Virtual

Protecting and Restoring Nature with Natural England

Job sector

Agricultural & Environmental

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This programme is open to anyone aged 13+

Certificate of completion

Over 8 hours worth of content

Overview:

Across this course, you will gain an insight into the work of Natural England and its role in protecting and restoring England’s natural environment. You will explore the challenges facing nature today, from biodiversity loss and habitat decline to the pressures of development and climate change, and discover how Natural England works with partners to reverse this. The course also highlights how sustainable planning and nature-based solutions can create healthier, more resilient communities. Finally, you will discover the wide range of careers at Natural England and the skills needed to succeed in this sector.

What’s Included:

Through this Virtual Work Experience, you will explore key concepts, industry insights, and skills that will prepare you for a future with Natural England. You’ll take part in interactive content, quizzes, and fun activities to help build your understanding.

You’ll be introduced to Natural England, discovering who they are, what they do, and why their work is essential for both people and nature. You’ll explore Natural England’s role as the government’s adviser for the natural environment and how the organisation works to protect England’s wildlife, landscapes, and ecosystems. You’ll also be introduced to Natural England’s four strategic outcomes and understand how they guide the organisation’s vision for the future.

Explore why nature recovery is at the heart of Natural England’s work and discover the environmental pressures affecting England’s landscapes, including habitat loss, climate change, and declining biodiversity. You will learn how conservation projects, habitat restoration, and species recovery programmes help reverse environmental decline. The module also introduces the practical actions used to restore habitats, reconnect landscapes, and support biodiversity recovery across England.

Discover how nature and development can work together to create sustainable communities. You will explore concepts such as green infrastructure, biodiversity net gain, and nature-positive development, and how environmental considerations can be embedded into planning. The module also considers how renewable energy infrastructure can help tackle climate change, while carefully balancing impacts on landscapes, habitats, and wildlife.

Explore the wider impact of nature recovery on society, including how access to nature supports physical health, mental wellbeing, and stronger communities. You will discover how nature-based solutions can help create more resilient environments and investigate how sustainable planning has delivered positive outcomes for both people and wildlife. Finally, you will explore how a secure future for nature can support sustainable growth and tackle future environmental challenges.

Explore the wide range of careers available at Natural England, from conservation and planning roles to science, policy, and support functions. You will learn about early career opportunities, including apprenticeships and entry-level positions. The module also highlights the key skills and qualities Natural England looks for, such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and a passion for the environment.

No matter where you see yourself working in the future, strong employability skills will help you get there. This module is all about the key skills that employers value – like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving – and how you can start developing them now. You’ll learn how these skills work together in real jobs, reflect on your own strengths, and make a plan to build the areas you want to improve.

Available dates

On Demand

Programme dates

15th September 2026 - 26th April 2027

Hear from our student community

“

Aqsa Saleemi, Year 12 Student

Thank you for all your time and effort. The program was by far the best experience I’ve had virtually compared to other virtual experiences I’ve done. I liked the layout and the interactive activities, and I learnt a lot I didn’t know. I would definitely recommend this program to others; it was a great experience I would love to do it all again.

“

Sophia Nathwani, Year 11 Student, from Hampton

I enjoyed understanding the many professions and areas within journalism that I had not been able to clearly separate prior to this programme; I particularly enjoyed the photojournalism and broadcast journalism sections, as they allowed me to explore a less conventional writing style than what I would normally use. The interactive tasks were a great way for me to demonstrate and put into practice my new knowledge, and all of the videos were extremely concise and helpful.

“

Stephanie Oseha, Year 12 Student

A huge thank you to everyone who made this programme possible. It was a fantastic experience, and I feel more confident in myself now when applying for a job position in the future and in my personal life. I valued this experience because I realised it was okay to make mistakes and how they make you stronger for future events. I loved how efficient the Barclays team was when students and the professionals who ran the live webinars asked questions. The skills I've learnt through this virtual work experience will be used for future endeavours. So once again, thank you so much.

Frequently asked questions

When will I hear back if I have been successful with my application?

Once you have applied for your programme, you will receive a confirmation email. You will be notified about the outcome of your application via email at least 3 days before the programme start date. Good luck!

