CERES School of Climate and Nature
Opening snapshot
For CERES School of Climate and Nature, education is grounded in connection, to community, to climate, to the natural world. Their digital presence, however, no longer reflected the richness of that offering. GroundWork partnered with CERES to redesign their website from the ground up. Creating an experience that feels as thoughtful and accessible as the work itself.
The starting point
The existing website had grown dense over time. Information was difficult to navigate, with long blocks of text and limited structure guiding users through key pathways.
For teachers booking school programs, and individuals exploring adult learning, the experience was often unclear and time-consuming. Internally, the team was managing a site that was difficult to update, adding friction to already busy roles.
With funding secured for a new website, CERES needed more than a visual refresh. They needed a considered, user-first redesign that would support both accessibility and growth.
The approach
We began with clarity. Through stakeholder interviews and a full audit of the existing site, we identified what was working, what needed to be restructured, and where simplification would have the greatest impact.
A new sitemap was developed to create clear, intuitive pathways for two key audiences, educators booking programs, and individuals exploring courses.
Wireframes and design concepts were created for key templates, balancing usability with CERES’ warm, organic brand identity. Behind the scenes, we built a structured database within WordPress to house programs, courses, and offerings, creating consistency and scalability.
The site was developed iteratively, with user testing conducted with teachers to ensure the experience worked in real-world conditions. Feedback loops shaped refinement at every stage.
E-commerce functionality was integrated to support bookings, forming a critical part of CERES’ revenue stream.
The transformation
The new website feels like positive step into the future.
Information is clear, structured, and easy to navigate. Teachers can quickly find and book programs aligned to their needs, while individuals can explore and enrol in adult learning courses with ease.
Internally, the team now has the confidence and capability to manage and update the site themselves. Supported by training and a more intuitive backend.
The result is not just a better looking website, but a more effective one. Supporting both user experience and organisational sustainability.
The outcome
~15% increase in conversion rates across bookings
Faster, more intuitive booking experience for both educators and individuals
Estimated ~$600/week in time savings through improved usability and backend efficiency
Reduced no-shows through clearer user journeys and booking flows
Fully mobile-optimised experience
Increased internal confidence managing and updating the website
A digital experience that finally reflects the depth and care of the work behind it.
