feedback from Oxford High School from a Year 12 Biology Student field trip in June 2022

“We had a fantastic, immersive and inspiring field trip to Wytham Woods! We had a brilliant day in the most beautiful setting and an ecological experience that extended far beyond the scope of the A-level specification! Our students left feeling completely inspired and cannot wait to return next week to conduct their own independent ecological research projects. We are so lucky to have such a unique and wonderful place on our doorstep and would highly recommend Wytham Woods as a school field trip destination.”

See Wytham Secondary Data Sources.

For more about Wytham for Geographers see here. Below is the checklist against curriculum that you can cover on a trip to Wytham.

Carbon, water, transects, sampling? We can help build confidence and skills for teachers to run field trips for Geography and Biology, including risk assessment and management, and building identification skills and field knowledge. We offer half day or full day workshops, including bespoke training on specific field work techniques.