Can I apply to multiple programmes?

Yes, you can sign up to multiple programmes with us. The live talks will be available as recordings, so you can catch up on any potential clashes.

Who can take part in the programme? (Age limits, some programmes have location constraints but most don’t etc.)

Most of our programmes require students to be in school/college. Some programmes require students to be based in specific regions of the UK, this is stipulated by the organisations themselves, and is not defined by Springpod.

However, the ages mentioned on our programmes are more of a guideline than a strict limit. As such, we more than welcome older students to apply as well!

How long does it take for assignments to be reviewed?

Assignments can take up to a week or longer to review and be marked complete. Rest assured, it will be reviewed soon and your certificate will be generated once your programme has been marked as complete.

What do I do if I upload the wrong file?

If you make a mistake when uploading a file, please email hello@springpod.com. We will be able to make a note on our system. Don’t worry, the outcome of your programme will not be affected by this.

How long will I have to complete this programme?

There is no specific cut-off deadline for completing your programme (although, if possible, we would encourage you to complete all the work within the time frame, alongside the live webinar sessions).

When does the programme start?

Our programmes have various start dates, you can find the exact date on the programme website page. These are available here: https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/search

You will be notified if your application has been successful, 3 days before the programme start date.

What happens if I can't finish the work experience in time?

All programme material will remain accessible after the end date of the programme. Students can continue to work through their programme after the official end date. Although, if possible, we would strongly encourage students to complete all the work within the time frame, alongside the live webinar sessions.

How much work is required for these programmes? (Will I be able/should I complete more than one programme at a time)?

There is around 10 hours worth of work in total, spread across a two week period. The live talks will be available as recordings, so you can catch up on any work whenever possible.

When do the programmes run? (programme structure etc.)

Once you have access, you can view and complete the material as and when you can, within the time frame of the course in question (for example, within a two week period). In total, there is around 10 hours worth of work. The live talks will take place during weekday working hours. However, all live talks will be available as recordings and the courses can be completed at your own convenience. . There is no specific cut-off deadline for completing your programme (although, if possible, we would encourage you to complete all the work within the time frame, alongside the live webinar sessions).

What happens if I can't make a live talk/webinar?

All live talks will be available as recordings. You can access these at the same link used to access the live event. So don’t worry if you can’t attend a live webinar, a recording will be available for you to access through your programme within 24 hours of the live event finishing.

What software is required for the live talks?

We use a piece of software called BigMarker. It is a cloud based video hosting software. It requires no installations or downloads on your end, and will provide everything you need to join the live webinars through one simple link.

Will I be able to ask questions/do I have to have my microphone on?

You will have a chance to ask questions at the end of each webinar. These questions are typed out and then read to the presenter by the host of the live talk. There is no need to speak, and all student microphones will be muted for the duration of the live webinar.

Do you offer in-person work experience?
We don't directly manage in person work experience but many of our virtual programmes can lead to in person opportunities, look for the programmes marked as 'Virtual to Reality'. You will need to complete the virtual programme and declare your interest via the embedded form.
When will I hear if there is an in-person opportunity?
Our employer partner will contact you directly about any opportunities, timescales can vary Springpod won't be able to provide any updates on progress.

Ready to find out if this career is right for you?

Start now

Protecting and Restoring Nature with Natural England

Kickstart your future

This programme is open to anyone aged 13+

Certificate of completion

Over 8 hours worth of content

Introduction to Natural England

Recovering Nature

Building Better Places for People and Nature

Healthy Communities and Secure Futures

Careers with Natural England

Employability Skills

Available dates

Hear from our student community

Aqsa Saleemi, Year 12 Student

Wilfred Williams, Year 12 Student from London

Sophia Nathwani, Year 11 Student, from Hampton

Ellinor Comard, Year 12 Student from Teddington

Stephanie Oseha, Year 12 Student

Jack Zhou, Year 12 Student from Kingston upon Thames

Frequently asked questions

I have a question about my application or programme eligibility

I have a question about my assignment

I have a question about the programme dates, deadline or workload

I have a question about the live talks

I have a question about the certificate

I have a question about in-person work experience

I want to delete my account

Ready to find out if this career is right for you?