OU graduate Clare’s magical role inspiring children in nature and environmental science

Posted on 29 May 2025 • Graduate opportunities, Jobs, internships and work experience

Clare Thompson, OU graduate and Education Officer at Cuerden Valley Park shares the fulfilment she gets out of her typical day inspiring children about environmental science, nature and outdoor learning. Explore Cuerden Valley Park Trust opportunities including volunteering roles. Read more about environment and development careers, skills and potential employers. Explore volunteering, how it can help your career, how to find and apply for opportunities and how to use your volunteering experience in CVs and job applications.

A Day in the Life: Education Officer at Cuerden Valley Park

There’s something magical about watching a child’s face light up as they discover a plethora of life from a riverbed, watching an abundance of tiny creatures living in a world unknown to most. As an Education Officer at Cuerden Valley Park, I get to witness that magic every day, whilst sharing my love for nature and learning with the next generation.

My day usually begins early, with a walk down to the river to check water levels and wildlife activity before a school group arrives. The River Lostock, which meanders through the valley, is the perfect natural classroom for our primary school river studies sessions. These hands-on lessons cover everything from river features and flow rates to river panning and invertebrate sampling. The aim? To spark curiosity, build environmental awareness, and link outdoor experience with classroom geography and science.

When the pupils arrive, I guide them through a safety briefing and kit them out with wellies, nets, and sample trays. Then it’s into the river—literally. Together, we wade in, measure flow speed using rubber ducks, and gently collect water invertebrates to study in the trays. Seeing children who may have never set foot in a stream become confident and excited explorers is hugely rewarding; especially given that many of our visiting schools come from urbanised areas.

We round up our learning objectives towards the end of the day and get children safely back onto the buses. Last year, the team hosted 54 schools from across the Northwest, equating to over 1200 school children! Sessions are supported by a dedicated team of volunteers who always go above and beyond, ensuring each child gets the most out of their time with us.

It’s a role that blends environmental science, outdoor learning, and community engagement. Every day is different, and every child brings a new question, a new laugh, or a new perspective.

To anyone studying with the OU who loves the outdoors, values education, and wants to make a real impact, this could be your perfect career path.

Explore Cuerden Valley Park opportunities including volunteering roles. Read more about environment and development careers, skills and potential employers. Explore volunteering, how it can help your career, how to find and apply for opportunities and how to use your volunteering experience in CVs and job applications.

Clare Thompson is a seasoned Education Officer for Cuerden Valley Park, specialising in River studies, physical geography and recently qualifying as a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner.  Under Clare’s leadership, the education program has gone from strength to strength, with around 1200 school children visiting the park each year; In addition to a successful series of Forest camps during half terms.

Clare is passionate about getting young people hands-on with conservation and believes this is key to inspiring the next generation of environmentalists.